LB Coach Candidates

Submitted by Magnum P.I. on
So, Heater is off the board. Who else in on our list? I haven't heard much from the rumor mill here. I have a suggestion though: given that a lot of people are buzzing about bringing in an assistant who can really recruit, at the expense of more competency in LB coaching, why not focus on an ex-Wolverine LB who has NFL experience? It seems that, of late, a lot of the big-time recruiters among the assistant coach ranks are younger guys who have played pro ball. Wouldn't it make sense to give someone like Larry Foote a look (contract up with Lions, but only 29) or Ian Gold? These guys can talk about what it takes to play in the NFL and that spells credibility with recruits. Who knows, they might be able to coach up some LB skills, too.

Ziff72

January 12th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^

Could we at least wait for the guys to at least retire?? Foote has given no indication he is retiring this year. Save this thread for 2013 or talk about Sam Sword or Steve Morrison or J. Irons if you want to talk abut bringing back old UM linebackers. As long as he gets along with Gerg whoever it is is fine with me.

spacemanspiff231

January 12th, 2010 at 6:27 PM ^

Why would Foote even be mentioned here? He has another 2 or 3 good years in him at least. He was one of the Lions' best defensive players this year. They're going to resign him, especially b/c he WANTS to play for them and only them. I do agree with the idea, though. Someone LIKE Foote would be a great get.

UM Indy

January 12th, 2010 at 4:39 PM ^

Buckeye or not, Chris Spielman is a good man. Great player, played the game right, respects the game, good announcer and has done a ton for breast cancer awareness and research. Tragically lost his wife and is raising three (?) children. I'd take him as our LB coach in a heartbeat.

Blue in Yarmouth

January 12th, 2010 at 2:40 PM ^

I thought it would be a good idea to get someone in like that too. A former player with NFL experience who played the position. I have to think that would go a long way in a recruiting sense. They would also likely have a lot of energy for such tasks and the fact that they played for the school while in college should add to their enthusiasm one would think. Ken Norton Jr. seemed to do well at USC and I think that Gold, Foote, Sword, Irons or any other of the many former Wolverine LB's that are still young and have NFL experience would be a good fit. After having the experience they would bring to the table I would think they would be capable of being a position coach under a good experienced DC like Gerg, but what do I know.

CRex

January 12th, 2010 at 2:42 PM ^

Do we have NCAA set staffing limits for coaches / trainers? Could we say bring in Snyder or some college posistion coach and then snap up a retiring Michigan LB as an assistant coach? Let the new guy learn recruiting and some of that and then promote him if/when the other guy is hired away/retires?

Blue Balls

January 12th, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^

to bring in a guy that not only could coach but recruit. I love the Larry Foote choice but one name that really sticks in my mind is Chris Spielman. This guy could own the state of Ohio when it came to recruiting. The guy seems to be a great guy and the media loves him. Larry Foote might very well retire if given the chance to coach at Michigan.

Beavis

January 12th, 2010 at 2:52 PM ^

There was already a post about this a couple of weeks ago. While I think it's important to bring up the topic again, it would have been in the OP's best interest to at least mention the names of those previously mentioned by users on this board.

AC1997

January 12th, 2010 at 3:08 PM ^

There's no way Speilman would coach at Michigan. He bleads Scarlet and Gray. Even though he does a good job announcing and maintains his neutral attitude in that respect I can't see him ever recruiting against or coaching against OSU. The fact that OSU hasn't already hired him in some capacity also suggests that he might not be interested either. I'm intrigued by the Sam Sword/Jarrot Irons ideas because of the name recognition and legacy status (which is why I wouldn't mind Corwin Brown either). But given our ineptitude at LB in recent years don't you think we should hire someone with experience? I was wondering if there is a former assistant coach from the Carr days that could coach LB and bring him back. I couldn't think of any good names, however.

gobluesasquatch

January 12th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^

What about Steve Stripling. I know he's primarily worked with DE in the past, but he's done pretty well. I'm not sure if he'll be retained at CMU, though Enos might want to do that. On a lighter note ... what is Jim Leavitt doing these days? He did start at Kansas St. as the LB coach. And we know he can hit.

Undefeated dre…

January 12th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^

Jeff Genyk (former EMU head coach, coached multiple defensive positions at Northwestern and was their recruiting coordinator) Bill Sheridan (recently fired NYG defensive coordinator, Nick's Dad) Paul Pasqualoni (recently fired Miami defensive coordinator and reasonably successful Syracuse head coach -- we would have locked up the Syracuse cradle of coaches juggernaut) Ian Gold (former U-M/NFL player, brother Jeremy is HC at Pioneer; may create good connections or it might create conflicts of interest) Chuck Heater (clearly the best name among all candidates; sounds like throwing a cigarette butt out the window) Those are just names. My guess is it's none of the above.

trueblue1997

January 12th, 2010 at 5:59 PM ^

i heard hes doing motivational speaking and i doubt bill sheridan will go from d-coordinator for an NFL team to LB coach on a college team. if he does come to college, it will be as a head coach or d-coordinator.