Per reports, 2nd coach has already been signed, signs point to it being Tank Wright as previously stated on the board
Per an article from Maize n brew, we have already filled both coaching vacancies and are just awaiting the announcement but by all accounts it is Tank Wright, which was previously mentioned on the board. But it appears he has already changed some of his social media to represent he is a coach for Michigan, so seems like a done deal.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:18 AM ^
I think either Lorenz or Webb stated last night on Twitter that Tank was at some coaching convention along with most of the other current staff members.
So this definitely makes sense and all but guarantees he is the 2nd hire.
January 17th, 2020 at 10:24 AM ^
So was Bush Sr.
But Tank’s twitter bio now says he’s a football coach at Michigan, so it’s probably him.
Hope he kills it in the recruiting trail.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:21 AM ^
Makes sense to have a young coach at the LB position since that is Don Brown’s primary position as well. It will help transition him into coaching the position while he brings youth and energy to recruiting further players.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:25 AM ^
Before everyone gets in an uproar about not hiring a "proven elite recruiter" we should remember that Chris Pratridge had absolutely no recruiting experience at the college level before coming to Michigan.
This is a good hire. Hopefully Tank Wright works his way to the top like Patridge did.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:27 AM ^
Hopefully Tank Williams works his way to the top like Patridge did.
I hope Tank Wright does as well!
January 17th, 2020 at 9:29 AM ^
Lol got me
January 17th, 2020 at 9:56 AM ^
What about Tank Williams Jr.? I always enjoyed his work.
January 17th, 2020 at 10:20 AM ^
Nah, Tank III can shred better than his Dad or Grandpa.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:31 AM ^
For all accounts, Tank seems to be a guy that the players really like and makes really good connection with them which should lead him to being a very good recruiter. My larger worry is who are we going to have take over the New Jersey region because we are in for a fair number of recruits in that region
January 17th, 2020 at 9:37 AM ^
Agreed. It seemed like Partridge wasn't able to do as well with NJ after a year or two out of coaching there. That may be because we focused him on our big recruiting contests in the south or because of something else
January 17th, 2020 at 9:39 AM ^
The guy got married in the weight room lol. It's good he's popular on our team, but we'll see how quickly he can build his external network.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:57 AM ^
What does one have to do with the other?
January 17th, 2020 at 9:48 AM ^
One year ago Joe Brady was an offensive assistant, 2 years ago he was a grad assistant. I know its a risk, but its possible to catch young hungry guys early in their careers and they end up being special. Presumably he's shown a really good ability to relate to players and that may translate into recruiting really well.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:59 AM ^
What shouldn't be lost here should be quite evident to anyone who is married. Wright got his wife to agree to make their marriage vows in a ....weight room.
Let that sink in a moment...
Now, those must require some fine manipulation and influencing skills, to get a woman to agree to this. This tells me he's an A+ personality and will crush it on the trail.
Anyone married here want to rebuff my claim?
January 17th, 2020 at 10:22 AM ^
Your comment reminds me of Lyndon Johnson's two rules for a happy marriage. First, tell the wife you will do whatever she wants. Second, do whatever she wants.
January 17th, 2020 at 10:41 AM ^
This guy convinced his now wife to get married in a weight room. I couldn't even convince my ex to watch the original Star Wars.
January 17th, 2020 at 1:05 PM ^
Your ex? Sounds like the problem fixed itself.
January 17th, 2020 at 11:56 AM ^
You know, I don't care if she were a body builder or a trainer, as well. Getting her to agree to marry in a weight room - where she can't easily bring in all of her family and friends, takes some talent. I wouldn't even try... He'll probably be a pretty good recruiter.
January 17th, 2020 at 10:28 AM ^
What? Chris ran a very successful high school program and had a ton of contacts in the East and quickly brought 5 star players to Ann Arbor. I don't know Tank and could be a great guy, but has zero track record at anything outside of playing football then being an S&C coach. I'm sure he will work hard but when you lose your two top recruiters and replace them with a former DC that is not known as a recruiter and a guy on the S&C staff, something is wrong internally with the perception of where recruiting is currently at. These hires have more risk then reward.
January 17th, 2020 at 11:15 AM ^
Yes. He seems like one of the most unproven guys we've hired to the staff. Partridge was a successful high school coach. Moore was a cmu coach. Seems like harbaugh likes to show everyone how smart he is with these type of things sometimes like when we offered Kurt Taylor. Just do the sensible thing and hire a coach who has shown he can do it like Clinkscale.
January 17th, 2020 at 11:43 AM ^
Harbaugh has no other schtick other than hiring wildcard assistance coaches.
January 17th, 2020 at 10:00 PM ^
And how about the Greg Frey experiment.
January 17th, 2020 at 10:10 PM ^
I think Harbaugh sees a guy that has potential, and he isn't going to be leaving anytime soon. This is a great hire because it will likely be a 3-5 year position hold. It's unfortunate that he won't be an immediate HR, but the continuity of the staff seems to be one of the biggest obstacles for the program
January 17th, 2020 at 12:15 PM ^
Yeah he only built an elite powerhouse in New Jersey out of nothing by recruiting guys like Peppers and Gary but other than that small detail you are totally right.
January 17th, 2020 at 5:49 PM ^
Exactly DJ before Partridge came to Michigan most people wouldn’t have known the guy if they had been locked in a phone booth with him now you have people talking like it’s the end of the world that he’s leaving and why are we hiring Tank. He may end up even better then Chris and prove to be the next great up and coming coach. People need to relax and give him a chance
January 17th, 2020 at 9:26 AM ^
As much as people love to complain, these were 2 great hires by Harbaugh. Schoop is a defensive wizard who has worked with Don Brown, but also has his own experiences. Could bring some new perspective to the defense.
Tank Wright is a S&C assistant who the players RAVE about. How can you not love a guy who wears a 45lb weight around as a necklace? This is a recruiting hire. He will learn under Brown & Schoop, but will make his mark as a young guy who can relate on the recruiting trail.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:53 AM ^
exactly. THANK YOU. Now I don't have also type that.
these really are two great hires.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:54 AM ^
Shoop is potentially great for succession planning & stability as well. If Brown opts to leave in the coming years, we have a potential built-in replacement - assuming he proves himself in the meantime.
January 17th, 2020 at 3:09 PM ^
Assuming he's not a one and done either
January 17th, 2020 at 9:57 AM ^
Being a defensive wizard means absolutely nothing when your 280-pound defensive tackles getting mauled by a giant offensive guard.
January 17th, 2020 at 10:06 AM ^
Agree 100%.
I know we all love to bag on the program in the off-season because of the annual two game losing streak, but these are two legitimately excellent hires, one to help Brown and one to connect with the kids.
I have this strange sensation overtaking me, one I hardly recognize... could it be...optimism????
January 17th, 2020 at 10:15 AM ^
In Soviet Russia, opt mizes you!
January 17th, 2020 at 9:28 AM ^
I know people are angered by the thought of promoting someone without any coaching experience but I’m keeping an open mind. The guy is young he was a recruit himself less than 10 years ago, had a cup of coffee in the NFL at a position he is presumed to be coaching here. Not everyone needs to go the GA route, and I think he has high potential as a recruiter.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:30 AM ^
I'm waiting to have an opinion until section1 and/or maizen tell me how I should feel about his recruiting abilities.
/s
January 17th, 2020 at 10:00 AM ^
Spoiler alert: you should feel bad. Unproven, and clearly proves Harbaugh has lost it.
That work?
January 17th, 2020 at 9:38 AM ^
"hope is not a strategy"
This guy has no coaching experience nor recruiting experience... sure it could work out and i legit hope it does but a program like Michigan should be able to hire people with a lot better resume for these kind of open positions.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:50 AM ^
Surely the guy helped land our recruits on visits. Give Harbaugh more benefit of doubt please. He singlehandedly destroyed the MSU rise. He took back the state recruits. There was a time were the programs could have really changed places for the long haul.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:55 AM ^
He singlehandedly destroyed the MSU rise. H
You keep saying it, but that's beyond stupid. Mork tanked that program totally independent of Harbaugh. Harbaugh didn't make Mork put rapists at the top of his recruiting board or go 3-9.
January 17th, 2020 at 10:05 AM ^
How on earth did this get downvoted?? To actually believe that Michigan single-handedly brought MSU football crashing to the ground is beyond absurd. Honestly guys, come on...
January 17th, 2020 at 12:03 PM ^
Why did Mack bring a rapist in? Maybe because he damn near lost the 2015 game - when his team went to the CFP! UM's recruiting was also ticking back up. He knew he had to up the ante and bring in better players than he was getting. There was pressure applied by Harbaugh that was immediately felt in EL.
That said, I wouldn't agree that JH "single-handedly" shut down MSU.
January 17th, 2020 at 12:29 PM ^
Mike benefited from being a good defensive coach and being incredibly lucky with his QBs. The second that luck ran out, so did his success. Now MSU is a shit offense paired with somewhere between a good to great defense.
He also played fast and loose with discipline and it eventually caught up to him.
January 17th, 2020 at 10:02 AM ^
this isn't about giving Harbaugh the benefit of the doubt... if you see any of my posts you know I think their recruiting is about as good as can be expected given on the field production. That being said you need better on-field production.
If M wants to close the gap they need to be making gains in all areas... I don't believe that filling an open position with a guy who has no experience in either coaching or recruiting is the best candidate on the market.
January 17th, 2020 at 12:09 PM ^
I'm going to say that he does have experience with both. As the S&C guy, he is coaching players every day - and, from all reports, the players LOVE him. No, he wasn't coaching them to be a better LB, but he is coaching them. He played in the NFL as a LB, and (obviously) has pretty good college experience on the field for a decent defense in the SEC. Dude knows LB drills and has experience with big time football practices. He'll be fine learning under Don Brown.
For recruiting, there is zero chance he was not involved with every 'croot that came through Bo's building. I have no doubt that he's already proven himself in that field.
Harbaugh has a good record of choosing assistant coaches. I suspect Tank has earned his promotion.
January 17th, 2020 at 10:08 PM ^
but a program like Michigan should be able to hire people with a lot better resume for these kind of open positions.
I read about successful coaches all across America who are ripe for a promotion to coaching at a school like Michigan. They are proven for years. But so far I've only seen 2 hired by Jim Harbaugh, Ed Warinner and Don Brown. The staff should be chock-full of them.
No need to wonder why Nick Saban is successful when, partly why, he does nothing but hire those type of coaches.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:41 AM ^
As a naturally pretty risk-averse person, I'm not crazy about this hire but Harbaugh knows a lot more about this than I do, so let's see how it goes. Hoping for the best, Go Blue!
January 17th, 2020 at 9:42 AM ^
You hire young, stud recruiters like Washington, and Campanile..and they leave after 1 year. Maybe the thought is Tank will learn, and stick around a few years? I don't know man...I'm exhausted trying to keep up with coaching staff changes and how that transpires to on field performance. Just win.
January 17th, 2020 at 6:01 PM ^
Coaching carousels and transfer portals. I get it.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:46 AM ^
Save us, Nick Sheridan. You're our only hope.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:47 AM ^
He is likely very personable and be a great recruiter.
January 17th, 2020 at 9:51 AM ^
He should probably update his Linkedin.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenarius-tank-wright-38560aa7/