Biff Poggi is leaving Gilman Football...

Submitted by ypsituckyboy on

Biff Poggi, father of UM football player Henry Poggi and coach of UM OL commit Stephen Spanellis, is leaving his head coaching position at Maryland football powerhouse Gilman. He has coached there for 19 years. The school has won 13 MIAA A conference championships since 1998. Seems like he's good at his job.

No reports on whether this is just retirement or if he's headed elsewhere, but it appears Michigan would be a distinct possibility as a landing spot. Per a few insiders, Michigan had more spots to fill in the recruiting office than just Partridge's old job, leaving the door open to taking two guys like Poggi/Bush Sr.

DJ Durkin offered him an assistant position at Maryland and he turned it down. I would cackle with glee if he decided to accept a lower position with Harbaugh instead.

Also, Biff Poggi is one of the greatest names ever.

MGoBoard
Football

Toasted Yosties

January 26th, 2016 at 1:29 PM ^

Is it coincidence that Harbaugh is setting up Michigan recruiting hotspots in the middle of divisional foes general geographic area? These recruits would be kids relatively accessible to Rutgers, Maryland, and Penn State. Michigan is obviously in Michigan and near Illinois and Indiana to be considered "close to home."

That just leaves Ohio. Is Harbaugh building up his recruiting clout so he has some ammunition when he starts competing for recruits in Ohio, or do you think he'll continue to stay away? I can't help but think of the off-the-field, and eventually on-the-field,  joy and momentum that would arise from taking the next Charles Woodson or Desmond Howard out of Ohio State's clutches.

Joined: 06/05/2013

MGoPoints: 9261

Ali G Bomaye

January 26th, 2016 at 1:50 PM ^

 I think New Jersey and Maryland present an opportunity because there aren't any power schools that would qualify as a "home team," so it's easier to pry recruits away.  But the vast majority of the time, we aren't going to be recruiting against Rutgers and Maryland. We're developing relationships there to get a leg up on Ohio State, SEC schools, and others who come in to tap those states' top talent.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 17648

Magnus

January 26th, 2016 at 2:09 PM ^

I agree with this. Michigan has still offered some players in Ohio, but not many. And they aren't pushing that hard for them, either. In the meantime, he's going hard after players in Texas, Florida, and California - where there's a lot of talent to go around - and then good players in states without much local pull (Maryland, New Jersey, etc.).

There are talented players all over. It's better to go where you won't be wasting your time.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 165915

Toasted Yosties

January 26th, 2016 at 2:17 PM ^

No question there. My curiosity revolves  around whether Harbaugh strategically pursued recruits in that particular region, quality talent  that might have likely landed at one of our divisional rivals, played any role in his thought process in pursuing them. By your take, I'm guessing you think it's solely coincidence?

I'm not saying all of these guys would have gone to either Maryland, Rutgers, or PSU, only that those schools were likely pursuing these recruits because they are both great recruits and relatively local. If they could land a small critical number, it becomes easier to recruit at their schools in the future, as you have former teammates recruiting future prospects. Rutgers has been undercut, we already have two guys from Gilman, and maybe even Coach Poggi himself. Also, one theme of Michigan's recruiting class is going after PSU commits...off the top of my head, is it possibly going to be 5 by signing day? PSU has a lot of defensive needs and we are poaching some of their fish late in the game. I feel Michigan, in its recruiting strategy, is both strengthening itself and intentionally weakening three divisional foes it will play annually.

I'm just hoping this trend continues in the future when we have a program that looks as shiny to elite Ohio recruits as the one in Columbus.

Probably just wishful thinking.

Joined: 06/05/2013

MGoPoints: 9261

Wall

January 26th, 2016 at 2:04 PM ^

I work at a restaurant in Ann Arbor that Biff frequents when he is in town to watch Henry play. Really nice guy and great family as well. He'd fit right in at U of M.

Joined: 09/08/2014

MGoPoints: 493

sportzfan81

January 26th, 2016 at 2:34 PM ^

Sounds like something is in the works...."considering opportunities at the college level".

Dear Gilman Family,

After nearly three decades as a Gilman coach and two decades as the head coach of Gilman’s varsity football team, Biff Poggi ‘79 has announced that he will be leaving Gilman to pursue another opportunity in football. This decision comes after much reflection and conversation with the School, and it opens up an exciting new chapter in Coach Poggi’s life story. Exactly what that chapter is remains to be seen, as Coach Poggi is still considering different options, including opportunities at the college level. He plans to make that decision in the coming weeks.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 05/20/2011

MGoPoints: 1072

Mr Miggle

January 26th, 2016 at 5:04 PM ^

“I’ve been offered an assistant head coaching position at Michigan and if I can work it out, I would like to do a year there,” said Poggi, who was an assistant coach at Brown, The Citadel and Temple before he came back to Gilman.

I guess we'll see what's up soon enough. It certainly sounds like he's coming here, but that doesn't sound like a one year position.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/high-school/bal-gilman-football-coac…

 

Joined: 10/07/2010

MGoPoints: 47530

MGoStretch

January 26th, 2016 at 8:07 PM ^

So I work with a Poggi family member (not first degree, but pretty close by marriage) and mentioned at work, "I heard your *relative* is leaving Gilman". She gives me a strange look, and says, "wait, really? I didn't know that. But I guess it doesn't surprise me. Where'd you hear that?". I know, cool story bro.

Joined: 03/20/2015

MGoPoints: 8634