Who would you target for our remaining football staff?
With Clink now gone, and I don't begrudge him, our defensive staff cupboard is pretty bare.
If you were Sherrone Moore, who would you be targeting? College guys, NFL guys, former UM staffers/players?
My knowledge of random position coaches outside of Michigan is limited to say the least, so I've got no specific names I'd want. However, I think at a bare minimum I'd want guys who have coached in college (now or previously) and shown themselves to be at least plus recruiters.
February 11th, 2024 at 9:47 AM ^
We lost Elston, Partridge, Clink, and Jay from the defensive staff this year. They were arguably our four best recruiters. Moore needs to make hires that have some recruiting chops. Development and evaluation go without saying but we have to be able to also land these guys. Hopefully Wink understands this too and gets on board with this being a priority as well.
February 11th, 2024 at 9:55 AM ^
My only real concern is that we're the only team in the country that runs this defense. We're now in a position where the coaches we bring in are either going to be, A) Established recruiters with little to no familiarity with the system. Or, B) Ravens D guys that have little to no recruiting chops. IMHO, the best path forward is to promote young coaches familiar with the system to on field positions. They're more likely to be eager to recruit than guys that have been in the NFL for 20 years. If we go with proven recruiters, we run the risk of having the players teaching the system to the coaches.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:01 AM ^
That's a good point, but I think it's mitigated a bit by Wink's knowledge and the players' experience in the system. Not ideal for sure but feels like a better situation than bringing in a whole new system and having to teach all the players.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:56 AM ^
I think a combination would work well for these reasons. Maybe let Wink bring in his LB guy who's rumored to follow him. You can then hire a DL guy with recruiting chops that Wink can work closely with to fast track teaching him the system. On the back end maybe stick with 2 coaches for corners and safeties so they can focus on learning those positions before eventually cross training for each other's position. These two can also be top notch recruiters. Wink's LB guy could help with all of this along with analysts who have been in the system. Keep in mind that just because Elston and Clink are gone does not mean they wouldn't come back in a couple of years as the DC. They are still in the system under Minter, and both could be thinking this is a likely career progression. That would be an option for the future since it is unlikely any of the newer guys in the system would be ready by then. The new guys would be experienced at their positions by then which would ease the pressure a first time DC would feel if he had to train new position coaches on top of his normal duties.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:59 AM ^
Is Ryan Osborn that guy ?
February 11th, 2024 at 11:12 AM ^
He would be a great option for a DL coach. He could also help with special teams if that was needed. I would definitely be excited to see a post about us hiring Ryan Osborn.
February 11th, 2024 at 11:14 AM ^
We already have 5 coaches on offense and one on special teams. That only leaves room for 4 on defense, including Wink.
It seems we will need to add 1 coach each for DL, LBs, and DBs. Maybe Brown will be asked to help with the secondary.. Wink can help with the DL.
February 11th, 2024 at 1:09 PM ^
Do we have 5 on offense? Putting out an APB for Mike Hart…
February 11th, 2024 at 11:51 AM ^
That was true when we brought the system in with MacDonald to begin with though. None of our other position coaches had been part of the system, but it doesn’t really matter because the base concepts don’t change within a position group. The DC’s job is to mesh all of those concepts into a cohesive scheme.
But the duties of a DL coach for example really don’t change. Here are the base concepts and skill sets we need to develop. They’re still learning pass rush moves, they’re still learning twists and stunts, they’re still learning to set an edge. For the secondary you’re still teaching guys proper technique in man coverage and the proper zone coverages. After that it’s just making sure everyone grasps the playbook.
So anyone who can coach the position can be part of any defensive scheme. It’s the DC’s job to make it all mesh together.
February 11th, 2024 at 12:07 PM ^
Sainristil, Barrett and Jenkins.
February 11th, 2024 at 1:38 PM ^
Barrett might be too busy as President of the United States of America. But I like where your head's at!
February 11th, 2024 at 3:30 PM ^
In year one of Mike Mac none of the position coaches knew the ravens system and yet the did pretty damn well. So, don't think that should be a significant issue as long as Wink is a good communicator and teacher.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:04 AM ^
A main challenge for circumstances of our new hires is that we have to know who is leaving before we can begin the process of hiring their replacements. This takes time. For example, I don't expect that we have a replacement for "Clink" days after his departure.
We have several coaching positions on offense solidified, which us positive in that we have to install may new players in starting positions. Although our existing scheme could be modified for talent, we are likely not installing an entire new offensive scheme. Also positive.
Defensively, we have a DC that not only knows the current scheme, he helped design it. This continuity is extremely beneficial. Many returning defensive players will hopefully plug right in. The new DC will find his new staff, knowing that recruiting is important, too. The existing defensive scheme continues.
Coach Moore will be the main coordinator for recruiting, coaching, and player retention, and he needs time to find the balance. I am willing to be patient, and am very happy with our continuity so far. We are not challenged with finding new coaching staff for every position like so many colleges now.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:33 AM ^
You are very happy with the continuity so far? Can you please explain why you feel that way? We lost literally the entire defensive coaching staff. We couldn't have less continuity on D, literally.
We are very challenged in finding a new coaching staff, not sure what you mean by that. Ok, we brought in NFL DC that runs an older version without all the disguising and sims.
February 11th, 2024 at 11:23 AM ^
And we lost Herbert.
So all of the key coaches for any defensive player are gone.
I hope that doesn't lead to transfers out.
February 11th, 2024 at 12:33 PM ^
Did we lose Herbert? Are people worried that we will lose players? Man, this seems like some new news we should all get the word out on every day.
February 11th, 2024 at 11:09 AM ^
You’re right. Yet 20 people here will blame Warde.
February 11th, 2024 at 12:45 PM ^
Partridge and Jay were excellent recruiters in getting 4 and 5 star talent, but Elston and Clinksdale were not because they were not good closers on top recruits. What they could do is find players that can be developed into very good to All-American caliber college football players. Losing Elston and Clinksdale should not hurt recruiting, and it may help if Moore finds better recruiters and Michigan can get out of it's NIL difficulties, but Michigan lost two very good coaches in development.
February 11th, 2024 at 5:08 PM ^
I feel like I've said this enough times in enough threads, but clearly many are still worried about crootin & any new coaches' enthusiasm for it. So - perhaps - for the last time:
In our new era, crootin has moved behind retaining in importance.
Top ~150 players are going where a) the offer sheet is top of market & b) depth chart allows for moving the 3 year program along stat. As of now (and I don't honestly see it changing) Michigan will not be a factor for 99% of these players.
Players ranked ~150-300 will factor those same things in, but relationships will play a somewhat larger role. Coaches are going to be jumping from job-to-job faster than ever before, so getting a GM/Crootin coordinator who sticks around to become a face of the program + a Herbert type Strength coach will be more important than ever. Why I'm so pissed they didn't crush any other offer Herbert got! Then, you gotta pay them to stay when they bust out! Far better allocation of resources than paying HS kids to sign!
The really really important thing will be scouting for underrated players who have no huge $ demands nor are candidates to portal out for something shinier at the drop of a hat. These will be the last ones left who actually value the college experience & appreciate the opportunities it offers (think Sainristil & Barrett as the ideal examples). Michigan will have a huge advantage over most other schools with these kids. So scouting out potential difference makers is the key!
I'm just not sweating coaches who won't be around more than a couple years spending every waking moment on crootin. Let's build a talent acquisition staff that stays around (which means beating offers to them like ND did for theirs). That's how I see the next 5-10 years playing out 🤷♂️
February 11th, 2024 at 9:50 AM ^
Current staff :
HC: Moore
OC/QB: Campbell
OL: Newsome
RB: Hart
WR: Bellamy
TE: Casula
DC/LB: Wink
Special Teams: Brown
That leaves DL and Secondary. Sterling Lucas was a name dropped if Cullen was going to be DC. Lucas and Wink had some overlap in their careers. I would love if they would bring him in. He’d be at least an A hire. Wink can coach DL or LB but most likely he’ll coach LB and get a dedicated line coach. That’s where Michigans strength is next season.
I would also reach out to Osborn. Try to bring on Osborn and Lucas and then look for a solid secondary coach with recruiting chops.
February 11th, 2024 at 9:56 AM ^
We have three openings, likely for DL, LB and DBs. I don’t think Wink is going to coach a position. If they do have Wink coach linebackers they’d split corners and safeties.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:06 AM ^
I'm thinking Wink will want to bring on Drew Wilkins to coach linebackers. Hopefully they can land college guys who are energetic recruiters for the other two spots. Kevin Wilkins is out there, but he's another pro guy who's never done the recruiting thing.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:13 AM ^
Wilkins to stay in the NFL.
February 11th, 2024 at 11:02 AM ^
Look at you, Mr Ripped-Off-The-Pages-of-Today's-Headlines! Good find--the Patriots hired Drew two hours ago to coach LBs. Kevin is still out there, jobless, though.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:20 AM ^
Ryan Osborn as the DL coach is a good call.
Hutch and Ojabo both praised him in terms of development.
He is currently an assistant DL / OLB coach for the Ravens so a DL coach position at Michigan would be a next step for him.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:30 AM ^
Lol. Again, Osborn is not employed by the Ravens. He works for Biff Poggi at Charlotte.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:33 AM ^
Ok thanks - he still shows up on the Ravens website which is why it is confusing.
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/team/coaches-roster/ryan-osborn
Anyway, point stands that Michigan would be a next step for him.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:41 AM ^
Regardless of whether he's at Charlotte or Baltimore; he's young, familiar with the scheme, and familiar with recruiting. I'd be elated if the brought him back
February 11th, 2024 at 11:01 AM ^
Osborn I think is the DC at Charlotte. only way he takes a demotion is if he thinks being the DC here after wink heads back to NFL
February 11th, 2024 at 11:25 AM ^
Is this being reported somewhere, or is this just an educated guess? Casula left behind the OC postion at UMass to coach TE here. Seems like Osborn's move would be analogous.
February 11th, 2024 at 11:33 AM ^
Being a DC at Charlotte and going to Michigan as a position coach is actually a step up, not a demotion. It comes with a significant pay bump (he makes $260k at Charlotte) and you’re more likely to move into a P5 DC role or get a job in the NFL if you’re at Michigan. Nobody is looking to hire the DC at Charlotte for a high level DC job and the NFL isn’t looking at you for a position either.
February 11th, 2024 at 1:43 PM ^
If so then I'd say this is the betting favorite to be DL. Unless wink wants his own guy.
February 11th, 2024 at 3:25 PM ^
My guess is they’ve wanted to wait for the external position coaching hires until they filled the DC role. Wink is probably going to have some say in who he works alongside since we’re looking at candidates outside the program now. Hiring position coaches first and then a DC puts you in a situation where they may not gel. Wink can now sit in on the interview process and give his input.
Maybe Osborn isn’t interested, maybe Wink has his own ideas, maybe Michigan isn’t interested in Osborn, but if he doesn’t come I don’t think being the DC at Charlotte is what will hold him back. Michigan would, at minimum, double his pay and lead him to more job opportunities in the future.
February 11th, 2024 at 11:47 AM ^
Most would say DL Coach at UofM with more pay is bigger than DC at Charlotte with less pay.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:28 AM ^
Hart isn't under contract. I could be wrong, but as I see it, his contract ran through 2023 and hasn't been renewed.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:51 AM ^
Osborn apparently is a no go because he was caught up in the recruiting violations.
February 11th, 2024 at 11:01 AM ^
Which? The cheeseburgers? Who cares.
February 11th, 2024 at 12:43 PM ^
The “cheeseburgers” violations also include allegations of players practicing with a coach they weren’t supposed to—Osborn was accused of doing on field coaching when an analyst here, if I recall correctly.
Although the violations alleged are much , much less egregious and much fewer than OSU’s “tattoo gate,” the complete derisive deflection of “cheeseburgers” as “nothing that matters” is just harming progress. Osborn, if he is the coach involved in the current violations alleged, and Partridge are not likely to ever work for M again, no matter how much we dismiss their actions as fans.
Im not saying it is right, but it is another one of those things where most universities are not going to hire the skeletons that got out of the closet and scared the public.
February 11th, 2024 at 12:49 PM ^
We just re-hired the guy that hired Conner Stalions...
February 11th, 2024 at 9:01 PM ^
Is their confirmation of Sean Magee hiring Connor Stallions? Or are people just saying that because they are both Navy guys?
February 11th, 2024 at 11:34 AM ^
So was Sherrone Moore and we made him the head coach… so I don’t see how Osborn would be relevant.
February 11th, 2024 at 1:41 PM ^
Says who??
February 11th, 2024 at 11:56 AM ^
DC: Wink Martindale
DL: Sterling Lucas or Ryan Osborn
LB: John Egorugwu
DB: Torrian Gray or TJ Rushing
analyst: one or both of the Wilkins brothers
Make Lucas or Egorugwu "co-DC" like Clink was if that is what it takes to get them to Ann Arbor. Use that that title to toss someone a little more money than a traditional position coach (which is what Clink was...justification to pay him more than you pay DB coaches).
February 11th, 2024 at 2:09 PM ^
I think they should at minimum reach out to Daniel Stern of the Ravens. he is the swiss army knife on the staff as a Quality Control guy. I dont know how affordable he is, but he knows the system inside and out and is an incredible scout/analyst.
February 11th, 2024 at 12:23 PM ^
I would move Bellamy to Safety. He is not a good WR coach and could connect with our DBs.
February 11th, 2024 at 1:45 PM ^
I thought the wr core did quite well this year, so I'd tend to think Bellamy did well.
February 11th, 2024 at 4:56 PM ^
Most don't agree with you. Hard to tell in Harbaughs offense this year
February 11th, 2024 at 4:09 PM ^
Seeing Dhani Jones a lot lately. Could he be considered
February 11th, 2024 at 10:01 AM ^
For LB coach, you have James Ross IiI at Cincinnati and Mike McCray at UMASS. I would check to see if they would be interested especially James Ross III.
February 11th, 2024 at 10:36 AM ^
Possibly not going to be popular, but he can recruit. How’s about Mel Tucker. Big House could become biggest woodshed in the country.