DC Search- HC Search Debacle Over Again
For as much complaining that was done during the HC search, what the hell is going on with the DC search? With recruiting time slipping away, getting a DC on board to speak with our wavering recruits (e.g. Countess, Crawford) would seem to be critical.
As we move into week 2 of the Hoke regime, what could possibly be taking so long? We have the big free agent in Shannon, who doesn't seem to be moving anywhere at this point. If we're getting Bedford, why hasn't he moved over yet? If it's Austin, then there's no excuse as he's just hanging out. If we're taking a DC from another college team, I'm sure even that team would like to know in order to fill their spot before recruiting.
At this point, the only thing that would make sense to me is if we're taking someone from a team that is/was in the playoffs. The three most obvious choices in that group would seem to be Greg Mattison (DC, Ravens), Mike Trgovac (DL, Packers) or Jon Hoke (DB, Bears). But even then, there's nothing stopping any of those guys from accepting a job while still continuing to work with their teams (like Weis did after he took the Florida OC position.
While not at HC frustration yet, this is slowly getting there for me.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:47 PM ^
I certainly hope he's working harder than all of us--figuratively and literally--as none of us are "working" when we're posting, and none of us are running a major college football program.
The same way the HC "process" gave us Brady, it's starting to look like the DC process will bring along the other Hoke--there not really being a process at all.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^
This dude should have been hired as the HC, as long as he didn't make the players "stay thirsty".
January 17th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
Yup...uh-hu...
January 17th, 2011 at 2:46 PM ^
Keep in mind Trgovac might very well be coaching a Super Bowl in a couple weeks, so he might not want to bail right now. A Super Bowl ring is not something you have the chance for every year.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:01 PM ^
just got bounced Saturday
January 17th, 2011 at 2:47 PM ^
I think they already hired a DC, but they won't announce it cause they like messin' with you.
January 17th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^
A return to Ft. Schembechler!
January 17th, 2011 at 2:48 PM ^
...Hoke just needs to move on. At this point its "Best available *NOW*" rather than best. No one in the playoffs will move now as Charlie Weiss's signing that contract is now partially blamed for how KC played in that playoff game offensively.
January 17th, 2011 at 2:51 PM ^
why can't we wait? Say we lose out on 5 recruits bc of the defensive coordinator spot not being filled, who cares. In the long run, the best defensive coordinator that we can get will help more then a couple of players that would or wouldn't chose us in the next two weeks. Chill out
January 17th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^
...we aren't in an ideal situation and considering that recruiting is about 70% of modern college football (if you get the recruits you'll get at least 9 wins unless you are a complete moron in player development and in-game management), well, its better to have a decent choice in *now* rather than a perfect choice in 2 weeks when our D recruiting is down to like 5 guys...
January 17th, 2011 at 3:06 PM ^
I'm glad you're not my CEO.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:46 PM ^
Finish this class the best I can, and roll over a few scholarships for next season, which is said to be a very deep class in the mid-west, especially in Ohio. I'll be impressed if Hoke can get 15 this year, and I'd rather have a great DC than Kris Frost and Dallas Crawford, that's for sure. I'm for the future!
We need to look beyond this class.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:13 PM ^
in its ignorance.
It's better to get some clown who Hoke does not want and may not do a decent job and be saddled with several years, or we can get, you know, a good dc who is wanted and have him for several years. At stake? A couple recruits who may/may not develop as anticipated.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:25 PM ^
...but competent DCs who could do a solid job are out there in the 10s and 20s this off-season and could be relatively easily had. The cost is an entire defensive class which you might not notice now but which you will notice heavily in 2-3 years. Just saying.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:30 PM ^
I think you are underestimating the logistical difficulties involved in interviewing coaches from different parts of the country and convincing them that it is worth it to move to Ann Arbor to work here. Most of the successful DCs are pretty comfortable where they are.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:32 PM ^
So you really think that half of one recruiting class on one side of the ball is better than the best DC we can get? I'm hoping we don't have to make that choice, but I'd much prefer the better coach. He'll do a better job getting defensive talent in future years and he'll make the best of the defensive talent we currently have.
I know you think recruiting means everything, but it goes beyond this year. An average DC will hurt our future recruiting efforts, a strong DC will help them. Michigan football goes beyond just this year.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:39 PM ^
...I'm realizing this is a pontless argument. I'll admit an impass at best (defeat at worst) and respectfully withdraw...
January 17th, 2011 at 2:53 PM ^
No offense but at this point this is a long-term plan with Hoke.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^
I trust you mean 3 years or less?
January 17th, 2011 at 2:49 PM ^
My humblest apologies.
January 17th, 2011 at 2:50 PM ^
Maybe we should adopt the practice of just typing DITTO (a la Rush Limbaugh's listeners) rather than posting these very repetitive and tired sentiments.
Similar to OT and CC, we can now add DITTO so the rest of us can just move on to the next thread.
January 17th, 2011 at 2:52 PM ^
Ditto
January 17th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^
Now you know the rest of the story. Good day.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^
You cross pollinated Paul Harvey with Rush Limbaugh.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^
Patrick Swayze, is that you?
January 17th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
As soon as the strippers leave and the cocaine is all gone, I am sure they will get around to it. Until then.....wait.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:16 PM ^
Which comes first... the strippers leaving or the coke all gone? Chicken? Egg?
January 17th, 2011 at 3:48 PM ^
Must have lived a sheltered life...
January 17th, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^
Ussually these things go hand in hand, If the coke is gone so are the stippers!
January 17th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
And makes him stick with the 3-3-5.
Now that would get some hate flowing in the fanbase.......
We might have to add Brian's head exploding onto the banner if it happens.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^
I would much rather they took a moment and got this hire right, thanks. If tomorrow we discover that, due to time constraints, the GERG has returned, I will flip out and probably do something I'll regret later.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:06 PM ^
the thought of that is so horrible I'm not sure my brain can even handle such a thought even when said jokingly. I have to go think about something else.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^
Let's say Hoke/Brandon had some ideal candidates out there (good track record, Michigan ties etc...). Then they offer and the guy says yes. We have a DC. You really don't need to wait. The fact that the process has taken so long suggests to me that the opposite has happened, which incidentally is exactly what happened with the HC search.
FWIW, i don't think we'll land a big name. First, he'll have to share responsibilities with Hoke because Hoke will be involved with defense, so that eliminates a strong, established coordinator who would be given all the keys. Second, he has to clean up the utter mess we have now, in addition to fierce recruiting to immediately upgrade the talent. It's a daunting task and I don't think many big names will want to walk in on that.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^
...long track record with enough success to give me some optimism.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^
I recall reading/hearing that while at SDSU, when Hoke was assuming the role of DL coach, he was in the trenches and reported to his defensive coordinator.
Not sure what it's worth, but it sounds like conflict wouldn't be an issue.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^
Taking your time is one thing, but it's already been 5 days. Hoke should have this staff together and planning the recruiting weekend. Stop giving him all the excuses.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:48 PM ^
Taking your time is one thing, but it's already been 5 days.
I'm unclear if this is sarcasm or serious.
January 17th, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^
you guys aren't going to let anyone post a contrary opinion without negging them together. I disagree with some of the same posts, and others, but they're legitimate, non-rude, non-hysterical arguments for the most part. I hope negging doesn't become synonymous with disagreeing.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^
BGSU Strength Coach Aaron Hillmann takes Asst Strength Coach position with Michigan Football. Aaron Wellman will be Head Strength Coach. We will have an A-squared effort in the weight room - Via the Twittersphere
January 17th, 2011 at 7:29 PM ^
They sure in the hell didn't put up much of a fight this year. Are you sure they had a strength coach? If so, why would we want him?
January 17th, 2011 at 4:25 PM ^
At his age, a good DC means a double-fastened diaper pad.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:24 PM ^
Hoke would run the defense and hire a guy named Rich Rodriguez to run the offense.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
so ditto.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
I suspect Hoke is going to be a partial DC himself (rumor has it he will coach the Defensive line personally). He needs to get someone on board now to help with recrutiing. It seems we are losing most of the recruits on the defense. Hoke could hire the perfect guy in 3 weeks and it will not help with a lack of depth, talent, and no defensive recruites.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:22 PM ^
I remember a man who did this named Rod Marinelli. I sure hope our team doesn't turn out like the Lions did while he was coach.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:40 PM ^
when Michigan finishes 7-6 or worse in 2011, and/or re-hires Greg Robinson as DC. That would be a "decacle".
What we're seeing now is not in any way surprising, so if disappointing, who's fault is that? Time to align fan expectations with realities. There are a lot of good DC candidates out there and it takes time to hunt them all down, determine availability and interest, interview, present comp packages, etc.
Lastly Michigan hasn't had a consistent, fundamentally sound defensive coordinator since probably Bill McCartney. And don't say Jim Herrman and Ron English either - That would insult us both.
After the last 3 years of hiring a nice, non-distruptive personality, I'd rather UM take it's time and get the right guy that will put some fire into the Wolverine defense again than hurry up to please the UM fan base and some disenchanted former players.
In the end though I would expect Hoke will probably hire a guy he's either very familiar with at BSU or SDSU, or hire an old Carr acolyte "Michigan Man!" (to satisfy both the local and wandering UM nobility). As for outsider DCs coming to Michigan, I think it's reasonable to cross out that potential outcome since no matter how shiny and delightful, those apples fall too far from the Michigan tree.