Shaun Nua leaving for USC job

Submitted by Cousin Larry on January 5th, 2022 at 9:02 AM

Per the Twitters.

This is a chance for the athletic department to show its commitment to Harbaugh and let him spend big to get a great replacement.

1VaBlue1

January 5th, 2022 at 9:51 AM ^

Did you not notice the development with Hinton and Smith this year?  Or Jenkins and Moore?  Or the DL recruiting this cycle?  As the 'Defensive Line' coach, he also oversaw the development of Hutchinson, Ojabo, and Harrell, if not being directly responsible for their daily coaching.

Or do you just wish to remain obtuse?

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MJ14

January 5th, 2022 at 10:05 AM ^

You’ll be disappointed to learn he did not develop Hutchinson, Ojabo or Harrell. Also Hinton and Smith were good not great this year and both were highly rated recruits. I believe you’ll see better improvement next year from them.

Defensive line recruiting in this class was OK. I like the prospects they brought in for depth but he couldn’t close on any high 4 or 5 stars. Michigan had a shot at some higher ranked guys that Nua couldn’t close on. National Championships are won with elite defensive line. Michigan defensive line was never going to be elite with Nua. Solid sure, not elite.

Also Nua had almost nothing to do with Benny coming on board at Michigan so we’ll go ahead and get that out of the way too before you try to point that out wrongly. Macdonald wanted him gone. He was a weak link. He gave him a year to prove himself on his staff and then encouraged him to find a spot.

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TheDirtyD

January 5th, 2022 at 10:56 AM ^

Agreed Hinton and Smith were solid players but I think they were the beneficiaries of teams paying all their attention to Hutch and Ojabo. I never was impressed with Nua this year the man issues with the DT’s was amplified in the UGA game poor leverage and pad level was something they all struggled with. I think Michigan will find a better coach in all honesty.   

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alum96

January 5th, 2022 at 6:06 PM ^

Those are 5 and high 4 stars who did little under his regime.  Generally anyone of any physical ability will improve in their 3rd year.   The DTs were solid not great this year.  Did you see what Georgia rolled out at DT? Similar starz! He had a lot work with.  A year ago this blog wanted him run out of town for lack of development.  He didn't coach DEs.

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Ezekiels Creatures

January 7th, 2022 at 11:05 PM ^

So I guess you didn't see the middle of the D Line getting run over and blown open by Georgia. And there has been no great interior D Line recruiting since Nua has been here. Every great prospect that had initially shown interest in Michigan has ultimately gone elsewhere. Don't remember the continual disappointments over that?

I am almost as happy that Shaun Nua is gone as I was when Brian Jean-Mary left.

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chunkums

January 5th, 2022 at 9:13 AM ^

I imagine Osborne will become the DL coach. He was an "analyst" who was very involved with the DL this year. DL recruits always mentioned him when they committed.

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MJ14

January 5th, 2022 at 9:32 AM ^

Ryan did more for the defensive line this year than Nua ever thought of doing. There’s a reason he’s making a lateral move elsewhere after Michigan just went to the semi-finals. He was encouraged to go to open a spot for a new defensive line coach. He was the weak spot on the staff. 

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