MGoFish: Next DC Expected to be a "3-4 Guru" and a Slamdunk Hire

Submitted by EastCoast Esq. on

Team Harbaugh is apparently giving some recruits information on who the next DC will be, and I suspect we will be very happy with the decision based on these rumblings:

 

#Michigan expected to hire a "3-4 guru" as their next defensive coordinator https://t.co/7dN9QAtBZW

— Garrett Fishaw (@MGoFish) December 15, 2015

 

Also, MGoFish is hearing positive things about Bush and Walker. While the dude can be over optimistic at times, his sources seem to be fairly solid.

Late Night Update: https://t.co/zzo81mPY4d

— Garrett Fishaw (@MGoFish) December 15, 2015
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FreddieMercuryHayes

December 15th, 2015 at 10:23 AM ^

All this fuss about the base "alignment" is, I believe, basically just crap.  The defense next year is probably going to be exactly the same as this year.  When it comes to DL, the amount of down linemen doesn't really matter, what matters is if they 1-gap or 2-gap.  I think they'll be primarily 1-gapping next year, the same as last year.  And UM will still be in nickel personel for most of the season considering the offenses faced.  And all schemes will still feature an elite edge rusher, often off the 'weak' side.  So they're all very similar in practice to me.  There may be tweeks on inital alignment, but with modern defenses, they're so multiple I don't even think the 'base' alignment matters much anymore.

Joined: 12/29/2010

MGoPoints: 40902

LKLIII

December 15th, 2015 at 10:52 AM ^

I think it's also possible that although we won't run much of a 3-4 next year, if we did hire a 3-4 'guru', it WOULD signal that we intend to move in that direction over the next 2-4 years as the personnel develop.  I would that'd certainly help with recruiting LBs this year and next year.  Not only is the depth chart relatively weak right now at LB, but we expect to have an even greater need in the future.  It really underscores the "you will likely see the field very early & often if you come to Michigan" argument that our guys would be making to recruits.

But I still feel like the staff must feel good about a few of our 2016 LB prospects.  As we've seen with QB last year, when Harbaugh thinks we've got a tire-fire on our hands at a certain position, his response was to "flood the zone" with just a ton of prospects & then see what happens.  He hasn't done that w/ LB yet, which makes me think they're feeling very confident about 1-2 of their top prospects.

 

 

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TheDirtyD

December 15th, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^

Perhaps Devin Bush Jr. would be one of the LB's. Our buck LB was moved around all year long so this isnt that far fetched of an idea. With Peppers rotaing through sometimes down it might give a few LB's some breaks. Perhaps Johnson or Jones might move back in the spring and play. We know Harbaugh loves moving people around.

Joined: 07/18/2009

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erald01

December 15th, 2015 at 10:59 AM ^

I still dont understand why DCs are obssesed with a 3-4 formation. Having 4 guys at the line seems a more productive way to stopping the run or put more pressure on the QB.



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DrMantisToboggan

December 15th, 2015 at 1:08 PM ^

Not really, just the one still. Your play side OLB in the 3-4 is gonna be your Buck (maybe slightly bigger than Durkin's Buck usually is, assuming not much loss in athleticism), with your backside OLB being more of a traditional LB. We can recruit the same personnel honestly and it really isn't much of a departure from what we were running this past season. Your front side 3-4 OLB's in the NFL are like Connor Barwin (6'4 265), Ryan Kerrigan (6'4 260) and Jadeveon Clowney (6'6 265). So Taco is right in line for that spot, and Shelton Johnson and possibly Kemp could grow into it in the future. Back side could be a true LB or a more athletic, Buck type like Reuben Jones or Marshall, which would cut down the number of true LB's we need to 2 allowing Gedeon and McCray to start and give us non-zero depth.

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funkywolve

December 15th, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^

When RR was hired at UM Tressell went down to South Florida to pick Leavitt's brain about how to defend RR's spread offense because South Florida had been fairly successful at slowing WVU's offense.  

Joined: 10/08/2008

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A State Fan

December 15th, 2015 at 11:56 AM ^

A traditional 3-4 requires a few space eaters on the DL that can 2-gap effectively, that's why not many teams run it. If you're trying to consistently run a 3-4 with 280lb DLs, you're gonna have a bad time. As an MSU fan, we've had some problems the last few years running against a 3-4 in the rate times we've gone up against it. I think it's because it's harder for OL to ID the right guys to block, it messes with their reads a bit. Can any MGo Xs and Os people confirm?

Joined: 04/04/2014

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LSA Superstar

December 15th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^

Not criticizing you because you're an MSU fan - welcome.  Dantonio has my begrudging but unequivocal respect.

But most of these guys don't run 2-gap 3-4s.  They run 1-gap 3-4s.  Think New York Jets.  And you're right that a 280 pound NT isn't ideal in these schemes, but it can still work very well with one so long as the nose is ultimately able to win one on one matchups and isn't utterly caved in by doubles.

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LSA Superstar

December 15th, 2015 at 12:17 PM ^

Potential hire grades, as based on (1) defensive S&P+/FEI performance, (2) alleged recruiting acumen, (3) recruiting grounds, and (4) age/ambition/personality:

1.) Aranda

Currently DC at Wisconsin, formerly of Utah State.  Elite, top-notch, consistent defensive performance at two different schools, neither of which had top tier talent.  Runs a 1-gap 3-4, so I don't think there's much transition cost.  Recruiting ties to the mountain states and the Midwest.  Young.  Weakest recruiter of the candidates.  A-; great hire that, in my opinion, is an even better scheme and teacher than Durkin, but isn't also a killer recruiter like Durkin.  Would feel very good with this hire.

2.) Anderson

Current Stanford DC.  One elite defensive year and one weak defensive year at Stanford - which was the fluke?  Runs a 3-4 that switches between 2-gap and 1-gap looks.  Coverage preference appears to be "downy-soft" to prevent big plays.  Young.  Recruiting ties to the mountain states and CA.  Exceptional recruiter who has experience working with Harbaugh.  Wants a HC spot badly.  B; good hire that wouldn't be much of a downgrade from Durkin.  Every bit the recruiter that Durkin was, but that track record really, really worries me.  Stanford's defense was brutal to watch this year.

3.) Leavitt

Current DC at Colorad.  Literally built a South Florida program from nothing, where his defense was the key to success.  Runs attacking, savage defense that does bizarre things with blitzing.  Shut down version 1.0 of the spread back in the late aughts.  Defensive performance at Colorado was... not good, but improved from "utterly abysmal."  Great recruiter who used to be a king in the Florida peninsula.  But his star was big time tarnished due to the allegation that he hit a player.  Defensive coach with Harbaugh in SF where he turned the 49er linebackers into a group of maniacs.  Old and probably unhireable as a HC.  B; reminds me of a Bill Belichick reclamation project but as a coach.  Probably a "buy low" situation.  Used to be an elite recruiter before his incident - can he get it back?  Used to be an elite scheme guy - has the game passed him buy?  Higher risk, higher reward than Anderson.

4.) Pees

Current DC with Ravens.  Former college DC of Nick Saban at MSU.  Was Kent State's head coach for four years after that.  Runs 1-gap 3-4 that was usually above average in Baltimore, sometimes good, never elite.  One trillion years old.  D+; would be very upset about this hire.  Would probably prefer to roll the dice with Jackson as opposed to this.

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bacon

December 15th, 2015 at 1:31 PM ^

"One trillion years old"

- Coached actual dinosaurs. Shifted Trex from offensive tackle to defensive tackle because his arms were too short for OT. Trex killed it on D. Got the raptors to attack when they saw run. Raptors killed it. Pterodactyls in the secondary formed the basis for the no fly zone.  Pterodactyls originated "O Lets Do It".

Joined: 01/04/2009

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BooKooBlue

December 15th, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^

Rashan Gary's mom wasn't a fan of the 3-4 defense. This was her take on the Auburn defense.

 

“I know they run a 3-4 defense, and I don’t know how good that would be for my son,” Jennifer Coney told the AJC.

“In that three-person line, their job is to hold the offensive line so the linebackers can come in to make the tackle. Well, how is Rashan supposed to shine in a 3-4? A 4-3 defense is what I prefer. It’s OK for him to play in a 3-4, only if they rotate in a 4-3. I just don’t see how playing in a 3-4 defense would benefit him.”

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