Greg Mattison Staying On Comment Count

Brian

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Bryan Fuller

247 is reporting that three different recruits have been contacted by Greg Mattison in his capacity as a Michigan assistant coach within the last day. It's not clear what his role is, but we're going to guess he ends up as a DL or LB coach with either a co-DC or associate head coach title and put him on the assistant board in ink:

OFFENSE Coach confidence DEFENSE Coach confidence
OC Tim Drevno lock DC DJ Durkin lock
QB Jim Harbaugh lock DL Durkin lock
RB Ty Wheatley probable LB Greg Mattison lock
WR Tim Morton probable OLB/DE Roy Manning probable
OL ??? ??? DB Greg Jackson none
TE Vince Marrow maybe ST ??? none

Drevno may take on the offensive line by himself or Michigan may add a dedicated OL coach. Sam says Michigan is reaching out to OL coaches($), including Oklahoma's. Adding an OL coach would either mean that Michigan goes with just four guys on D or Marrow isn't added—I doubt that anyone would go without an RB or WR coach.

Comments

BoFan

January 1st, 2015 at 4:35 PM ^

Two candidates are likely. The guy at Stanford is the best in the country. He followed Harbaugh from SD to Stanford and then stayed. I would say he's unlikely for many reasons. The other guy is the 49ers current asst S and C coach. He followed Harbaugh from Stanford to SF and has Michigan ties and assisted the Stanford guy. One of these two is a lock.

umfanchris

January 2nd, 2015 at 11:17 AM ^

I don't think Barwis was a drop off by any means. I've read many articles that players felt they were in the best shape of their lives after working with Barwis. Also players continually come back to Barwis after their college careers were over because he is so good at what he does. Barwis helped shape Mike Martin and David Molk into the beasts that they are. And they are two of the strongest guys to ever play for U of M. Have never really heard too much about Aaron Wellman and his program though. Wouldn't be sad to see him go.

Mr. Yost

January 1st, 2015 at 4:38 PM ^

OFFENSE Coach DEFENSE Coach
co-OC Tim Drevno co-DC DJ Durkin
co-OC John Morton co-DC Greg Mattison
QB Jim Harbaugh DL Greg Mattison
RB Ty Wheatley OLB/DE Roy Manning
WR John Morton ILB DJ Durkin
OL Tim Drevno DB Greg Jackson
TE Vince Marrow ST ??????

Interested to see who coaches Special Teams.

Mr Miggle

January 1st, 2015 at 6:27 PM ^

with who we get.

I think a big part of the reason Harbaugh's assistants have had so much success is that he knows how to get the most out of them. It's not just having an eye for talent. I suspect we'd have a much higher opinion of the last staff if Harbaugh had been their boss for the past few years.

Thorin

January 2nd, 2015 at 5:00 AM ^

That's the impression that I get with Drevno and Morton too, that they're a team with Drevno handling the running game and Morton the passing game. Wheatley's kid said he hasn't heard from Michigan and didn't have us in his top four so I don't think his dad is coming.

RobM_24

January 1st, 2015 at 4:47 PM ^

Retaining Mattison is almost like retaining the previous HC. Mattison was basically Hoke's AsstHC, and I think they both carried the same amount of respect in the locker room. It should be great for the transition to a new staff, as well as recruiting. Also, it'll be nice to have a guy with inside knowledge of our previous defense playbook, as well as someone who knows the capabilities of the current players on the roster.

treetown

January 1st, 2015 at 5:27 PM ^

From what we've seen from his past record, Harbaugh is a shrewd judge of talent. So I suspect he believes the defense maybe pretty good - good enough to win if they weren't on the field in a bad position. He also knows Mattison and he needs to keep a few people for continuity - it makes sense to keep him.

One final reason is a practical one - he hasn't coached against any Big Ten team in years and Mattison can help him with stuff that's not on the tapes - nuances and peculiarities on each team, stadium and opposing coach.

bluebyyou

January 1st, 2015 at 4:50 PM ^

Win-win for Michigan.  

Michigan owes Mattison money per his contract which the school would have to pay if he  decided to do nothing.  If he went to another program, I'm sure there would be an offset, but most schools don't pay their DC what Michigan does.

On top of that, they get a guy who is a great recruiter and a good coach who knows what he has on the defense.  

Another great move...wonder if Hackett made it happen.  

The only surprise is that Mattison said that he was  at Michigan only because of Hoke.  Hoke is gone but Mattison isn't.  

go16blue

January 1st, 2015 at 4:51 PM ^

Odd that we're still looking at OL coaches. Hopefully Drevno still works with the OL exclusively in practices. The idea of him plus one more coach working with the OL is great, but if we're just bringing him in to run the offense and not so much to do day-to-day OL work, that makes me a little bit uneasy.

turtleboy

January 1st, 2015 at 5:08 PM ^

Sounds like just about all of the offensive assistants being considered could share duties to some extent. Drevno could be OC/OL/RB coach, Morton's been an OC and Wheatley looks like he's in line for a promotion from RB coach, Morrow has been a TE coach and a head coach, and even OL coach target Bedenbaugh has had sustained success as an RB coach in the past.

WhatTheFekete

January 1st, 2015 at 5:01 PM ^

Can someone please clarify for me regarding the number of coaches the staff can have?  Where does this rule come from and what impact does this have on HARBAUGH's staff?

For example: Alabama - 13 positions

Nick Saban - Head Coach
Burton Burns - Associate Head Coach/Running Backs
Mario Cristobal - Offensive Line
Bo Davis - Defensive Line
Lane Kiffin - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Billy Napier - Wide Receivers
Kirby Smart - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Kevin Steele - Linebackers/Special Assistant to Head Coach
Lance Thompson - Outside Linebackers
Bobby Williams - Tight Ends/Special Teams Coordinator
Joe Pannunzio - Director of Football Operations
Scott Cochran - Director of Strength and Conditioning
Tyler Siskey - Director of Player Personnel

Thank you in advance.

Mr Miggle

January 1st, 2015 at 5:08 PM ^

as coaches. There are more jobs too, assistants in S & C, GAs, and SAs, for example. You're allowed ten coaches, a head coach and nine assistants. There are rules on what the different personnel can do. We got into trouble under RR for a QC coach doing too much.  

WhatTheFekete

January 1st, 2015 at 5:11 PM ^

Found my own answer.

11.7.2 Football Bowl Subdivision - There shall be a limit of one head coach, nine assistant coaches and two graduate assistant coaches who may be employed by an institution in bowl subdivision football.

11.7.2.1.1 Weight or Strength Coach FBS - A weight (strength and conditioning) coach may conduct flexibility, warm-up and physical conditioning activities prior to any game and prior to or during any practice or other organized activities without being included in the limitations on number of coaches.