Exit Biff Poggi
According to Bruce Feldman: https://t.co/4jdWqfnWm7
Poggi will leave at year's end to become the head coach at Charlotte. Thanks for you contributions Coach Poggi!
November 15th, 2022 at 4:49 PM ^
Big loss. Best of luck to him though.
November 15th, 2022 at 5:00 PM ^
So one moment we're reading the article about how centrally important Poggi is to Harbaugh and the program behind the scenes, and the next we're reading how he's outta here for allegedly greener pastures.
He's leaving the #3 program in the country for a C-USA program that's been in existence since 2013 and plays in front of 15,314 seats.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Charlotte_49ers_football_seasons
November 15th, 2022 at 5:09 PM ^
This isn't the whole picture. In the last few years, Charlotte has been growing exponentially as a school and is putting a huge amount of work, money, and logistical support behind its athletics. I know this because I worked on their rebrand and their "We are all Niners" campaign.
A head coaching job is clearly a major goal for any aspiring coach, so I don't know why you'd say "allegedly greener pastures". Dude got a huge promotion and a shot at building something himself.
While we lose an important piece of our coaching staff, this is also something we can show candidates. There is a clear path to advancement for young coaches who come to Michigan. Their skills are going to be appreciated and their achievements celebrated. Then, when they're ready for the next step, we'll help them get there.
TL;DR, This is a short-term hit for Michigan, absolutely. But it expands the Harbaugh coaching tree and makes us a more attractive spot for coaches.
November 15th, 2022 at 5:21 PM ^
See my comment below, suggesting the article and hire likely have a direct connection, in Harbaugh helping Poggi get the job.
Having worked indirectly with PR in one of my jobs, I learned how much that gets published results from a PR person pitching a story.
It would also explain why UM's sports info dept. and Harbaugh were presumably okay giving the impression that Poggi was the center of the team's coaching. Because that center is almost always the head coach, and it's certainly the case here.
November 15th, 2022 at 5:54 PM ^
we're reading how he's outta here for allegedly greener pastures.
He's leaving the #3 program in the country for a C-USA program that's been in existence since 2013 and plays in front of 15,314 seats.
Context is pretty important here. He’s a behind the scenes guy at the #3 program in the country. He’s being given the opportunity to run an entire program and be THE guy. Going from not being on the actual coaching staff to being a head coach is a significant jump.
November 15th, 2022 at 5:05 PM ^
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
November 15th, 2022 at 5:09 PM ^
Who is the coach at IMG? How consiglieri-like is he?
Because beyond being able to tell it like it is, let's not forget Biff also was key in Corum, NHG, Okie and his son Henry (who brought a solid facial hair game) ending up at UM
November 15th, 2022 at 8:10 PM ^
Henry was part of the reason his dad came here, so that he could spend more time with his son.
November 15th, 2022 at 5:18 PM ^
Good for Poggi. As the article about him that was recently posted here pointed out, It's tough for a 62-year old guy get his first college head coaching gig.
In retrospect, it seems as if Harbaugh was helping him get that job—a nice thing for Harbaugh to do—and the article was somehow related to that effort.
November 15th, 2022 at 5:31 PM ^
Thanks, Coach. A Trusted Agent and Known Friend. Charlotte's getting a good one!
November 15th, 2022 at 5:36 PM ^
It's pronounced poe-GEE??? I've always been calling it POE-gee in my head.
Yup, that's what I got out of the article...
November 15th, 2022 at 5:48 PM ^
That Athletic article did this.
November 15th, 2022 at 5:48 PM ^
Thanks a million coach.
November 15th, 2022 at 5:49 PM ^
Thank you, Coach Poggi!
I wish he would stay at Michigan forever. Best wishes to him in his new position.
November 15th, 2022 at 6:16 PM ^
Charlotte didn't Biff on this decision. Or did they?
November 15th, 2022 at 6:36 PM ^
Congratulations and good luck to Coach Poggi. Good move to work under the Coach Harbaugh Coaching tree. Still a lot of football ahead this season.
November 15th, 2022 at 6:52 PM ^
He deserves it. Hopefully Harbaugh can find another chief of staff to replace him. I doubt we will find someone with the same level of recruiting connections however.
Harbaugh at Michigan is:
- 32-5 with Biff
- 39-19 without Biff
November 15th, 2022 at 6:54 PM ^
Dammit! I only just found out he was back at Michigan a few weeks ago.
November 15th, 2022 at 7:42 PM ^
People were stressing out a year ago when we lost both our offensive and defensive coordinators. That seems to have worked out all right. Poggi certainly seems to have been a great addition to the staff, and I hope he has great success at Charlotte, but no one is irreplaceable.
November 15th, 2022 at 7:42 PM ^
Sounds like he should make like a tree and...get out of here.
November 15th, 2022 at 7:51 PM ^
Biff made a huge impact on a lot of young lives at the high school level. This is his opportunity to do the same at the next level, as well as scratch that itch of a dream. It won't be just the win/loss record that measures the success of his tenure, and I suspect much of his contribution will go unreported. Thank you for your wisdom, and good luck on the next adventure.
November 15th, 2022 at 8:37 PM ^
So let me get this straight, the same guy that hired Biff Poggi, Jess Minter, Mike Hart, Steve Clinkscale, Sherron Moore, etc. etc. will be hiring Biff's replacement. I'll take my chances.
November 15th, 2022 at 9:15 PM ^
This sucks. Massive part of the program per the athletic article.