Can Jay Hopson help our linebackers improve?
The best measuring stick for any coach or teacher is whether progress is displayed by their students. Aside from Cissoko's injury-affected debut vs ND, my impression is that in general, all of the position groups on the team aside from the linebackers have shown improvement. Since Stevie Brown is coached by GERG, he doesn't factor into this equation. It is obvious that both Ezeh and Mouton are talented athletes that seem lost on the field despite the fact that they are two of our most experienced players. Add to that an absence of development in Demens and Fitzgerald and one has to wonder, what learning is going on when Hopson works with his linebackers? I tried to think of factors that would call for some leniency but his lack of success with recruiting and rather drab personality have led me to lose my belief in his abilities. Thoughts?
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:36 PM ^
I'm sure that GERG is aware of the sub-par linebacker play, do you think he sits down with Hopson and gives him some direction as far as how he wants Mouton and Ezeh coached?
I don't really understand the dynamics of this relationship, but I hope they get it straightened out soon!
The other position groups have held up pretty well and the (first string) D might even be an asset soon if Mouton and Ezeh progess a bit...
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 PM ^
I think he's got to be under pressure if this continues.
The LBs were OK last year but I'm not seeing it this year.
Also, as a recruiter - he's not helping much. He's brought in 3 3 stars this year and he was the guy who recruited Pearlie Graves and DeQuinta Jones last year (both late decommits). He targeted 10 guys last year and none of the committed.
Don't read this as I'm calling for his head, but he's got to get his head out of his ass.
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:42 PM ^
This has all been brought up before. The most troubling part is that the LBs seem to be athletic, but mentally lost. If this doesn't change, the coach will.
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:42 PM ^
well...lol, i wouldnt agree that "his head is in his ass"...he doesnt have a lot to work with to be honest.. they must recruit better and more athletic ILBs!
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:44 PM ^
Linebacker was considered one of the deepest position groups preseason. I'm just sayin.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 PM ^
No it wasn't.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:41 PM ^
Quoting from the first sentence of Brian's season preview for (backup) middle linebackers, (this justifiably excludes SLB since that position isn't coached by Hopson, who is the topic of the greater thread)
This is about the only spot on defense where there is reasonable depth.Obviously the middle lb wasn't as deep as most positions on offense, but speaking relatively to the rest of the defense, we have cause for disappointment.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
My interpretation of depth is not: two returning starters (Ezeh and Mouton), a converted safety (Brown), and then a bunch of freshmen and sophomores who haven't played. This does not include the Quick, where a true freshman beat out a redshirt sophomore that never played before and a converted tight end.
Are there multiple players at linebacker? Yes. Is there depth? Absolutely not.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:09 PM ^
I don't disagree with that standard although to be fair the freshmen and sophomores slotted to back up the middle linebackers were well regarded prospects.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:33 PM ^
Demens was way overrated, in my opinion. I've never thought he would contribute except perhaps on special teams.
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:59 PM ^
Fitzgerald, Smith, Demens > Leach
I don't think athleticism's the issue.
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:12 PM ^
Glad you are not calling for it...especially since you say it's in his ass.
I'm sure GERG has articulated his expectations. With three walk-ons seeing playing time on the D talent is as much of a problem as technique, and scheme.
I look forward to what will be accomplished when the right pieces are in place on both sides of the ball.
Soon people will be able to bitch and complain on this board about 11-1 seasons.
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:48 PM ^
the days of sam sword, larry foote, are so far away
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 PM ^
One of the most promising things, in my opinion, about our defense this year has been the play of Stevie Brown and Craig Roh. I know that Roh is getting the love, but Brown has looked better than even Brian's UFR seems to acknowledge. What does this have to do with Hopson? That's precicely what has me confused.
On the one hand, Hopson is in charge of coaching the only two starting linebackers with experience, and they both look worse than the two new hybrid/linebackers that he doesn't coach. It really makes me wonder if GERG could get more out of Ezeh (or, knowing GERG's affinity for hybrids, if he might not do something crazy like move the guy to DE).
On the other hand, it's not as if Hopson ever got a chance to coach these two, so maybe it is unfair to use their successes against the guy. Certainly, both players are athletically superior to last year's linebackers (I still love you Johnny Thompson!).
In the end, I think the decision may resolve itself. Last year we were talking of Hopson having eyes on the DC spot, and this year his role has been reduced to coaching only two guys (and getting grief for it). Were I him, I'd probably be primed to leave for a DC spot at a school in the WAC before my reputation takes more of a hit. It wouldn't surprise me if this is where things are headed.
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:05 PM ^
Nevermind
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:42 PM ^
"Michigan fans will not like this, but Hopson’s defenses seemed to suffer from complete paralysis, mental and physical, against offenses that require more discipline than baseline reading and reacting."
Uh, I guess that is really accurate analysis or an incredible foreshadow that describes our LB play exactly. I am losing a warm and fuzzy thought that this may improve sometime soon.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:48 PM ^
...that was the quote that I focused on, too. Urrgh.
Things can change in a hurry if guys are put in a position to succeed, though. E.g., Stevie Brown, who is playing great this year. I still think that Ezeh and Mouton can be great. My tingling concern is that an ILB is an ILB, with pretty much the same reads & responsibilities, no matter what the scheme.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:24 PM ^
Was brought in to be an Ace Recruiter of the South, particularly Mississippi. So far, failure. Coaching? He has done most of his work with DB's IIRC.
Bruce Tall is another guy to wonder about. Coached DB's in the past, and either hasn't ever, or at least not for awhile, been a defensive line coach. Plus, he doesn't recruit.
Anyone been thrilled with the Dline play over the last two years? If not for Brandon Graham--YIKES! ZOINKS! More Yakketty Sax moments.
We lose Graham next year. Of all the guys Rodriguez let go from Carr's staff, Steve Stripling might have been the one to keep.
But on he Hopson front, I hope hisdays are numbered. He's been a bust.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:20 PM ^
Let's keep in mind that recruiting the deep south is not easy. You could put your best diplomat in charge of making peace with Iraq - that doesn't mean it's going to happen.
As for the defensive line, I think people have been pretty impressed with Mike Martin, too. Nobody's been a great fan of Ryan Van Bergen, but he's undersized, too tall, and playing out of position. I'm not going to hold that against Bruce Tall.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:48 PM ^
There's a flaw in the thinking here - recruiting the South MAY be hard, and Hopson's failure there may not be an indication that he's a poor recruiter - I agree with that.
BUT, if recruiting the south is something of a lost cause, why even devote the resource to it? If the argument for keeping Hopson is "recruiting the south is hard", and Hopson's PURPOSE on the staff is "recruiting the south", then why is he here if he fails at it? You either bring someone in who can, or you bring someone in with a skill-set superior in ways Hopson is deficient. He may be a great recruiter, but a horrendous one can produce the same results he has - if Hopson was a B coach and an A recruiter, but his territory nullifies his quality as a recruiter, you may as well go get an A coach, because a D recruiter can do just as well as he has.
I'm not saying any of what I've said is true - I have no idea if Hopson is even here to "recruit the south" or not. But your logic doesn't quite follow.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:23 PM ^
It's not my logic. I'm just saying the south is difficult to recruit. I don't know if that's the main reason he's on the staff or if he sucks as a recruiter or what. My lone point is that recruiting guys from places like Mississippi and Alabama verges on a fool's errand.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:26 PM ^
I think that's why they have re-tasked Hopson to the midwest for most of his recruiting base. He is no longer recruiting the deep south but has focused on Ohio (as you will see that's where 2 of his recruits are from this year). So I think his results as a recruiter have been hampered somewhat, first a difficult area and then a new area. But I agree with your general premise, if Hopson can't be an effective recruiter then you have to think about what his role really is on the staff.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:53 PM ^
"the south is something of a lost cause" Been hearing that one for a while. Times was we could send some carpetbaggers down there and make a pretty profit
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:47 PM ^
Honestly we have Two converted safetys, a coverted fullback, 2 4 star linebackers and a walkon. The 4 stars as on now arent there mentally and are redshirt freshman. The one safety and the fullback are our starters, the other safety just switch in the fall to lb. I understand our linebacker play sucks but honestly how much of that falls on Hopson? We have a grab bag of players with only two true linebackers. Plus players dont always live up to their rating. I honestly dont think pressure should be applied til we actually have good true linebackers and depth.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:01 PM ^
Mouton converted from S to LB immediately upon entering college. He's now in his fourth year of college. Calling him a converted safety is a bit misleading.
Ezeh also moved to LB immediately upon entering college. He's also in his fourth year of college. Calling him a converted fullback is a bit misleading as well.
J.B. Fitzgerald was a 4-star, but he's not a redshirt freshman. He's a sophomore.
Steve Brown didn't switch to LB in the fall - he switched in the spring.
Your post is full of errors.
If you're looking for only "true linebackers" then you're going to be waiting a long time. Isaiah Bell was a safety in high school. Brandon Smith was a safety in high school. Marvin Robinson is a high school safety who might play LB at Michigan.
Historically, Prescott Burgess was a safety in high school. Ian Gold was a running back. I think Shawn Crable was a defensive end. We might never have an entire stable of "true linebackers."
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:22 PM ^
...gives me warm & fuzzies about snagging Aramide Olaniyan!
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:31 PM ^
That's not really that relevant because Tony Dews is the primary recruiter for Olanyian. Positional coaches certainly matter but he's not in charge of the recruitment there.