Olaf

January 7th, 2016 at 8:17 PM ^

I'm sure I will get downvoted for this but our special teams made some bonehead plays this year. Going for the block against OSU in their endzone, the MSU debacle where we sacraficed blockers for gunners when there wasn't a returner. The TD against Northwestern was nice but that's about all. We will be fine.

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LSAClassOf2000

January 7th, 2016 at 8:22 PM ^

Of course, our friends and MLive and other outlets are already on this - LINK

To perhaps back up what some folks are saying, there was this nugget:

Michigan director of player personnel Chris Partridge served as a linebackers coach for the Wolverines during the bowl. Harbaugh said in December that if he had one more coaching spot available on his staff, it'd likely go to Patridge.

If it isn't Partridge, I would be interesting to see who might fill this position. I definitely trust the staff to make good selections.

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JFW

January 7th, 2016 at 8:23 PM ^

This sucks. Ppl complain about our special teams, but what were they like before him? We lose that and the academic plan he was supposed to have influence on. It worries me
That he's bailing in a lateral move. Why?



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Coldwater

January 7th, 2016 at 8:24 PM ^

Well that sucks. You always like to have coaching continuity. Harbaugh has a big hire to do now. It really needs to be somebody that has excelled as a special teams coach in the past. I don't think this is a good fit for Partridge.

Joined: 12/14/2008

MGoPoints: 11234

jblaze

January 7th, 2016 at 8:29 PM ^

Our Special Teams was average aside from Blake, who was not trained or taught by Baxter. Blake was doing his thang for what 4 years at Weber state?

The "drastic" FEI improvements are due to our net punting improvement, which is 100% due to Blake O'Neil being a baller and dropping punts inside the 5. That's not coaching.

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MGoPoints: 19360

trustBlue

January 8th, 2016 at 2:25 AM ^

Jake Rudock was at Iowa for four years before coming to Michigan, so by your logic, Harbaugh had nothing to do with Rudock passing for over 3000 yards.  

I mean, Jake Rudock already knew how to throw a pass so, gee whiz, I guess there was absolutely nothing left to teach him.

 

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Ty Butterfield

January 7th, 2016 at 8:29 PM ^

Punt returns and kick off returns were obviously way better. But, that Staee game.... Fuckin A.

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MGoPoints: -81685

Rabbit21

January 7th, 2016 at 8:34 PM ^

Yikes!! That is disappointing, but he spent almost his entire life on the West Coast so I am sure an opportunity to go back held great appeal. Let's see what happens now, but I have a feeling they have learned some things about special teams and how to run them and will do a good job in the future.



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SD Larry

January 7th, 2016 at 8:40 PM ^

Will miss Coach Baxter.  He has been an incredibly successful Coach.  If this is indirectly related consequence to attempted poaching of our newly put together staff by  Durkin (unlikely, but possible), its an unfortunate consequence.  Either way, wish Coach Bater the best.  Enjoyed having him here for too short a time but wish him well going back to USC.  Harbaugh has steel in his spine, all kinds of contacts in football that can help him find the right replacement if needed, or Coach Partridge, if he believes that is the right call.   Michigan football is still on a great track and still in the best of hands now. 

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Mr. Owl

January 7th, 2016 at 8:39 PM ^

This is disappointing.  I was looking forward to one day seeing the special teams take over and win game after game, like we thought would happen when he was hired a year ago.

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MGoPoints: 346

tolmichfan

January 7th, 2016 at 9:08 PM ^

So just about everything to do with special teams going into this year was a question mark, and before the bowl game this board was freaking out about Blake's injury. But both situations turned out way better than expected, and this is your comment. Wow I hope this was sarcasm that I am missing.



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Otm_Shank

January 7th, 2016 at 8:51 PM ^

Really dissapointed to lose Coach Baxter - thought he did a great job improving our special teams overall.

Curious to see how/if this affects David Long at all though?  If I remember correctly, Baxter has been pretty involved in his recruitment.

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Spunky

January 7th, 2016 at 8:54 PM ^

I'm glad there's space for coach Patridge now. Special teams were fun to watch, though. And I didn't blame Baxter for the... you know. 

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MGoPoints: 2393

Squeezebox

January 7th, 2016 at 9:01 PM ^

There is still a log jam at DB & LB coach with Jackson, Brown and Partridge.

Either Jackson would have to leave or Brown becomes strictly a DC without a position to coach.

Joined: 04/25/2014

MGoPoints: 1566

Erik_in_Dayton

January 7th, 2016 at 9:04 PM ^

I hope I'm wrong, but the special teams were pretty sharp this year despite some breakdowns. And this was only Baxter's first year with the team. I really like the idea of a dedicated special teams coach, but I suppose it was creating a numbers crunch on the staff. Maybe Partridge will make up in recruiting impact what we lose in coaching with Baxter.

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RunnerB

January 7th, 2016 at 9:08 PM ^

Seems odd to go coach with Helton who probably only has a few years in that program once Haden leaves he is a lame duck coach. I'm sure Harbaugh will take care of business.

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