Is Minter really gone?
It's generally assumed (and reported as fact) that Minter has been hired by the Chargers, but Jim's press conference made it seem like his DC search is still an ongoing process, though he liked Minter a lot. Meanwhile, when asked by McCafee about replacements for Minter, Coach Moore said they haven't "replaced the defensive coordinator yet..." thought they have guys in the boat to do that (if necessary). He then went on to talk about how great the staff is and how they were trying to retain as many of them as possible. Is it possible there's still an ongoing battle for Minter's services, and, if so, couldn't UM offer him $3-4 million per year (perhaps they have?) to see if the Chargers really want to match that? It's one thing for the Bolts to ante up $16 million for Jim, but do they really want to outbid Michigan for every other staff member? Cue the "no one knows anything" responses, but has there been a definitive report (or even a somewhat solid insider account) that Minter has told UM or the players that he's gone? If there has been and I missed it, then apologies!
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:08 AM ^
Yes he is gone
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:09 AM ^
Yes, he gone.
No, I have no source for that. But still, he gone.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:10 AM ^
Who knows but I think the Rooney rule applies to coordinators as well so maybe that is the hold up?
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:19 PM ^
bingo
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:11 AM ^
All part of the plan...
Harbaugh thinks he's picking up Minter at the airport, and Warde gets off the plane.
Minter and Moore are in the head coach's office drinking champagne and laughing.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:17 AM ^
So Warde's gonna be Jim's Defensive Coordinator?
I like it.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:41 AM ^
He'll offer a decided schematic advantage.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:53 AM ^
He will approach playcalling with a transformational mindset rather than transactional.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:54 AM ^
underappreciated joke
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:39 PM ^
Warde will coach the NTs only - or as they like to be called these days, the 1Ts.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:49 AM ^
Wouldn’t that be something. Just when Jim thought he left him in A2
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:39 PM ^
Nutritionist
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:18 AM ^
The Chargers tab Warde as the team's new GM.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:25 AM ^
Yep. "what, didn't they tell you? signed the contract yesterday"
February 2nd, 2024 at 12:11 PM ^
Harbaugh would walk back to Ann Arbor if that happened.
See the Brady Hoke reference
February 2nd, 2024 at 12:17 PM ^
Maybe we send Rick Minter and see if Harbaugh notices. Maybe Harbaugh will respect the gambit and let it ride.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:14 AM ^
Minter is gone. Harbaugh's presser, linked in another board post, makes it sound like they are still negotiating. Minter has to be the hottest DC candidate out there right now. Harbaugh and McDonald both have to want him. Ravens hired that Orr guy and TN hired Dennard (NTD) Wilson as DCs with "Ravens" experience. There are a crazy amount of new NFL coaches this year, so I'm sure some of them want to install a Ravens' style D as well.
Also, seeing McDonald get a HC job after two years as the Raven's DC has to be encouraging for Minter. He's not going to stand pat.
EDIT: I previously brain farted that McDonald was with the Ravens as DC for one year. It was two.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:33 AM ^
Not that it matters much. Was Macdonald the Ravens DC for one year, or two? I thought it was two.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:36 AM ^
Although that 2021 victory over OSU feels like yesterday, Macdonald has been the DC in Balt for 2 years now.
February 2nd, 2024 at 12:13 PM ^
With Moore's past relationship with Charlie Strong, do you think any chance he is considered to join staff?
Great recruiter
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:45 PM ^
Would Strong like to be the new LBs coach? I could go for that, but no way would I like to see him as the DC or co-DC.
February 2nd, 2024 at 12:09 PM ^
Yeah, the holdup appears to be because multiple NFL teams may want him, not because U-M is still making a play.
Which makes sense. Both our coordinators were in line for a promotion, but we could only offer it to one of them and went with Moore. Minter is leaving to get a promotion of his own (most would consider NFL DC to be an upgrade over college DC).
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:51 PM ^
Didn’t McDonald leave Michigan to be the DC with the Ravens?
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:15 AM ^
Lessons learned from many years on MGoBlog...
It's not officially official until it is official.
No one knows anything.
And also, chances are the you aren't the contrarian who has cracked the case.
Could Minter somehow be persuaded to stay/come back? Perhaps. Do we have a track record of that? Not really. Are heisservices in demand beyond Harbaugh in the NFL and are there open DC jobs? Yes.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:18 AM ^
An additional lesson I've learned: Don't give the "insiders" clicks until after their information is verified. They're good guys, but man I wish I could have all those hours back that I lost in October and November that I gave them.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:13 PM ^
People who should be smart enough to realize these 'insiders' make a living on driving traffic/clicks yet not realizing these 'insiders' are purposefully creating headlines to generate traffic/clicks...will always be funny. C'mon people! These insiders are getting paid off your hopes, fears, and emotions! Be better
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:15 AM ^
He'll never really be gone as long as we remember him...
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:16 AM ^
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:16 AM ^
Well, there's gone for good, and there's good and gone
And there's gone with the long before it
I wish HE'D been just a little more clear
Well, there's gone for the day and gone for the night
And gone for the rest of your doggone life
Is it whiskey night, or just a couple beers?
I mean, what kinda gone are we talkin' 'bout here?
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:19 AM ^
They are never ever getting back together.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:51 AM ^
Like a left field home run ball.
Like a whiskey shot at last call.
It’s like Jesse was made for movin’ on.
That DC was going, going, gone.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:17 AM ^
Punxsutawany Phil didn't see his shadow, so as much as I'd like to say Minter is not over, the groundhog has spoken.
Dad joke for groundhog's day. Apologies in advance.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:19 AM ^
I mean, is Harbaugh truly gone? He hasn't actually even coached a game in LA yet.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:24 AM ^
And even then, he said he's actually just merging Michigan with the Chargers so he really isn't going anyways, just opening a new branch office out west.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:31 AM ^
So that's why Moore hasn't pursued a grad transfer at QB. Herbert is going to play Saturdays in Ann Arbor and Sundays in LA.
February 2nd, 2024 at 12:33 PM ^
In many ways, the Big Boy never left.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:04 PM ^
The University of Michigan - Los Angeles Charging Wolverines?
I dig it. Feels like a likely NCAA violation though.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:19 AM ^
Lo, here the gentle Minter mounts up on high and leaves this place - yet shall always remain the majesty of his bouncing wave to the Columbus sidelines.
I'm sorry and will miss him, but "he gone", man. I'm to the point this morning where I just want all the announcements that will be hitting next week to hit so that we can start to see Sherrone and Clink and the crew build on what's been established. Jim and John's cadre of Ravens have given us an incredible view from their shoulders. It's not bad to be born on 3rd base - that's a gift. It's bad to not recognize what you've been given and respect those that made it possible and then take it even further. New era. LFG.
February 2nd, 2024 at 12:16 PM ^
Hear, hear! Excelsior!
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
Macdonald called Jim and said " not so fast,my friend."
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:26 AM ^
"...whoah. Can they catch him? No."
He is that amount of gone.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:33 AM ^
No post has ever simultaneously made me happy and sad like this one.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:38 AM ^
Is that you John Wayne? Is this me?
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:38 AM ^
This reminds me of those two women journalists in Kalamazoo who swore that Elvis was still alive and that they saw him in an empty office building. They simply had refused to believe that Elvis really passed a few years earlier and swore he was working for the government.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:38 AM ^
For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure I read that Minter met with the UM players to tell them he was leaving. Officially unofficial...
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:43 AM ^
Take it for what it is worth, but Jake Hefner, host of the "Chargers Unleashed" podcast, reported last Friday that Sam Webb reported that Minter "has informed players that he will joining Jim Harbaugh as the new defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers."
As others have speculated, perhaps the delay is because McDonald is also making a play.