defensive coordinator search
don brown

Official: Michigan Hires DC Don Brown Comment Count

Ace


Straight out of football coach central casting.

It's officially official: Michigan formally announced the hiring of Boston College's Don Brown as defensive coordinator. From the press release:

University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday (Dec. 21) the hiring of Don Brown as defensive coordinator. Brown will start his appointment with the program after the conclusion of the bowl season.

"We are very pleased and happy to announce that our top candidate and number one choice, Don Brown has accepted our offer to become defensive coordinator," said Harbaugh. "After a very thorough search and talking with those I respect the most in this game, including Jack Harbaugh, John Harbaugh, Bill Belichick, Bob Sutton, Vic Fangio and others, it led me to Don Brown. Everything he has touched has turned to gold. Just look at his track record as a head coach, defensive coordinator and even as a baseball coach. We are beyond excited to welcome this high character, high achieving individual to our program and university. Teaching and player development are synonymous with coaching and Don Brown epitomizes those qualities."

Brown spent the past three seasons coordinating the defense at Boston College (2013-15). His 2015 defense currently leads the nation in eight defensive categories -- total defense, rushing defense, scoring defense, red zone defense, first down defense, third down defense, fourth down defense and tackles-for-loss -- and lists second in pass defense and pass efficiency defense.

Brown was named the 2015 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year. He was nominated for the Broyles Award which honors the nation's top assistant in college football the past three seasons.

At BC, Brown directed one of the best defenses in the country, on par with Alabama's and Michigan's despite a massive talent gap between those programs. His hiring has received universal praise; we'll have more on that later this afternoon.

Comments

OC Alum91

December 21st, 2015 at 12:41 PM ^

1.  "our top candidate and number one choice"

2.  Also like that ACC beat writers are happy he's leaving the ACC

3.  "His 2015 defense currently leads the nation in eight defensive categories"

good stuff for helping the perception of the hire.  Perception isn't everything, but it is important.

Now let's follow it up with results.

Joined: 02/05/2015

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mGrowOld

December 21st, 2015 at 12:42 PM ^

"After a very thorough search and talking with those I respect the most in this game, including Jack Harbaugh, John Harbaugh, Bill Belichick, Bob Sutton, Vic Fangio and others.....

Gotta give mad props to Jimbo.  When he ran out of Harbaugh's to ask for advice he definitely knew where to turn.

Joined: 10/04/2010

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dragonchild

December 21st, 2015 at 12:49 PM ^

I do wonder how a guy used to cobbling respectability from spit and duct tape will handle four-star talent.  Sometimes they don't quite know how to make the best use of it, though the floor is generally what they did with the inferior talent, which in this case ain't bad at all.

BTW someone tell Eraserhead that Jack Nance is still alive.

Joined: 10/13/2011

MGoPoints: 61041

evenyoubrutus

December 21st, 2015 at 12:53 PM ^

There are some very strange comments going up here. I think people are looking for some magic algorithm that will determine whether the guy can field an elite defense or something. He definitely passes the eye ball test. The biggest question is whether the appropriate adjustments can be made when your first game plan isn't working.

Joined: 11/04/2008

MGoPoints: 178381

WeimyWoodson

December 21st, 2015 at 12:53 PM ^

which coach won't be back next year?  Doesn't this set us over the top for allowed coaches for next season?  Will Chris P go back to being a recruiting coordinator, or will UM lose someone else?

Joined: 08/25/2015

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SharkyRVA

December 21st, 2015 at 12:56 PM ^

Landed our top candidate, consultations with huge names, acknowledging the defensive stats, high character...  Harbaugh is the master at building buy in and momentum. Go Blue!

Joined: 10/01/2015

MGoPoints: 1228

nMkaczor

December 21st, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^

... But how good is he against spread to run teams? Held NIU to 14 but Clemson put up 34. Clemson is probably the closest to Ohio State in terms of scheme and talent, so I won't be fully satisfied unless we beat the Buckeyes in Columbus next year.



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Joined: 08/23/2013

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Indonacious

December 21st, 2015 at 1:34 PM ^

Looking at the drive summary for the BC offense that game for some context to that defenseive performance...it has got to be extremely diificult to play against basically a top 10 offense in Clemson without any rest and with a notable talent differential.
 

3 plays (1 yard) 2:07

4 plays (20 yards) 1:52

7 plays (13 yards) 2:18

6 plays (18 yards) 3:19

3 plays (1 yard) 1:02

3 plays (0 yards) 1:31

6 plays (39 yards) 1:14

5 plays (20 yards) 3:06

5 plays (42 yards) 2:14

3 plays (3 yards) 2:40

5 plays (20 yards) 2:34

3 plays (-4 yards) 0:40

9 plays (68) 3:16 (Last drive of the game in garbage time)

Joined: 01/03/2012

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GoBlueinEugene

December 21st, 2015 at 1:02 PM ^

I can imagine the conversation with the ever ebullient Belichick:

Harbaugh: This DUDE Don Brown, I love this guy! Everything he touches turns to gold! My man Bill, you feel me or what? This is THE dude I want as my DC, right???? 

Belichick: Yep.

Harbaugh: Bill my man, I LOVE your enthusiasm! I knew you'd love this pick! 

Belichick: Yep. 

Joined: 11/13/2010

MGoPoints: 5061

samsoccer7

December 21st, 2015 at 1:12 PM ^

Given that Belichek is basically in Boston, I'm sure he's heard of, or met, Don Brown at some point these last few years.  He's probably at least seen some film and highlights too.

Joined: 07/08/2008

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MGoRob

December 21st, 2015 at 1:15 PM ^

Not sure if this has been stated but with his age, there's probably no way he'd be looking for a HC job.  So basically, this looks like a perma-hire to me, until he retires.  I wonder how the dynamic will be with Mattison though.

Joined: 03/14/2010

MGoPoints: 4429

Don

December 21st, 2015 at 1:18 PM ^

was on Sam Webb's show this morning. Among other things, he said that practices will be R-rated with Brown running the show... apparently he's a connoisseur of harsh language. I wonder if we can get Justin Boren down here to flop on his fainting coach again at the sound of a few expletives.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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Wolverine In Iowa 68

December 21st, 2015 at 1:51 PM ^

On the second to last day before Christmas, Jim Harbaugh gave to me.....

12-0 regular season
11 studs on defense
10 Spartans crying
9 awesome coaches
8 Urbans whining
7 points per possession
6 pick sixes


5....star....recruits....


4 sets of khakis
3rd down conversions
2 Woodson comparisons

 

and....


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