Greg Mattison Appreciation Thread
I started this thread without even checking to see if there was already one because it doesn't matter if there already is, Coach Mattison deserves one every week.
This is a guy who stepped down as D-Coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens to come coach defense at Michigan. This man helped rejuvenate a fan base and program that had seen the worst defenses in program history the few years before, and right now, has helped build one of the, if not the best D line rotation in Michigan history. While under Hoke he fielded pretty darn good defenses whose numbers were hurt because of offenses that were inept and he still stayed. When coach Hoke was fired he still stayed even at a lesser role, then when Durkin left he stepped up to the plate to coordinate the D in the bowl game only to step back down for coach Brown. The man is a master recruiter, genius at coaching the D line and I couldn't be happier that he is on our side. So heres to you Coach Mattison, were lucky to have you !
October 18th, 2016 at 10:02 PM ^
for all the disappointments, Brady hoke was surely an important helping part of bringing a great defensive line and Gregg mattison in
October 18th, 2016 at 11:00 PM ^
Mattison is going to deserve one huge pat on the back.
His humility to condescend to college and then DL coach, his terrific ability to recruit, and most of all his prowess at coaching the DL, will deserve a huge slice of credit.
Coach Mattison, we salute you!
Never retire!!!
October 18th, 2016 at 11:24 PM ^
and Hokes recruits, including the starting QB, his stud WRs and TE, starting RB and the starting o line , are all starters on this potentially historic team. The fact he imploded when he did just before Harbaugh became available was also nice of him, although probably not intentional.
October 19th, 2016 at 7:04 AM ^
I would suspect that JMFH had his eye on Mattison from the git-go and that is why he required that Hoke's departure from the program was handled the way it was. (besides it being the right way to do things.) He wanted Mattison to stay in his current capacity but realized that the transition needed to be handled carefully so as not to lose Mattison. maybe.
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October 19th, 2016 at 7:35 AM ^
But I'm guessing it's because the harbaughs and the hokes are reportedly very friendly.
October 19th, 2016 at 9:30 AM ^
Brady Hoke was the DL coach at WMU when Jack Harbaugh was the HC. Greg Mattison was the DC.
October 19th, 2016 at 12:07 PM ^
I think that John Harbaugh was a GA on that staff, too (and Joanie Harbaugh was in my tennis class).
My suitemate in my freshman year at WMU ('83) was a walk-on OL from Pioneer High School. He and JH were buddies growing up so Jack got him a shot at making the team.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:02 PM ^
Swag Mattison indeed.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:12 PM ^
Greg >Gerg
October 18th, 2016 at 10:29 PM ^
Greg>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Gerg
October 19th, 2016 at 12:46 AM ^
doesn't it feel like Gerg wasn't really real life? Like you were stuck in a car seat high for the first time having an existential crisis?
Twilight zone man- can't even believe that guy was our D coordinator.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:13 PM ^
Say what ya want, but I wanna hug that guy. He reminds me of my Grandpa in looks and demeanor, and even though he could probably stomp a mud-hole in you to make you play great football, he seems like the type of guy that would be the first to give you an attaboy. Love that dude.
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October 18th, 2016 at 10:29 PM ^
I want him to remind me of my grandpa but I don't know if Mattison likes to get drunk and sing to his grandkids.
October 19th, 2016 at 7:29 AM ^
Oh he totally does that.
October 19th, 2016 at 12:39 PM ^
Ask him if he knows Beautiful K-K-Katie.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:15 PM ^
Worst defense in program history in 2010, and in 2016 it's arguably the best it's ever been.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:42 PM ^
Whenever I think about the "bad defense" days, the Illinois shootout game instantly comes to mind. We've come very far.
October 18th, 2016 at 11:16 PM ^
I have the same thought, 67-65 3OT against Illinois. I can only laugh about it now.
October 19th, 2016 at 8:14 AM ^
Hell, it was pretty good in 2011. All hail Mattison!
October 18th, 2016 at 10:16 PM ^
I clicked on here just to see the number after the url. Is this really only our second Mattison appreciation thread???
October 18th, 2016 at 10:18 PM ^
Yea I'll drink to that. 100% agree, love that guy
October 18th, 2016 at 10:19 PM ^
Stepping aside to work as a DL guy when he was the DC and could be somewhere else if he wanted? That's huge. One of the great examples of selflessness for the program. Glad you posted this, we don't recognize how big of a deal this is enough.
BTW I'm not sure there can be much debate about the caliber of this DL in program history right now. Barring disaster it is one of the best groups in any position in any phase of the game that the school has ever produced.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:27 PM ^
I agree that his lack of ego and love for his guys goes largely unappreciated. He's not hurt financially by staying the DL coach, but, if he weren't the character guy he is, he'd seek equal compensation with more responsibility and satisfaction elsewhere. He just seems one of those guys that can take the salt with the sweet and be happy being the best he can be in his current job.
It probably helps the Harbaugh runs much more of a brain trust staff than a bureaucracy.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:19 PM ^
i think, based on brady hoke's showing at oregon, that mattison was clearly the reason for the dramatic turn around from rich rod to hoke regime. guy wasn't an NFL dc by accident. lucky to have him.
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October 19th, 2016 at 12:19 AM ^
While definitely possible, I'm not sure you can take one half season at Oregon to determine he was a terrible coach altogether and had nothing to do with our defensive success either. His position group was pretty dang good when he was a defensive coach in the 90's for Michigan. Oregon was a tire fire defense waiting to happen. He is forced to go with guys that he most likely never would have recruited and most likely aren't fit to play the defense he wants to run.
He's a good defensive coach. Oregon might just not be the right fit regardless as spread offenses were never his forte, but yeah. I rest my case.
Mattison is still awesome regardless. Hope he stays at least a few more years.
October 19th, 2016 at 1:00 AM ^
Wasn't the Michigan defense in 2011 full of players that Hoke didn't recruit? Hoke with Mattison was able to make lemonade out of lemons, so to speak. Hoke without Mattison, can't.
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October 19th, 2016 at 9:26 AM ^
I hear you, but Oregon's defense was kinda a dumpster fire before Hoke arrived. In one early press conference, Hoke even said something like, "we're a long way from any kind of defense."
So as much as Hoke isn't making them better so far, it's hard to say whether he's making them worse. Of course, if the HC gets fired, Hoke is probably gone too...
October 19th, 2016 at 12:28 PM ^
was ours not?
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October 19th, 2016 at 6:07 PM ^
that guy sucks at anything except a position coach.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:19 PM ^
He's a fucking stud
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October 18th, 2016 at 10:21 PM ^
Mattison is not only a great coach but a great and loyal soldier. We are lucky to have him.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:26 PM ^
First met him over twenty years ago during his first stint at Michigan, and even now, he's one hell of a nice guy off the field. Great to have him back in the fold.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:37 PM ^
this past spring, just a few days after the Spring Game when I went to see the Michigan @ ND baseball game. Talked with him for just a couple minutes and it was easy to see immediately why he's such an effective recruiter. Just such a nice down-to-earth friendliness about him that quickly puts one at ease.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:27 PM ^
Saw a funny story that his wife actually bakes cookies exclusively for the dline based on their sacks and tfls. The rest of defense is definitely jealous of this....just to add to this post.
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October 19th, 2016 at 9:11 AM ^
How much more of a family atmosphere can you get? Lol.(Yes I'm laughing at work as quietly as possible due to stares)
October 18th, 2016 at 10:28 PM ^
This thread is useless without Swag Mattison pics.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:38 PM ^
I'm trying to think of an assistant coach (who never became head coach here) who deserves more praise or fanfare than Mattison. Jerry Hanlon? Bill McCartney? The list is really short if there are any.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:44 PM ^
Good point! I'd put Hanlon above both McCartney and Mattison, but only because he ran Schembechler's OL's for both decades Bo hung around. He was Bo's confidant above all others. But other than that, those three stand in a class of thier own. Great assistants, and great coaches in their own right.
October 19th, 2016 at 8:20 AM ^
Soup? I don't remember a bad WR year with him. He leaves, and all of a sudden nobody can catch the damned ball for basically a whole year.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:34 PM ^
I like how you say "you" like he's reading this. That's why appreciation threads are bad. Express your admiration in an email or letter. In this format, people just come across as sychophants.
October 19th, 2016 at 7:21 AM ^
You are one miserable sob, Ronnie Kaye.
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October 19th, 2016 at 1:31 PM ^
Nothing I said is wrong. This forum is flush with ass-kissers who live vicariously.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:33 PM ^
In my lifetime. Born in 88, and honestly, I like him better than Lloyd Carr or almost any other coach we've had except for HARBAUGH (obviously) and Fred Jackson, but that's really for other reasons.
Greg Mattison is the man. Lucky indeed that he came back to A2, and hopefully he doesn't leave one year before getting his team to natty level this time around.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:39 PM ^
OP...
This is a great thread.
October 18th, 2016 at 10:47 PM ^
So question for those more expert than I - I know Mattison is one of the best DL coaches in the game, but where would he rank if DL coach rankings were a thing? Certianly top 5, but where in that list? Who are the others at his level?
October 18th, 2016 at 11:02 PM ^
He's a clear #2 behind Coach Hoke /s
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October 18th, 2016 at 10:47 PM ^
LOVE Swag Mattison. We're so lucky that he came back. And that he stayed.