D Coordinators: Who's out there?

Submitted by MGlobules on

Two connected questions: Who are the most gifted (upcoming or established) D coordinators out there? Which of them might be lured here/available, under what circumstances?

Edit: Tell us a little about them, what they bring to the table, preferred style, etc. if possible.

Obviously the question(s) are complicated by the fact that RichRod's tenure is precarious, but that--should next year bring success--whoever comes in (if ambitious) could not soon hope to replace him. If I'm erring in these assumptions, let me know. 

MGoBoard
defensive coordinators; available coaches; talent

JC3

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:00 PM ^

I don't think we'll go the Shafer route again, I.E - a young up and coming guy with a building reputation. If it comes to it, Brandon will likely use one of his connections as a former player or someone he knows that is reliable.

At least, I hope.

Joined: 07/17/2009

MGoPoints: 1351

Wonk

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:29 PM ^

Tenuta is the correct choice here. He's languishing in his current sucky job, would love to come here, and would be the perfect guy to be given the reigns of the defense in the form of "defensive head coach."

One terrible Weis-infected year at Notre Dame does not a bad coordinator make.

Joined: 08/24/2008

MGoPoints: 1008

Hoken's Heroes

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:04 PM ^

It's obvious RR has a problem where that his own pals have a tendency to not want to alter what they do for an outsider. No self respecting DC would want to step foot into A2 knowing he won't be able to put in place the type of D he wants to run. As I stated before, if RR brings in a DC, he should let that DC bring his own guys in. Otherwise, RR is just shooting himself in the head for the third time.

Joined: 04/14/2009

MGoPoints: -97672

AMazinBlue

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:05 PM ^

tryouts in the parking lot for corner backs and safeties.  This season on defense is an unimaginable nightmare of injuries, defections and has become a clusterfuck

Joined: 10/12/2008

MGoPoints: 7197

tpilews

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:26 PM ^

I like this: 

The 3-4 defense Rekstis preaches is one predicated on great pressure by the defensive line at the point of attack, a swarming corps of linebackers and strong, athletic defensive backs who seek out contact rather than hiding from it. And that mantra was never more evident than in 2009, when Kent State ranked third in the country in tackles for loss (8.42), eighth in red zone defense (.72), 17th in sacks (2.75) and 20th in takeaways (26).

Joined: 10/17/2008

MGoPoints: 3128

SKIP TO MY BLUE

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:09 PM ^

Aren't there about 20 Stoops brothers out there that would be interested in a DC job? Bob and Mike seem to have panned out. I would hope someone at a TCU or Boise would like the bigger pay and bigger stage to show their knowledge and skills.

Joined: 05/19/2010

MGoPoints: 546

UMICH1606

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:24 PM ^

It is going to take a lot of coin to get anybody worthwhile to come up here with Rich Rod's seemingly year to year job situation and all the drama that  comes with it. UM is behind the times to begin with paying assistants to begin with, so it may cost the going rate, and them some to get anyone notable up here with this environment unless Dave Brandon and Rich Rod compromise on someone within the family. I have long thought it would help Rich a lot in pulling together the past and the present to hire somebody like Vance Bedford or Mike Trgovac, hand them the keys to that side of the ball and stay out of the way.

Joined: 02/21/2010

MGoPoints: 4729

michgoblue

November 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^

If RR stay past this year, then one way to try to unite the factions would be to bring in a DC with strong ties to our past.  That person would not only make a portion of the fanbase happy, but that person would have the support to tell RR to stay the hell out of the defense and let him run whatever scheme he wants. 

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32166

DreadedBackfield

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:25 PM ^

Why not Dave Huxtable, D-Coordinator at UCF? Has a Top 10 defense, with subpar talent. Has held BCS teams like K-State and NC State under 30 pts this year. I'm guessing he has Florida ties especially being around the Orlando area with Dr. Phillips I think he would be a great one to consider

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 326

Topher

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:43 PM ^

KEY POINTS:

1. EIther good position coaches, or a DC who himself is involved in the position coaching points. (This means he has to have the freedom to hire his own PCs, or the HC will back him up if he butts heads with the position coaches.) For whatever reason the fundamental talent development has been horrific on Michigan's defense, really a Charlie Weis-like level of deficiency.

2. A guy who doesn't get greedy and start running schemes too complicated for the technique and talent he's got. It's better to go basic and give the players a chance to hone their fundamentals than to get too complicated, half-ass some high-risk calls and hope getting lucky will make up for talent shortcomings.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 742

TrueBlue88

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:56 PM ^

RR is a offensive mastermind and knows how to recruit/coach O. My biggest concern and frustration with him is he seems to want to influence the defense and micro manage his DC. I loved the Shafer hire and was upset with the whole 3-5-3 force thing! Then I was hoping for a DC that was well known and very much qualified to come to A2 and hire his own staff and get after it. I was happy with the GERG hire at first but was dumb founded when i heard GERG couldnt hire his own staff.  I feel RR is too loyal to his Def WVU boys and that is a issue. I hope DB evaluates the team and if he decides to keep RR (would i really hope he does!) he tells rich he needs to hire a DC and the DC get to put together HIS scheme and his staff! Can you imagine this team if they fielded a decent Defense, would would easily be to 20 team.

Hail

Joined: 10/03/2010

MGoPoints: 157

Ben from SF

November 3rd, 2010 at 12:01 AM ^

Top 10 DCs typically don't leave their programs unless:

  • Offer a HC job.
  • Offer a significant pay raise in a higher profile school.
  • Offer total autonomy under an offensive minded coach.
  • Offer ability to bring in their own position coaches.

Michigan under RR offers none of the above, unless your name is Jeff Casteel.

Joined: 10/08/2008

MGoPoints: 1349

Ben from SF

November 3rd, 2010 at 12:40 AM ^

After saving Fat Phil's ample behind for years, John Chavis has spent the last three years massaging one Leslie Miles' balls out attempts in winning football games at LSU.  Chavis may be ready for a change if Miles ends up getting the ax.  However, I can't see Chavis coexisting with Tony Gibson.

Joined: 10/08/2008

MGoPoints: 1349