DC Search- HC Search Debacle Over Again

Submitted by detrocks on

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.

umumum

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.

WolvinLA2

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.

NathanFromMCounty

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.

NathanFromMCounty

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...

Jon Benke

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.

teldar

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.

WolvinLA2

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.

readyourguard

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.

g_reaper3

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.

LSAClassOf2000

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.

NJWolverine

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. 

True Blue in CO

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

Blue X2

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. 

markusr2007

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.