New name surfacing for DC
There may be a new name surfacing for the DC if Hopson turns it down. There is some talk of Mel Tucker, former DC of the Cleveland Browns under Romeo Crennel. Apparently he has NFL and Big Ten defensive coaching experience. There's a piece on GBW about it. Those posting over there seems rather enthused at the prospect. I don't know much about him, but the early talk of him is positive.
January 1st, 2009 at 12:59 PM ^
Didn't he coach at Ohio State?
January 1st, 2009 at 1:00 PM ^
He used to be the DB coach, and shared D coordinator for Ohio State. I don't know much more.
January 1st, 2009 at 1:01 PM ^
"if Hopson turns it down"? Is there some rumor out there that it is Hopson's job for the taking? Because that's news to me.
January 1st, 2009 at 1:06 PM ^
I thought I read a rumor about Hopson the other day on another message board that said he MIGHT be a candidate for a coaching position on the Oklahoma St. staff. That could be complete bulls**t, howevver.
January 1st, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
I couldn't imagine that Hopson would turn down that job if it were his for the taking. I'm skeptical that that's the case.
January 1st, 2009 at 1:19 PM ^
Can someone tell me why the hell we want Hopson in the first place? Isn't he the older fella that hasn't done so hot lately?
January 1st, 2009 at 2:47 PM ^
the longer it takes for the DC to be named, the better the chances that it's Hopson's job if he wants it.
The reason Hopson is being considered is because his defenses at Southern Miss led Conference USA for several years in total defense. Is he the answer for UM, who knows.
The real question is, does RR believe he is the guy to turn the defense around?
Tucker was with the Browns for five seasons, one as DC. Before that he was at OSU as the defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator under the Vest. Apparently he has no close ties to the Buckeyes any more.
January 1st, 2009 at 3:23 PM ^
Everyone feels like Hopson is settling because he is not really established as a DC; He has a SHORT history of some success as a DC. I think most people will agree with this... This is Michigan, they should be able to get a big name DC with a PROVEN track record.
I think Tucker would be a good hire given the fact he should have a ton of contacts in the midwest and has NFL experience, which could be great for recruiting. I'm a little disappointed there has been no word or rumors from the athletic department/RR. I don't get waiting until after bowl season.
January 1st, 2009 at 3:47 PM ^
I would suggest that you wait until somebody is hired before you try to "get it."
People were upset that Michigan had to wait so long to hire a new head coach...and we ended up with Rich Rodriguez. A new coach couldn't recruit anyone or implement any systems right now, anyway, since everyone's on break and it's a dead period.
January 1st, 2009 at 4:18 PM ^
Doesn't the dead period end tomorrow? You don't think a big name DC could get some recruits interested that maybe weren't before?
January 1st, 2009 at 4:20 PM ^
I do. And yet, there is still over a month until Signing Day. A few days probably won't make a difference.
(I thought the dead period was until January 4, but like I said, a day or two probably doesn't make a huge difference.)
January 1st, 2009 at 4:23 PM ^
Plus, it's not like we have 10 spots open for commits. We have about 5 left, and we're in good position to fill most, if not all of them. It's so late, it's not going to matter that much for this year.
January 1st, 2009 at 4:32 PM ^
...and coach Rich Rod, based on what he did last year, will be bringing in 5 high quality recruits, not just guys to fill out the class. I think U-M is in very good shape with a month to go in recruiting, and coach Rod knows a new DC won't change that.
However, Magnus has profferred his opinion on another blog posting that Roh could be a transfer or decommit candidate (and that could put Lewan in danger) because he wouldn't be a good DE fit in a 3-3-5. Mind, this is Magnus' opinion only. However, could Rich Rod actually be delaying his announcement until after signing day so he can secure these recruits, and then hire his 3-3-5 coordinator?
January 1st, 2009 at 4:35 PM ^
I don't think he'd delay for that reason. I don't think there's any way he could feasibly go without a defensive coordinator until February. I think every single one of our defensive commits would be gone by then.
Perhaps he wants to hire a guy who said, "Okay, I'll come be your defensive coordinator. But not until we beat Florida in the national championship game, so keep it quiet."
January 1st, 2009 at 5:05 PM ^
..I accept the recruiting issue. Just a thought - and I didn't mean to name drop you Magnus regarding Roh and Lewan, I just don't want de-commit speculation to become fact on this board.
Perhaps the coach has said, "I'll be your defensive coordinator, but not until after we beat Oklahoma."
Venables or Strong would be great pulls.
Just saw the USC Song Girls - life is great.
January 1st, 2009 at 5:07 PM ^
Not a problem. I just said that if we switch to a 3-3-5, a decommit from Roh is a possibility. That's a completely defensible position, so I'm not worried about it.
January 1st, 2009 at 4:36 PM ^
I wonder why Ken isn't getting any mention for any of the openings. He sure has USC's linebackers playing well. Although, he did turn down an offer to join UCLA's staff (last January).
January 1st, 2009 at 4:38 PM ^
I'd be happy with Ken Norton, Jr. I can see why he'd turn down an offer from UCLA, though - that's USC's bitter rival and Norton is a USC alum.
January 1st, 2009 at 5:59 PM ^
Ken Norton Jr. is a UCLA alum, not USC.
January 1st, 2009 at 6:00 PM ^
My bad.
January 1st, 2009 at 4:59 PM ^
Recruiting prowess is fine, but I'd like someone who has demonstrated their ability to coordinate a defense.
January 1st, 2009 at 8:24 PM ^
I've heard it's going to be the Raven's DC. But I can't reveal where I got my KNOWLEDGE. lol
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:37 PM ^
Any update about Mel Tucker?
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:37 PM ^
Any update about Mel Tucker?
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 PM ^
We've all been thinking Hopson or Casteel. If it's gonna be Hopson, why hasn't he been named yet? Casteel seems to want to stay at WVU until his kids are older. We're also supposedly waiting for the Bowls to be over. The Daily mentions ECU's asst. head coach and DBs coach, Rick Smith, as a DC candidate. ECU plays tonight (Friday, Jan. 2). Smith was RR's DC at Tulane in '98 (when the Green Wave was 12-0). Is Mr. Smith possibly the person for which RR is waiting?