DCC: Chris Partridge

Submitted by PaulWall on January 2nd, 2021 at 3:33 PM

(Used the search function and all i could find was info on when he left, so apologies if someone already brought him up.)

Instant recruiting boost.  Familiarity with current staff he wants to retain and familiarity with the kids on the roster. 

Was his year away enough to get him into consideration? 

JonnyHintz

January 2nd, 2021 at 3:36 PM ^

Hard pass. He has one year of experience as a Co-DC and it was spent with the worst defense in the country. So no, his one year away was absolutely not enough to put him in consideration. He’s not an upgrade over Brown at all. 
 

Only way it works is as a Co-DC with a proven DC, and we could have just done that with him and Brown last year to keep him around.

bronxblue

January 2nd, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^

This has absolutely been discussed numerous times, perhaps not in an explicit post, and I can't imagine there's anything remotely compelling to be repeated.  He's current the co-DC of perhaps the worst defense in college football and while recruiting is important, you can find a ton of good recruiters for assistants.  You need someone who has something resembling a track record and Partridge's right now isn't great.

Mr Miggle

January 2nd, 2021 at 6:58 PM ^

Partridge may have the title of co-DC, but Durkin is the DC and Partridge is learning under him.

I think Michigan needs to do something similar. Hire an experienced DC and give a young recruiting ace the co-DC title. If he looks like DC material, promote him in a few years when the DC moves on and bring in another young recruiter. 

JonnyHintz

January 2nd, 2021 at 5:30 PM ^

Harbaugh is on the hot seat. Taking chances on a guy who could be good isn’t the move here. That’s a move a new coach or a guy with a long leash can make. 
 

If you’re coaching for your job, you really don’t want to be taking chances on guys. You want proven coaches who can perform a quick turnaround. 

Twitch

January 2nd, 2021 at 3:54 PM ^

I would be all for this as a co-coordinator/lb coach along with a guy like Mason or Strong or anyone else who has a proven track record.

1blueeye

January 2nd, 2021 at 4:06 PM ^

I have a couple issues with Partridge. People say he’s a good recruiter, and I don’t doubt that his approach has worked. But didn’t he piss off nearly all the New Jersey high school coaching fraternity? And of those Jersey recruits, many never finished at UM: Dumfour, Singleton, Kareem Walker etc. I don’t know how you recruit well when nearly all the HS coaches in Jersey hate your guts, and UM already has strained relationships in the state of Michigan and Detroit. This program needs to become more “likeable “ in a lot of different ways. Find me more Greg Mattisons and Brady Hokes and Ty Wheatley’s as assistants (not HC of course), and be better with the media and fans. I think Jim runs guys like that off

befuggled

January 2nd, 2021 at 4:55 PM ^

I think this was Jack Tuttle's first start, too.

Ole Miss also held Alabama to 63 points and 723 yards and Florida to 51 points and 642 yards. Ole Miss didn't have a good defense last year either, but they gave up fewer points in more games (318 points in 12 games versus 383 points in 10 games this year) so the trend is not looking good at the moment.

Sure, it's possible that Partridge might develop into a first-rate defensive coordinator. But at this point in his career I think it's more likely he goes back to being a position coach.

MGoStrength

January 2nd, 2021 at 4:40 PM ^

Was his year away enough to get him into consideration? 

No, not without a veteran co-coordinator.  If GMatt was still around, I could see a guy like that co-coordinating with him.  But, by himself, no.  Great recruiter, but not a proven great coordinator yet.