Hello: Rick Finotti - New Director of Football Ops

Submitted by EastCoast Esq. on

Per Josh Helmholdt:

 

That Rick Finotti to Michigan news was interesting, more so from a HSFB standpoint. St. Eds has been a year in, year out force under him

— Josh Helmholdt (@JoshHelmholdt) March 13, 2015

Apparently it was announced at today's football clinic.

I know nothing about the guy, but he's apparently an excellent Ohio high school football coach, so yay for recruiting?

 

Also noted by Tom VH:

 

Was HC at St. Ed's in Ohio, that's interesting RT @chengelis Harbaugh just introduced to the crowd @RickFinotti as the director of fball ops

— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) March 13, 2015

EDIT: h/t MantisToboggan for a nice blurb on the hire in the second thread on the topic

Jim has hired another recruiting coordinator: Lakewood, OH powerhouse St. Edwards head coach Rick Finotti. Alma Mater of Kyle Kalis and former commit Shaun Crawford. This staff now has major clout in CA, NJ, OH, Detroit, and TX.

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mGrowOld

March 13th, 2015 at 3:16 PM ^

Likewise

I'm reading Bruce Hooley & other local sports media tweets and there are a few general observations I find interesting:

1. Hell of a hire by Michigan.  Unexpected and a major coup.

2. Tressel would NEVER have let this happen.

3. Whoever Hoke had in the position was not very well regarded.  Or at least not as well regarded as Finotti is.

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Yooper

March 13th, 2015 at 4:42 PM ^

Along with everything else, as the CEO of the football program, Harbaugh has been an A+.  He has totally revamped the organization around the players and seems to have hired great people.  It is hard to think of a coaching or administrative staff position that hasn't been upgraded.

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getsome

March 13th, 2015 at 5:25 PM ^

Totally agree. Sharp, successful CEOs not only bring it every single day, they also recognize the importance of surrounding themselves with as many smart, enthusiastic winners as possible. Harbaugh obviously has an ego and that's great, it's necessary to a point - but he also 'knows what he doesn't know' and isn't afraid to delegate or lean on others. The dude just continues to hire ballers - he's laying a strong foundation that should pay dividends for years and in the process further demonstrates the ineptness of previous AD / coach

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JonnyHintz

March 13th, 2015 at 10:23 PM ^

Exactly. I don't buy into the whole, "Harbaugh will be gone in 2-3 years to the NFL," crap that is being spewed by NFL guys and MSU/OSU fans. Harbaugh has put so much work into this already for it to be a 2-3 year thing. But I'm confident that even if he does end up leaving, he has put up such a strong coaching tree here that Michigan will be set. I would be comfortable with any of the guys on staff taking over as head coach with the exception of Fisch, Jay Harbaugh, and Baxter. I think any of the other guys would have what it takes. What I think could also happen, is Partridge and Finotti learn under Harbaugh and could potentially be a replacement for Mattison once he retires. I wouldn't mind a highly successful high school coach as a position coach surrounded by NFL coaching experience.

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The Mad Hatter

March 13th, 2015 at 2:29 PM ^

I'm glad to see us follow the Alabama model in regards to recruiting.  Cheers to the AD for freeing up the funds!

I think Hackett is an actual football fan, as opposed to a fan of "the Brand".  He obviously wants the team to win big and is providing whatever resources are necessary to achieve that.

I just hope that Coach Harbaugh doesn't get bored after he wins 3-4 NC's at Michigan.

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74polSKA

March 13th, 2015 at 3:08 PM ^

Seems like another great hire. If this picture is any indication, Mr. Finotti seems to share many traits with Coach Harbaugh (do turf shoes count as cleats?).

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ClevoWolverine

March 15th, 2015 at 9:37 PM ^

over this one. Whoa. VERY shrewd move, Coach Harbaugh. Motivation for Rick Finotti is most likely to move into coaching position, eventually. Extremely driven sort with incredible football acumen. Only thing, my gigantic freshman son is worried that "Coach Finotti will see that my tape says IGNATIUS '18, and toss it into the wastebasket." I said---"Nooooo way. He does not want to make Coach Grbac angry." heh heh.

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