CBSSports.com: Mattison 96th "Most Influential" in College Football

Submitted by Raoul on

To mark 100 days remaining until the beginning of the college football season, CBSSports.com is running a list of what it calls the "100 most influential players, coaches, administrators, venues, or any other related things in college football." The list is being revealed 10 at a time, and in the 100-91 rundown, Greg Mattison appears at #96:

96. GREG MATTISON, defensive coordinator, Michigan. One could certainly make the argument that it was the continuing ineptitude of former defensive coordinator Greg Robinson that cost former head coach Rich Rodriguez his job in Ann Arbor. After all, Robinson's latter year spearheading the Wolverine defense was, by far, the worst in points allowed in Michigan history; the former was the third-worst (and just for good measure, the second-worst season came in Rich-Rod's first season, with one-and-done Scott Shafer as DC). Yes, Michigan has an unusually stingy history of defense, but that's just the thing: Michigan fans have every reason to expect that stingy defense. That's just how it's done at Michigan.

It'll be up to Mattison, then, to keep Brady Hoke's seat cool, and he's got the pedigree to do it. Mattison is entering his 35th year of assistant coaching defense and his 16th as a defensive coordinator, and he's been a part of some very successful defenses (Florida's '06 BCS Championship team, for one). Fans shouldn't expect miracles and shutouts on Day 1 or even in Year 1, but they're going to need to see some sense this year that Michigan's old way of football is coming back. Getting the points per game allowed back under 27.5 for the first time since 2007 would be a good start. -- AJ

Note also that Gunner Kiel appears at #98, and San Diego State's Qualcomm Stadium is #92.

In the 90-81 rundown, Marcus Coker (running back, Iowa) is #84, and Declan Sullivan (late student videographer, Notre Dame) is #82.

Any thoughts on other Michigan-related people or things that should appear on the list? I would argue that the first night game at Michigan Stadium should rank pretty high.


Addendum: The just-released 80-71 rundown includes Kirk Cousins at #80 and Joe Paterno at #79.

By the way, for those criticizing the concept of this list, I don't think it was intended to be taken that seriously. The inclusion of Mattison in the first ten that were revealed seemed to make it worth posting here. I think "most influential" is a misnomer--it seems to me this is really a list of the top story lines for the upcoming football season.

MGoDC

May 27th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^

Uh...this list seems extremely dumb even for ESPN. If a highschool senior who will probably redshirt this year and a non-AQ stadium of a relatively insignificant team make the top-100, why isnt EVERY current starter/coach in the top-100 and EVERY stadium of a team that is relevent in the list. Horrible, horrible failure.

Farnn

May 27th, 2011 at 11:18 AM ^

Big House, winged helmets, and Denard Robinson all could/should make the list.  I'd like to see the mustache finger tattoo too, but I doubt it will make it.

GoBlueInNYC

May 27th, 2011 at 11:36 AM ^

The Qualcomm inclusion is pretty weak. Plus, after saying this, "Thanks to years of incompetence from its regular Aztec tenants," they make no mention of the fact that SDSU is poised to have a good-to-great seasn because of the team Hoke put together?

Maybe Hoke will pop up higher in the list, and get some love there. Or maybe I just demand that all college football writing include as many Michigan connections as possible.

Noleverine

May 27th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^

Id like to see the banner or victors make it. The greatest fight song in college football? The players all jumping to touch the banner, one of the more recognizable traditions around. yes please.