DCC: Derek Mason to Auburn
Sources: Auburn is hiring former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason as its defensive coordinator. Should be finalized in the near future.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 7, 2021
Multiple schools had been pursuing him for defensive coordinator jobs. Auburn is the one to ultimately land him. https://t.co/LqbofHJreW
I know all the focus is on Harbaugh, but we still have an opening at DC, and one of the bigger/better names is off the board
January 7th, 2021 at 9:59 AM ^
I'd like to think there's already a DC lined up and we are just waiting for the JH decision. My best is on Muschamp
January 7th, 2021 at 10:11 AM ^
I think UMBIG11 hinted that yesterday that Charlie Strong would most likely be DC if Harbaugh is back.
Could be wrong.
January 7th, 2021 at 10:28 AM ^
I wouldn't mind Strong. Great Florida recruiting connections.
Thought it'll be tough losing all those Rhode Island 3 stars.
January 7th, 2021 at 10:35 AM ^
The sad reality is that a lot of those Rhode Island 3 stars have been outperforming our Georgia/Texas/Oklahoma/insert-good-football-state-here players
January 7th, 2021 at 10:39 AM ^
I don't hate Strong, but I would have preferred Mason. Strong is 10 years older and hasn't been a DC for a decade.
January 7th, 2021 at 12:11 PM ^
I agree, but IF it is Strong then it's more likely to add a young up and comer as co-DC. Have Strong groom them for a couple years. Someone like, I don't know, say Tim Banks?
Mason is probably gonna be in line for another HC job in the future, this would likely be Strong's last stop (again, IF any of these rumors about him are true).
January 7th, 2021 at 1:26 PM ^
I know this is an unpopular take because he's a retread, but I prefer Partridge. Sorry, but he was the best recruiter and the best coach we had when he was here. I won't be upset with Banks though.
January 7th, 2021 at 1:15 PM ^
Cheer up Sparky, we're all gonna miss Kwity Paye but that #700+ ranked player has to go on to be a ......first ......round ......draft ....pick?
Holy shit we really will miss the only Rhode Island 3* they've had on the team!
That's what you meant right?
January 7th, 2021 at 1:41 PM ^
He's a STRONG candidate.
January 7th, 2021 at 2:33 PM ^
I assume nothing is going down today?
January 7th, 2021 at 2:54 PM ^
I have a Strong feeling this won't end well.
January 7th, 2021 at 10:24 AM ^
Muschamp is rumored to be an analyst for UGA, And he has a son on the team I believe.
January 7th, 2021 at 10:53 AM ^
I can't see him going from a head coach to an analyst.
I think Muschamp is one of the best options out there -solid defensive mind, solid recruiter.
Pundits mention his Harbaughesque style but I also feel one Harbaugh is enough (and maybe too many)
I know Warde better wrap this up soon. Ten days ago an extension was imminent - since then nothing.
Limbo is the last place you want to be.
January 7th, 2021 at 12:33 PM ^
I think the big hangup with Muschamp is he seems like the opposite of a culture fit at UM. Like, I'm sure he's still a good DC and would be a good recruiter, but that guy seems like a square peg if I've ever seen one.
January 7th, 2021 at 1:06 PM ^
With all due respect, fuck the Michigan culture. How far has that gotten us? Bring in the best coach and recruiter possible.
January 7th, 2021 at 10:05 AM ^
Yeah that's disappointing but could be alleviated if Harbaugh pulls a rabbit out of his hat. Unfortunately the rabbit/hat trick seems to be taking what feels like eons, if it ever comes at all.
January 7th, 2021 at 11:25 AM ^
Yep. They are leaving the program twisting in the wind.
January 7th, 2021 at 10:08 AM ^
Makes sense to stay in the SEC.
January 7th, 2021 at 10:11 AM ^
No decent DC will join the staff until Harbaugh agrees to an extension.
January 7th, 2021 at 2:40 PM ^
I mean sure, but since Harbaugh will be hiring the guy, he will probably be able to ask that question during the interview process.
January 7th, 2021 at 10:13 AM ^
Providing Harbaugh remains as coach, UMbig11 insinuated yesterday that Charlie Strong was under serious consideration for Michigan's DC job. Nonetheless, regardless of who may become UM's DC, nobody will get the job until the head coach either signs an extension, or is hired anew.
We are, gentlemen, waiting on the NFL's decision makers.
January 7th, 2021 at 11:06 AM ^
My brother just text that he heard there was an agreement between Harbaugh and LA Chargers. anyone confirm that rumor? My brother is a piece of work....
January 7th, 2021 at 11:18 AM ^
I think you answered your own question!
January 7th, 2021 at 11:22 AM ^
Touche
January 7th, 2021 at 10:25 AM ^
He wanted to stay in the south. Reports of Michigan interested in Steele. That’d be a win.
Steele > Mason
January 7th, 2021 at 10:58 AM ^
I’m sorry, who is Steele?
January 7th, 2021 at 11:03 AM ^
Glen! Glen Steele. Wrecking ball. Loved that guy.
January 7th, 2021 at 11:04 AM ^
Likely Kevin Steele, Auburn's last DC. Still want money thrown at Freeman. Being told no hurts no one.
January 7th, 2021 at 11:39 AM ^
GoJG already said Freeman said no to $2MM. (Sort of).
January 7th, 2021 at 1:35 PM ^
Yeah, Steele was my hope as well.
His recruiting is really impressive.
January 7th, 2021 at 10:32 AM ^
The California visit makes me suspect that it is Lance Anderson.
January 7th, 2021 at 12:13 PM ^
Hasn't he already turned Michigan down before, under Harbaugh anyway?
January 7th, 2021 at 10:41 AM ^
This program is clown show. Fanbases everywhere are mocking us
January 7th, 2021 at 10:53 AM ^
So is our own blogosphere.
I don' give a care.
January 7th, 2021 at 10:57 AM ^
And every other target we should be looking at will be gone too if we don't get a HC signed soon.
January 7th, 2021 at 11:09 AM ^
Strangest coordinator search ever, how do you interview for DC/OC:
a. You will working for Harbaugh
b. You might be working for Harbaugh
c. Be ready to hit the ground running, the portal needs attention
At this point I suppose its 100% JH staying put, how else to you interview?
If he was staying all along, why the zero dark thirty approach. Contract details don't need to drag on this long, and if he was a Hot NFL target, it would be out there.
Oh well, story has to end soon.
January 7th, 2021 at 11:52 AM ^
If Strong gets hired by someone else then ya , WTF. But until then . Harbaugh stays = Strong.
Harbaugh leaves hopefully Campbell who would most likely bring Heacock.
January 7th, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^
I wasn't all that excited about Mason; if rumors about Charlie Strong are true that feels like a better pickup for Michigan and Strong.
January 7th, 2021 at 1:34 PM ^
I think that Charlie would be a Strong hire
January 7th, 2021 at 4:01 PM ^
This extended period of nothing apparently happening on a DC is bringing back bad memories of the weeks right after the 2008 season.
RR's first DC Scott Shafer "resigned" in mid-December after the disastrous 3-9 season, and most of us optimistically thought RR would hire a hot-shot replacement quickly. Time is of the essence, right?
There was the usual stream of conjecture here over who RR would or should hire, but days and then weeks went by, with some available candidates going elsewhere, and other obviously staying where they were. People were wondering WTF was taking RR so long.
Finally, on January 20, RR announced his pick: Greg Robinson.
It later came out that RR had met Robinson at the January 2009 American Football Coaches Association convention, and had decided to hire him after that meeting.
A decision that put the nail in his coffin at Michigan.
This delay is partially why I'm a bit skeptical that Harbaugh's new DC is going to be what we'd call a "home run" hire. It would be funny if Harbaugh's choice this time was his very first DC at Stanford: Scott Shafer.