Thoughts on retaining Nuss

Submitted by tjl7386 on

So I have seen in various reports now that Coach Nuss would like to stay on at Michigan and help re-build this team to what he believes it should be. Just was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on this? Would people be up in arms if he was kept on or is that something we would be open to.

I don't know nearly as much as some on this site when it comes to watching the tape and whether last years offense was bad becuase of poor exucution and talent missing at certain posititions or if it just really poor coaching. I just don't see how he could have been so sucessful at Bama and then come here and look that poorly. Would seem to me that there had to be other factors as to why we looked so poorly on that side of the ball.

 

evenyoubrutus

December 20th, 2014 at 9:09 AM ^

I think he's a perfect fit with Harbaugh. It would also make the transition that much easier. The only thing I'm unsure of is that Nussmeier is a QB specialist and so is Harbaugh. I'm not sure how that would work out in terms of toe-stepping.

Blue N Bama

December 20th, 2014 at 10:16 AM ^

I think Nuss gets a bit of a bad rap. In my opinion 1 year doesn't necessarily indicate he is bad at what he does, although this past year does hurt. He certainly has a decent track record previously and honestly I think the guy would do much better under Harbaugh's personality, which is very similar to Saban's personality. I would be ok if Harbaugh kept him, but would also be fine if he was not retained.

nappa18

December 20th, 2014 at 10:30 AM ^

Doubtful he stays. If JH comes (IMO also doubtful even with all the chatter), he will want his own assistants. Other candidates as well. And if Harbaugh is like Saban, as you say, evidently Nuss had some problems with St. Nick since he let him go without a fight and quickly brought in Kiffin. Don t feel bad for Nuss, he s got 2 years left on his contract for about 1. 7 million. He will eat.

Argyle

December 20th, 2014 at 11:27 AM ^

I get this and appreciate he's probably a much better coach than what we saw on the field this year. But you can't argue with the results. Perhaps it was Hoke setting the parameters that prevented Nuss' offense from developing or re-tuning during the season, but I'm not sure that's a gamble JH would want to take. Further, Nuss was seemingly pushed out of Alabama after a pretty successful stint there. Clearly Saban thought his offense could due better with someone else at the helm. Unless it was just a personality clash, I suspect that Saban saw issues with the offense under Nuss and thought he could find someone to do it better.

The argument for continuity is solid though. Either way, I'd hope we have a far more dynamic, adaptive offense next year. Our team had nothing on that side of the ball and it can't all be attributed to Gardner.

bluecrush

December 20th, 2014 at 9:55 AM ^

The conversation would go somthing like this.

JH: Nuss you want to stay on as OC under one of the best football coaches in the country? 

Nuss: Yup!

JH: Win a National Championship?

Nuss: YUp!!

JH: Make a name for yourself and be launched into your own head coach gig?

Nuss: YUP!!!

JH: Ok then.  One other thing I will coach the QB's!

Nuss: OUCH! (jumping up and down holding the toes on his right foot)  What ever you say BOSS!

JH: Watch and learn son. Watch and learn.

Mr Miggle

December 20th, 2014 at 12:11 PM ^

If we were to try to push him onto a new coach because he's under contract, I wouldn't be happy about that. I understand that Brandon paid him like we were stealing him from Alabama, but I am curious to know who we were really bidding against.

I think he did okay as our OC, but was a disaster as the QB coach. I know it's only one season and he must be better than the results here indicate, but I'm far from sold on him.

CLord

December 20th, 2014 at 12:43 PM ^

Did you see the product Nuss put on the field this year?  If you mean by easier transition that we still want our offense to smell of fecal matter then sure, keep him.  He needs to go.  The offense was schematically HORRIBLE.  Worst just about ever.  Fresh start, and we need some spread in here.

Reader71

December 20th, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^

If spread is what you want, Harbaugh shouldn't be your top option. He might incorporate a few spread principles, but he loves TEs and he has always called a pro-style passing game, having been a pro passer.

That aside, I dont feel strongly either way with respect to Nuss. I'm sure he's better than this year's offense showed. I was actually pretty happy with the run game and the zone scheme. But the passing game was a shambles, and I don't know whether to blame that on Nuss, Gardner, the receivers, or what.

If Harbaugh (or whoever) wants to keep him, I would be fine with it. If the coach wants to cut him loose, I would be fine with it. I dont think any M fan should be too strongly pro or against Nuss based on one year, with one viable (?) QB.

UMfan21

December 20th, 2014 at 9:09 AM ^

I'm fine with whatever the new HC decides. I don't think Nuss is really that tied to the old regime after only one season. Keeping him is not going to create the same dissent/factions that someone like GMatt could create.

rob f

December 20th, 2014 at 10:17 AM ^

Mattison. Knowing that he worked for John Harbaugh with the Ravens, I doubt there's any chance of GMatt being a problem causer.

Having said that, I'm of the opinion that JH (or plan B) deserve to choose his own staff. And GMatt is most likely not going to be coaching next fall at Michigan, if at all. I'd guess retirement is most likely. Nuss, OTOH, is going to be coaching somewhere in the fall. His resume is plenty good until this past season and will lead him to great job opportunities; while I was totally unimpressed this fall, the decision to retain him or not is in better hands than mine.

robbyt003

December 20th, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^

You or I could have coached those Alabama teams and they would have been successful.  Nuss finally opened up the playbook vs Ohio, per usual, and the offense looked good.  I suppose it will come down to how he meshs with the new coach and if the new coach has someone better already in mind.  

FA_Wolverine

December 20th, 2014 at 9:17 AM ^

Gardner was already done for at QB. Nobody could have fixed him. We can't judge something after one year. That's just stupid.

Brandon_L

December 20th, 2014 at 9:18 AM ^

I'm still wondering why we are backing away from the marcellous Wiley report from yesterday. I watched the replay of that show from last night and dude was really adamant about who he talked to. I'm not saying it's full proof, but he really doesn't have any stock in Michigan, or an agenda. Mu think he is trolling Schefter with his sources.

MAccLA

December 20th, 2014 at 10:20 AM ^

I was wrote something similar last night. Marcellus has more credibility than most national commentators, IMO. I get that he is not directly connected to the program, but that could be a good thing and he's a very likeable person with extensive contacts. My point is there have been several less credible stories that have been thrown out there and gotten more attention than Wiley's story. I put more stock in his comments than other beat writers covering this story, in part because he doesn't have a vested interest.

I frequently listen to Max & Marcellus on ESPN LA radio and just the day before last, when he and Max talked of the Harbaugh offer, Marcellus was initially skeptical that Harbaugh would leave. Why would he switch his tune so quickly and come out with this information if it wasn't true?