John Harbaugh on Greg Mattison:
A friend of mine emailed me a great quote from Harbaugh on Scout...
"We completely respect the decision Greg made to join the Michigan football program. He has loved Michigan since working there earlier in his career. We will miss him because he's a great coach, but also an even better person. The students there are the lucky ones. Not only will he teach them football to the highest level, he will influence them to be the best persons they can be. Greg is one of the good people you are fortunate to meet in your life. We are disappointed that he will not be coaching our defense, but we know that he is following a true love by returning to the Wolverines."
GO BLUE!
January 19th, 2011 at 8:52 AM ^
Another Michigan Man, +1 for the "good guys" as my father would say.
January 19th, 2011 at 8:58 AM ^
And, a classy statement by Mr. Harbaugh.
January 19th, 2011 at 8:59 AM ^
That's quite the testament, right there. It's wonderful for Harbaugh to say something like that for a departing employee, and wonderful that we're getting a guy who earned so much respect from his colleagues.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:04 AM ^
If only John's brother shared the same "true love" for the wolverines.....
January 19th, 2011 at 10:11 AM ^
better than Jim recently? He's one of my favorite M players of all time. I don't begrudge his NFL decision for a moment, but how does his brother know to say flattering things re. the university and he does not?
January 19th, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^
I know Jim stuck us on academics in the past (which, I am sorry, but maybe we deserved a little, given we talk so highly of Michigan academic standards). He definitely walked the talk at Stanford.
However, to be fair, I think Jim did respectfully mention Michigan in his introduction speech as 49ers HC, and I also saw something saying both Jack and he felt Brady Hoke made supporting statement when the Brady Hoke announcement was made. I seem to recall he said something supportive when the whole practicegate thing blew up.
Either way it would appear the Jack Harbaugh coaching tree is coming through for us in the transition.
Next concern: these guys (OC, DC and HC) are all old. They better get their own coaching tree going if there is to be any longevity to it (unless the Harbaughs have just installed a warm-up act ...)
January 19th, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^
With the amount of starters returning next season, Coach Mattison should have a quick and positive influence on the team.
GO BLUE
January 19th, 2011 at 9:05 AM ^
I told myself I wouldn't cry.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:08 AM ^
for Michigan. Go Blue!
January 19th, 2011 at 9:10 AM ^
I am pumped for this hire. This offseason sucks because it is going to take forever for September to come. GO BLUE!
January 19th, 2011 at 9:25 AM ^
Greg Mattison: Making "The Rebellion" feel better about the Hoke hire by the minute.
Hell yeah!
January 19th, 2011 at 10:41 AM ^
Plus one for admitting to be a member of the Rebellion (we all are)
Plus one for Charles Woodson pic
Minus one for the fact I can only plus one you once.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^
As an "In Rod" it makes me feel a lot better too.
FACTIONS, UNITE!
January 19th, 2011 at 9:27 AM ^
I am a little mixed on the hire. I thought he did a nice job with the Raven's D, so +1 for Michigan. On the other hand, there were a lot or rumblings that the Ravens wanted him out, and I suspect that the Michigan job is a convinient way for him to leave the Ravens on good terms.
That said, I don't really care whether the Ravens still wanted him or not. I think he'll do well at UM.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:33 AM ^
So John lied about wanting to keep Greg?
And Greg's comments make it sound like he could have kept his job as the Raven's DC if he wanted to.
The rumblings about wanting Cam Cameron out are more accurate than wanting to oust the guy that just orchestrated back-to-back top 10 defenses.
I'm ecstatic he is here.
It is a HUGE coup for Michigan. Don't even drizzle on this parade, man.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:46 AM ^
but i follow them a little bit and it seems suspect to me as well. Mostly because of his age not ability i think JH is probably looking more to the future and wanted the younger assistant to take over. Now im definately not slighting the hire im very excited about this especially since while he was at UM our D was only giving up an average of 17 pts a game! Cant remeber the last time i was excited about the defensive side of the ball! Does anyone know how his D holds up against uptempo spread offenses?
January 19th, 2011 at 9:49 AM ^
He wants to have some words with you about your "age" theory.
Oh, and Monte Kiffin is holding on Line 2.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:51 PM ^
I never said the guy was too old as a matter of fact I cant think of another DC id take over GM. All i was sayin was JH could be thinking of giving the younger asst. in waiting a chance. I know the history of these men Hoke/Mattison coaching with the Harbaughs and believe Harbaugh wants GM to be be happy but it wouldve never happened this way if JH hadnt seen things he liked out of GMs replacement. Thats all Im sayin.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:57 AM ^
Not a Ravens fan myself, but of my friends who are, they seem to be mad at everyone for the fact they haven't won it all yet being so close. I personally am more excited about his college successes. The pro is gonna help in recruiting though.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:30 AM ^
January 19th, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^
... teach them to tackle with their heads down and lead with their helmets? I'd prefer to have my defensive players have movement in all of their extremities after tackling, thanks.
January 19th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^
Seriously? That tackle is textbook.
January 19th, 2011 at 10:32 AM ^
is a nice hit, driving shoulder and running through the man. But to be fair, Lewis leaves his feet in order to connect up high. A violent hit yes, but hardly textbook.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^
He does everything right except he has his head down. I can still remember my coach yelling "see what you hit". Having your head down is a safety issue. When you hit with your head down you axially load the neck which can lead to a serious injury (ie spinal cord injury, chuckie mullins RIP)
January 19th, 2011 at 10:39 AM ^
Ed Reed leads with his shoulder and drives himself through McCluster.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:27 AM ^
You may be right, but all I'm hearing is "Ray Lewis can't tackle well."
January 19th, 2011 at 1:24 PM ^
That Ed Reed tackle is as perfect and safe form wise as you will find.
January 19th, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^
And even though Reed's head is angled downward, he obviously can see McCluster and know's exactly where and when he's going to hit him. That's a perfect tackle.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:20 AM ^
Not quite textbook, his head needs to be on ball side.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^
You are right Mattison is a great person, and football coach, but Ray Lewis has a different level of talent and intensity that just can not be coached.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:45 AM ^
And here's to hoping that no rearranging of the letters in this GREG are needed!
January 19th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^
I wonder how many people realize that GERG was the Syracuse fans' way of combining the DERP-worthy abilities of Robinson with his first name.
Judging by his resume, Mr. Mattison has 0.00368% derp in him.
January 19th, 2011 at 10:32 AM ^
With Hoke’s Passion to be at Michigan and Mattison's credibility, complimented by The Fans and DB's magic stick...not even Chuck Norris would want to enter the Big House.
Mike Martin would make him his Bi*ch!!!
January 19th, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^
And I am very impressed with the respect Hoke has around the nation.
January 19th, 2011 at 10:59 AM ^
It appears it was Greg Mattison who made Tim Tebow into the son of God he is today.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:48 AM ^
I never understood the obsession of some people with Tebow. Does he owe you money or something?
January 19th, 2011 at 11:55 AM ^
of whether it's true or not that the Ravens wanted Mattison out (I don't buy it), those are class words spoken by John Harbaugh and he didn't have to say them.
I was pretty fired up when he left here for ND, but I'm glad he's back on the side of good once again.
January 19th, 2011 at 3:29 PM ^
stay classy johnny