I like the Elston idea but still would make a run at Todd Bates. Probably a non-starter but at 35, a Bama grad and current co-DL coach at Clemson he'd be a big splash.
Throw lots of money and an associate coach position at Todd Bates. High upside recruiter. Co-DL coach at Clemson. Alabama grad. Good connections in the south.
One thing we are all forgetting is that like a current player, a coach can be replaced just as easily. If had a better option come up than Washington or Mattison does anyone think that we wouldn't have let him go to get that new coveted coach? All in all losing Washington hurts because of his recruiting chops but it doesn't speak to the state of the program. Losing him to OSU hurts a bit more, but this is a promotion for him that takes him back home. Can't fault him there. Optimistically thinking that Brown and Harbaugh can replace them with even better coaches.
I'm less concerned about this from a coaching perspective than I am recruiting. He had a great reputation with recruits and their families. Maybe there is something wrong in house, but he was the DC and was replaced by Don Brown. I thought it was because he wanted less responsibility. Maybe there was more to it. If he wanted to be the DC and wasn't going to have that opportunity at Michigan than good luck. Wish it hadn't been to OSU though...
I still think you have to go two places - offensive line and consistent scheme. The backs we have had in recent years have been predominately inside runners that don't need a huge hole, but also don't break off huge gains regularly. Someone is sure to counter with Higdon had some good long runs this year which he did, but only when we were playing against a d-line our o-line outmatched severely. Against ND, OSU and FL we were even or worse and didn't create any holes to run through. Evans needs a hole and needs to hit it hard and fast. Tru will still get carries next year as well because he's a pretty good pass blocker. Our O-line needs to improve especially against run slants that teams have used against us for years. They are much improved for sure, but have a ways to go. The other concern I have is scheme. We go a series of Bo ball. Then a little spread. Then some west coast. Have to be able to get into a rhythm ala Wisc this year. Pick something and excel at it in my opinion
O line issues were huge this year. Hard to see guys get open when you are running for your life at QB. A quality QB can also throw guys open. When you've got DPJ, Collins and Black with size advantages over the corners you can throw those guys open and let them make plays. It's easier to play zone against the Michigan offensive look as well and that takes chemistry and experience to learn to not only slide into the zone but also from the QB to make the anticipate the zone openings. I think it will come with some time.
The answer - if you are a true Wolverine fan is for as long as it takes. All the bellyaching makes me a bit sick. Who is better that we are going to get? There are maybe 3 or 4 coaches that I would put above Harbaugh in pure skill - Saban, Meyer, Swinney??? How many of them are coming to Michigan with the fire and passion he has for his alma mater? I think you have underestimated the effects of the Hoke/Rich Rod years and what needs to be changed. I was never against Rich Rod, but he made changes to the culture. Hoke tried unsuccessfully to bring it back to the Bo style. Harbaugh will figure it out. As a true Wolverine fan from just outside of Columbus Ohio I have faith in him and will support him or whomever is the coach. I have faith in Harbaugh the same why I did as a kid in Ohio that he would beat OSU with clutch passes to Kolesar.
The answer - if you are a true Wolverine fan is for as long as it takes. All the bellyaching makes me a bit sick. Who is better that we are going to get? There are maybe 3 or 4 coaches that I would put above Harbaugh in pure skill - Saban, Meyer, Swinney??? How many of them are coming to Michigan with the fire and passion he has for his alma mater? I think you have underestimated the effects of the Hoke/Rich Rod years and what needs to be changed. I was never against Rich Rod, but he made changes to the culture. Hoke tried unsuccessfully to bring it back to the Bo style. Harbaugh will figure it out. As a true Wolverine fan from just outside of Columbus Ohio I have faith in him and will support him or whomever is the coach. I have faith in Harbaugh the same why I did as a kid in Ohio that he would beat OSU with clutch passes to Kolesar.
Recent Comments
LaFleur is apparently retaining Pettine as the DC which means he'll probably retain the defensive staff
I like the Elston idea but still would make a run at Todd Bates. Probably a non-starter but at 35, a Bama grad and current co-DL coach at Clemson he'd be a big splash.
Throw lots of money and an associate coach position at Todd Bates. High upside recruiter. Co-DL coach at Clemson. Alabama grad. Good connections in the south.
One thing we are all forgetting is that like a current player, a coach can be replaced just as easily. If had a better option come up than Washington or Mattison does anyone think that we wouldn't have let him go to get that new coveted coach? All in all losing Washington hurts because of his recruiting chops but it doesn't speak to the state of the program. Losing him to OSU hurts a bit more, but this is a promotion for him that takes him back home. Can't fault him there. Optimistically thinking that Brown and Harbaugh can replace them with even better coaches.
I'm less concerned about this from a coaching perspective than I am recruiting. He had a great reputation with recruits and their families. Maybe there is something wrong in house, but he was the DC and was replaced by Don Brown. I thought it was because he wanted less responsibility. Maybe there was more to it. If he wanted to be the DC and wasn't going to have that opportunity at Michigan than good luck. Wish it hadn't been to OSU though...
I still think you have to go two places - offensive line and consistent scheme. The backs we have had in recent years have been predominately inside runners that don't need a huge hole, but also don't break off huge gains regularly. Someone is sure to counter with Higdon had some good long runs this year which he did, but only when we were playing against a d-line our o-line outmatched severely. Against ND, OSU and FL we were even or worse and didn't create any holes to run through. Evans needs a hole and needs to hit it hard and fast. Tru will still get carries next year as well because he's a pretty good pass blocker. Our O-line needs to improve especially against run slants that teams have used against us for years. They are much improved for sure, but have a ways to go. The other concern I have is scheme. We go a series of Bo ball. Then a little spread. Then some west coast. Have to be able to get into a rhythm ala Wisc this year. Pick something and excel at it in my opinion
O line issues were huge this year. Hard to see guys get open when you are running for your life at QB. A quality QB can also throw guys open. When you've got DPJ, Collins and Black with size advantages over the corners you can throw those guys open and let them make plays. It's easier to play zone against the Michigan offensive look as well and that takes chemistry and experience to learn to not only slide into the zone but also from the QB to make the anticipate the zone openings. I think it will come with some time.
The answer - if you are a true Wolverine fan is for as long as it takes. All the bellyaching makes me a bit sick. Who is better that we are going to get? There are maybe 3 or 4 coaches that I would put above Harbaugh in pure skill - Saban, Meyer, Swinney??? How many of them are coming to Michigan with the fire and passion he has for his alma mater? I think you have underestimated the effects of the Hoke/Rich Rod years and what needs to be changed. I was never against Rich Rod, but he made changes to the culture. Hoke tried unsuccessfully to bring it back to the Bo style. Harbaugh will figure it out. As a true Wolverine fan from just outside of Columbus Ohio I have faith in him and will support him or whomever is the coach. I have faith in Harbaugh the same why I did as a kid in Ohio that he would beat OSU with clutch passes to Kolesar.
The answer - if you are a true Wolverine fan is for as long as it takes. All the bellyaching makes me a bit sick. Who is better that we are going to get? There are maybe 3 or 4 coaches that I would put above Harbaugh in pure skill - Saban, Meyer, Swinney??? How many of them are coming to Michigan with the fire and passion he has for his alma mater? I think you have underestimated the effects of the Hoke/Rich Rod years and what needs to be changed. I was never against Rich Rod, but he made changes to the culture. Hoke tried unsuccessfully to bring it back to the Bo style. Harbaugh will figure it out. As a true Wolverine fan from just outside of Columbus Ohio I have faith in him and will support him or whomever is the coach. I have faith in Harbaugh the same why I did as a kid in Ohio that he would beat OSU with clutch passes to Kolesar.