Shuffling of Defensive Assistant Duties

It doesn't mean I want him calling plays or teaching or any of that.

But he, as head coach, has input on the offense. He is also the only person that can tell the OC what to do when it comes to play calling.

I think if Hoke had a better idea of what to do on offense he would've been able to say "Hey Al...we're out of sync, maybe we should try no huddle." Or "Hey Al, that zone stretch isn't working...let's run something else." Or "Al, we've been killing them all day with the misdirection...don't stop until they make you stop."

As it was last year, he usually just waited until the defense was on the field again.

I don't expect him to have ANY kind of expertise. But you're still responsible for it.

Someone gave the analogy of a company (below).

I'd respond with no...the CEO shouldn't mess with those other departments...but he/she should at least know the basics. 

As a supervisor, I never allow any of my guys to be indispensible. I may not be able to do what they can do as good as they can. They may be experts at it. But if shit breaks...I can at least come up with an idea or two to fix it. I can at least locate the problem even if I can't fix it.

So if we can't run, I'm not expect Hoke to draw up plays to make the run game work. But I do expect him to say "Hey Al, we can't run...let's try some short passes so we can keep the ball." Hoke may not know what short passes to call, but that's not the point. The point is Borges isn't up there with no one to answer to (you know what I mean).

No. Ass.

What I said was more involved.

All I meant was know when to go no huddle when not to...when not allow the OC to call the some off tackle/zone stretch play over and over that loses the game.

Simple things that are the head coaches responsibility.

Don't put words in my mouth.

No, we need the guy that earns over 4 million dollars a year to be a head coach, and if that means he doesn't know how to coach the offense then he shouldn't run the show. Flame me, see how much I care.

At least RR played defense in college.

RR was involved on defense.  That was part of the problem.  The 3-3-5 was not Shafer or GERG's idea.  If RR had allowed Shafer the freedom to run his own defense, he might still be our coach.

I don't expect Hoke to get THAT involved. But in your organization...those people have to answer to their boss. And just because their boss can't do what they can do, doesn't mean he/she isn't responsible for it and shouldn't have a working knowledge of what they do and how they do it.

I don't want Hoke calling plays. But I would've loved to have seen him tell Al during the PSU game to stop running the stretch play that was losing yards. I would've liked to see him say "this isn't working, maybe we should try something else."

He doesn't have to pick specifcally what that "something else" is...but just to have the insight and knowledge and understanding to know what we need to be doing is enough.

So no, he doesn't need to call plays. However, he needs to be more involved where he can at least go "stay with that" or "stop that" (I'm being short because I've responded to this twice now).

Just like if Rich Rod were to ever say "hey, we're giving them too much cushion...let's try walking the CBs up some this possession" I wouldn't mind. Not if we were losing by 20+ because our DBs are 15 yards off the line.

It's just the simple checks and balances of a team that I'm talking about.

Some (not you) have taken it way out of proportion.

Clearly...

I'm honestly want to see now how much of a difference this makes on the D-line play because I've always thought that a HC's job is to oversee all of the position coaches and not Role-Play as one. I think it will be better having one coach who will specifically coach the D-line rather than manage the whole team and then coach the D-line.

The Snark is strong with this one.

But the DL could improve simply because of the players.  Maybe returning so much talent on the ends will make the job of the DTs that much easier?  Maybe returning all starting LBs (and having JMFR full-go) will make teams game plan differently?  Maybe an improved secondary will have a similar effect?  

Regardless of the change, positive or negative, it will be hard to say how much, if anything, is do to this rather small shake up.

Hoke was pretty good at the nuts and bolts in '97.

if they improve on DL then hoke did his job as head coach, he found a way to improve the team overall.  stepping back and overseeing the entire program on daily basis could be what he feels he needs...maybe wants to get better feel for his team by focusing on all groups rather than just checking in with other position coaches and coordinators after DL sessions.  or maybe he just wants to free himself up to oversee installation of nussmeiers O as well as helping to mold his young OL, along with all other executive type tasks.  i always thought it was strange the way they had the D staff structured anyway (not criticizing, just curious allignment of responsibilities)- the DC and HC handling the DL groups while 2 assistants handle the ILB and OLB....just very odd, not sure ive ever heard of similar setup.  itd be great if the DL improves and they may marginally do so just due to natural progression and maturation of younger kids....but they also do not have enough talent yet to truly make a difference.  i think theyll be better and more sound on back end and might be better against the run after another year but i dont ensivion any drastic improvement in 2014 given the absence of pass rushers to win 1on1s  (unless charlton or someone skyrockets up with 9-10 sacks and the DTs chip in along with clarks likely 4-5 sacks - yes people frank clark will never be the all american or first team all leauger some continue to predict each offseason, he is what he is and thats a pretty decent ball player).  encouraging though to see hoke realizes changes needed to be made and a small shuffle on D hopefully freshens things up along with nussmeier on O

You had your Wheaties this morning, did you?  You seem particularly feisty today. :-)

Nuss was being encouraged to look around at Alabama since Saban wanted to bring in Kiffin.  That rumor was going around a few days before the Nussmeier hire.  Michigan wound up being a perfect landing spot for him.  If he turns around Michigan's offense and Michigan starts winning 10+ games a season, then he's as hot as of a head coaching candidate as there is.

And if things go awry at Michigan and he and the rest of the staff are out of a job in a year or two, he'd still be able to land a good OC position elsewhere as the failures at Michigan would be seen as Hoke's fault and not his.

and thought being outside the 50 comment attention threshold  (and during Friday Happy Hour) might allow it to slip in unnoticed.  Damn you, Timmmaay and your bloodhound-like senses.