Chuck Heater
Hey, this is my first thread on the mgoboard, so go easy on me. So basically, I want to start a dedicated discussion of Chuck Heater, whom I think did an excellent job at Florida under Meyer and is, in all sense of the term, a "Michigan Man."
I'm going to suggest him for either HC or DC, and ask the rest of you not only whether you think he's someone we should bring on board, but whether he's better suited to the vacant HC and DC positions.
Here's my reasoning:
1. DB wants someone who "understands the Michigan way" and our rivalries. CH obviously does.
2. The shadowy alumni who allegedly never warned to RR because he wasn't "one of us" would have no excuse. Of course, this may be apocryphal, but certainly these "shadowy forces" are represented at the Freep (even if one of them coats his sentiments in snide comments about the Ann Arbor "wine and cheese crowd").
3. While he doesn't have head coaching experience, he was a major force on the defensive side for one of the most wildly successful staffs in recent history.
4. He's low-profile and doesn't carry the baggage that Les Miles does.
5. He's been a part of a more consistently successful program than Hoke has.
6. He experience recruiting and coaching on the collegiate level, unlike Gruden.
7. As HC, he would presumably bring in someone running an offense like Florida's, which would fit our personnel.
...there are serious negatives as well, particularly lack of head coaching experience, and only one year as "co-DC." These may be prohibitive, a question I kick over to you. If so, however, would he be a good DC candidate for our next HC?
January 9th, 2011 at 4:16 AM ^
Always a bridesmaid, never a turkey sandwich: behold the assistanceships accumulated by this duder:
1976
1977–1978
1979–1981
1982–1984
1985–1987
1988–1990
1991–1992
1993
1994
1995–1997
1998
1999–2001
2002–2003
2004
2005–2007
2008–2009
2010 Northern Arizona (RB)
Toledo (RB)
Toledo (DB)
Wisconsin (DB)
Ohio State (DB)
Notre Dame (DB)
Colorado State (DC)
Colorado (RC)
Colorado (DB)
Colorado (TE)
Colorado (TE/RC)
Washington (CB/RC)
Washington (RB/RC)
Utah (CB/RC)
Florida (CB/RC)
Florida (ADC/S)
January 9th, 2011 at 4:24 AM ^
I am sure DB has thought of this and, best I can tell, Heater has not yet been offered a position by Muschamp. I think there is a good chance he could end up back in A2 on the defensive side, but not so sure as HC (at the press conference, DB indicated he would prefer someone with HC experience for the top job).
January 9th, 2011 at 4:25 AM ^
That he'd be named HC, based on DB saying he wanted someone with major HC experience. But I tend to think CH--alongside a promising young spread-option OC--is a more creative risk than many of the other names being bandied about. I mean, Carr was a lifelong assistant and he posted a 122-40 record. For all the complaining about Carr that went on after the Horror, I'd be very happy to see us back at his level of consistent success. Even happier to see us exceed it, of course. Heater is a risk, but then again, so is everyone else. I think he has tremendous upside.
My one concern is that Carr at least had 3 years experience as a DC. Heater has one as co-DC.
January 9th, 2011 at 4:52 AM ^
Just reading the tea leaves, I think Miles will be hired as HC. I also think Miles and DB will spend the next couple of days in Dallas interviewing potential coordinators and position coaches.
Unless Miles is crazy, he will push hard to bring his DC (John Chavis) with him to Ann Arbor. Chavis makes $700k plus incentives at LSU and Texas is rumored to have made a run at him recently for $1 million but he turned them down. If Bo Pelini replaces Miles, Chavis will want out and many schools will want him. We should pay to get him (he is not only a great DC but also an amazing recruiter), but if we can't get him to come North I think the next two logical choices are Chuck Heater and Mike Trgovac. I have no idea whether either will come, but both are good coaches and will be relatively expensive compared to what we are used to paying.
Paying a HC $4 million a year is a waste of money without good assistant coaches and I am confident DB understands this. I only hope he can convince MSC. The total price tag to move up to elite level coaches is much higher than many people think.
January 9th, 2011 at 4:26 AM ^
I think he will make a good DC, I'm not too sure about HC.
January 9th, 2011 at 9:35 AM ^
January 9th, 2011 at 4:44 AM ^
I wonder how many of us had to google Chuck Heater after reading this to find out who the hell he is.
January 9th, 2011 at 4:48 AM ^
heater, heater, nine milimeter
January 9th, 2011 at 4:45 AM ^
Maybe it's just me, but it sounds like we should have hired Chuck Heater as our new DC, and kept Rich Rod as our coach.
January 9th, 2011 at 7:31 AM ^
RR was willing to let his long-time defensive assistants go. Knowing what I know about him, I doubt he would be.
January 9th, 2011 at 7:03 AM ^
Heater was FLA's recruiting coord. for a while as well. That's big in my book. In that position he'll have contacts galore all over the country but most importantly in the South. I know recruiting the midwest and Michigan is important, but not more important than recruiting the south.
January 9th, 2011 at 7:25 AM ^
Along with Colorado and Bill McCartney during CU golden era. I wonder if he had a hand in recruiting Michael Westbrook right from under our noses (Ruined my week).
January 9th, 2011 at 7:31 AM ^
January 9th, 2011 at 7:54 AM ^
...how often Michigan and Heater have crossed paths during his coaching career:
- OSU and ND in the mid to late 90s (numerous storied games)
- CU - Kordell Stewart to Michael Westbrook game
- UDub - Brabbs winning FG game
- UF - Cap One Bowl (LC's final game/Tebow beat down)
Heater combined with an innovative OC could work, but it would be quite a risky move for Brandon. As suggested above, he certainly should be on the short list of potential DCs given his success at UF and his recruiting chops (especially in FL and the southeast).
January 9th, 2011 at 8:43 AM ^
I have been suggesting Heater forever, but not as HC - DB said he would want HC experience, which Heater lacks.
But, he could be a DC candidate or a secondard coach. He is another great recruiter, obviously has Florida connections and is well respected. I would love to see him as part of the following coaching staff, which, if it came to fruition, would partially restore my belief that DB has a pimp hand:
HC - Miles
DC and asst. coach - Hoke, as coach in waiting behing the 5-years-older Miles
QB coach - Loeffler
DB coach / recruiting coordinator - Heater
S&C - either keep Barwis or Hoke brings his guy who seems equally good
WR - Campbell returns
January 9th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^
We are not in meetings or in practice, I really dont know how as fans we can determine which coordinators are quality ones and which coordinators are not. Sure, a team who is wholly unprepared etc might be a decent indication but, otherwise who knows.
Look, Michigan's defense was awful, absolutely awful this year. Does this mean that GERG was a "bad coordinator"? I dont necessarily think that he is, I have no idea. Does/did he need to be fired? Of course he did, but it doesnt mean he was not a quality coach. This same logic applies to Heater and other assistants. Because Florida Defenses had great numbers does it mean Heater is a good coach? Not necessarily.
January 9th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
Given David Brandon's statement about Michigan paying middle of the road wages, I am hopeful that he is about to ignite the arms race we all know Michigan can win (enough of this crap about looking out for the little guys' athletic budgets and parity...)
Les Miles HC
Gus Malzahn OC
John Chavis DC
Drop $5.5mil on the Mad Hatter, and $1.25mil on each of the coordinators. I don't care if that adds up to $8mil, because in football terms it adds up to dominance.
And bring in Loefler, Heater, Teryl Austin and Vance Bedford. And pay to keep Barwis. Make it rain on 'em Dave, make it rain.
January 9th, 2011 at 11:21 AM ^
January 9th, 2011 at 10:47 AM ^
Give him the Heater.