New DC possibilities
One has to imagine that JH was informed by his brother about Macdonald's possible departure before it hit the media yesterday. So the search for a replacement is likely well along. Speculation for replacing from within centers on Elston or Clink or both as co-DCs.
If JH decides to go outside program the article linked below gives some idea of who might be available. It is about Notre Dame's DC search, and names the following DCs: Tem Lukabu (BC), Doug Belk (Houston), Joe Rossi (Minn), plus former Miami (ytm) HC Al Golden (currentlyLB coach for the Bengals).
https://www.si.com/college/bostoncollege/basketball/tem-lukabu-notre-dame-defensive-coordinator-candidate
January 27th, 2022 at 8:05 AM ^
I thought Jim and John were just gonna swap.
January 27th, 2022 at 9:44 AM ^
I can understand swapping wives but swapping DC's is a bit too disturbing for me.
January 27th, 2022 at 10:33 AM ^
Username checks out
January 27th, 2022 at 8:12 AM ^
The first question any candidate will ask is, "who is my boss going to be?" Until Jim decides what he wants to do, the search for a DC candidate will merely be a gathering of names until that is resolved.
So, that leads to: "what is the unfounded Jim Harbaugh coaching rumor for today?"
January 27th, 2022 at 9:05 AM ^
So, that leads to: "what is the unfounded Jim Harbaugh coaching rumor for today?"
Go into the bathroom, turn off the lights, and shine a flashlight on your face. Then ask this question 3 times into the mirror. I guarantee a Jim Harbaugh coaching rumor post will appear on the board within seconds.
Or just wait. There's guaranteed to be one any time now...
January 27th, 2022 at 8:13 AM ^
Is there a Michael MacDowell that we could hire? He would be almost exactly like MacDonald's, but instead of the Golden Arches defense, we would have the Golden Arcs.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:18 AM ^
Or Mc’Dowell’s.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:27 AM ^
Does his defense have seeds?
January 27th, 2022 at 11:59 AM ^
They got the Big Mac, we got the Big Mic
January 27th, 2022 at 8:17 AM ^
It seems more likely to me that both Coach Harbaugh's talked through this awhile ago and knew it was happening and just timed the announcement.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:20 AM ^
Can we just hire the singer Michael McDonald?
January 27th, 2022 at 8:35 AM ^
Yah mo be your DC
January 27th, 2022 at 8:39 AM ^
My goodness was this hilarious and well done!
January 27th, 2022 at 8:39 AM ^
My goodness was this hilarious and well done!
January 27th, 2022 at 9:34 AM ^
If I hear yah mo be there one more time, I'm going to yah mo burn this place to the ground.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:36 AM ^
oh, what a fool believes
[dont @ me, I know that was written by Kenny Loggins]
January 27th, 2022 at 9:45 AM ^
"I keep forgetting how to blitz anyone"
January 27th, 2022 at 10:35 AM ^
You don't know me but I'm your Deeee Ceeee
January 27th, 2022 at 8:31 AM ^
Larry Foote
January 27th, 2022 at 8:51 AM ^
Jim Harbaugh has reportedly already reached out
January 27th, 2022 at 8:53 AM ^
I like it, but think it should be as Co-DC with Clink. The three-headed monster of Clink, Elston and Foote on the recruiting trail would attract some elite defenders.
Clink - Co-DC/secondary
Foote -Co-DC/linebackers
January 27th, 2022 at 9:09 AM ^
Want to start locking down Detroit again? Larry Foote should be able to make an impact
January 27th, 2022 at 9:13 AM ^
I like this. A clink/Elston co-dc just didn't sit well with me, but I like the idea of Foote coming in. Granted he has no coordinator experience, it worked well for Macdonald. Still with co-dc there still has to be a main one calling the plays it has got to be Clink over Foote.
Foote beat OSU 2/4 years and was there with Bellamy. I'll take it
January 27th, 2022 at 9:08 AM ^
I remember this Foote gem from 2014:
"They better change up their recruiting," said Foote, a Detroit native. "They better get some (coaches) in there that can get some NFL talent. Like I said before, Michigan better go back to the 'hood. They got too many trust-fund babies in there, and they look like that when they're playing. They got guys out there that are just happy, they're happy they're at Michigan, they're losing and smiling. And that's just not Michigan football. And that's got to change."
January 27th, 2022 at 9:11 AM ^
Get this man on the recruiting trail!
January 27th, 2022 at 9:59 AM ^
But you can also win without slugs. JB proved it.
January 27th, 2022 at 9:42 AM ^
Foote is supposedly next in line to take over for Todd Bowles as DC in Tampa so he may wait to see if Bowles gets a head coaching job.
January 27th, 2022 at 10:01 AM ^
Harbaugh has in fact reached out to Foote, and Foote is waiting to see what happens with Bowles. Foote would be very similar to Mike. He wants to be an NFL coordinator, so Michigan might only get him for 2-3 years. Obviously Michigan is like home for Foote so it would have to be a really good offer for him to leave UM if he comes. But he would be looking to move with the right deal. Obviously no offer has gone out yet anyways, but just a matter of fact kind of statement. Foote would be a good fit and Harbaugh has gauged interest. Not sure how long he’ll wait to see what happens with Bowles.
January 27th, 2022 at 11:57 AM ^
Why is the name Chris Partridge not mentioned? Good coach. Helluva recruiter.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:32 PM ^
My personal opinion is Partridge is average. Not bad but not elite. He was above average as a position coach but just average as a DC. If he was above average, Ole Miss would have just promoted him to full time DC when Durkin left. Lots of better options out there.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:32 AM ^
I'm going to guess that this was known to be a possibility when Elston was hired and he was told he'd be getting the DC position when it opened either this season or next. (or possibly the same offer was make to Clink)
Again, timing sucks.... i would have loved to see us grab Sean Spencer after the Giants canned their coaching staff. Spence accepted a position with Duke, but before he was officially hired he accepted an offer to be DL/co-DC at Florida.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:44 AM ^
Sounds like it would have been a real commitment on his part
January 27th, 2022 at 11:21 AM ^
I think Elston was looking for a safe landing spot, Kelly brought him in and it is not certain Freeman was going to retain him. So he reached out to Michigan for a spot on the staff. I highly doubt Harbaugh made assurances to him that he would be DC.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:32 AM ^
bring in new DC every year so that teams cant study film. Jim out there playing 3-D chess...
January 27th, 2022 at 8:38 AM ^
Sarcasm aside, it's also hard for our own team to study film when coordinators change every year.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:38 AM ^
The Coach’s Gambit
January 27th, 2022 at 8:35 AM ^
There's a few good ones we could snag still...
Jim Leonhard-Wisconsin Badgers-Makes 1.1 million but is UW alum, Make him an offer to say no too.
Glenn Schumann-Georgia Bulldogs, We all saw UGA defense. Young too
Derek Mason-Oklahoma State Cowboys, Just accepted the job but maybe he would reconsider since he worked with JH at stanford.
Jimmy Lake-Washington, Didnt work out for him as HC but his defenses were solid.
There's more options but this is who i would look at first.
Edit: According to 247 JH has reached out to Larry Foote for DC roll at michigan.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:43 AM ^
I’m sure plenty of schools have tried this with Leonard. He must be waiting to take over as HC at Wisconsin.
January 27th, 2022 at 9:18 AM ^
Leanord is not leaving Wisconsin.
January 27th, 2022 at 9:30 AM ^
Money talks and people said the same thing about Lincoln Riley or Brian Kelly in the offseason. Do I think he leaves, No, But id sure give him a call with a big fat raise offer to say no too. You don't know if you don't try.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:22 PM ^
Unless it’s a head coaching job he right in line now at his alma mater.
He is a great coach. Might actually be better than Chryst who I think is predictable vanilla.
He is making good money so unless it was a huge bankroll I don’t see him going lateral.
January 27th, 2022 at 9:10 AM ^
I wouldnt be mad at Foote. 3x SB winner, was great at UM. Understands 3/4 concepts
January 27th, 2022 at 9:15 AM ^
He could also very conveniently step straight into the DC/LB coach role MMD is leaving
January 27th, 2022 at 9:24 AM ^
He's apparently on Cameo. Someone needs to pony up and ask him what's up.
January 27th, 2022 at 9:48 AM ^
Word up?
January 27th, 2022 at 9:58 AM ^
What you did there, I saw.
January 27th, 2022 at 10:02 AM ^
Wordle??
Oops, wrong thread.