Coaching updates from Isaiah Hole
Looks like Al Washington to OSU is just a rumor, Don Bown is 50-50 to leave, Mattison is weighing retiring, and no information on whether Pep will be Drevno'd.
https://wolverineswire.com/2019/01/05/saturday-thoughts-catching-up-on-…
January 7th, 2019 at 7:23 AM ^
Losing Brown and Mattison in short order would suck, particularly in the short-term. I don't know who you would bring in to fill those positions without losing a step.
January 7th, 2019 at 7:26 AM ^
Two years ago I didn't know a lot about Pep Hamilton, just what I had read in some articles. I read he was the man that built Andrew Luck at Stanford, and he followed Luck to Indianapolis because he and Luck were joined, coach to player. But, when I read that Pep Hamilton compared Joe Milton to Steve McNair it made me think. Steve McNair was drafted out of high school to play baseball by the Seattle Mariners. He was a superstar on both offense and defense in football in high school, yes, he played both ways. He has 15 interceptions one year playing at safety. He ended up with 30 total interceptions, which tied his high school record for interceptions, with Terrell Buckley. He was All-State and All-American. So then, I looked up Joe Milton. I was expecting some awesome things, as he had been compared to Steve McNair. But, I didn't find it. He looked good, yes, but not the beast of beasts that Steve McNair was. And, after Joe Milton's senior season, scouts continued to have questions about his game.
So it made me think. Maybe I would look up who Pep Hamilton was. Was he really the coach that built Andrew Luck? I found he wasn't. The years he was at Stanford didn't align with the years Andrew Luck was rising at Stanford. He became a coach of Andrew Luck at the end of his career at Stanford. Andrew Luck had already become the beast we knew at Stanford. Then, seeing Pep Hamilton was fired at Indianapolis, it made me wonder if he was the reason Andrew Luck had a great year when he was coaching him, or if there were other coaches working with Andrew Luck, and if he was the reason Andrew Luck's career descended for a few years. Seeing he was fired I wondered if there was something going on in the coaching staff that the public had never become aware of. So I looked further. I didn't see a change for the better in Stanford numbers. He was fired at Indianapolis. And offensive numbers dropped the one year he was at Cleveland. And as we know, offensive number have dropped the last 2 years at Michigan, drastically in the passing game, compared to where it was at in 2016. Numbers went up in 2018 compared to 2017. But I have to ask, seriously, did Ed Warinner have something to do with that? Or, was it all Pep Hamilton?
Jim Harbaugh (apparently) is stubborn to make a change in Pep Hamilton's position. So maybe there is something about Pep Hamilton's coaching that is worth being stubborn over to hang on to.
But Pep Hamilton comparing Joe Milton to Steve McNair makes me have pause about him.
January 7th, 2019 at 8:57 AM ^
Wow, this reads like a paper for an English class.
For future reference, basic rules are that after the first time, a person can be referred to by last name only. No need for "Pep Hamilton" and "Andrew Luck" 8 times each.
January 7th, 2019 at 7:45 AM ^
Washington and Warinner are getting a pay raise. Washington to OSU was more than a rumor. Don Brown is very high on Temple’s list and he is getting attention from others. Should expect closure soon.
January 7th, 2019 at 7:57 AM ^
Most of that is good. I assume your silence on Pep is a sign that no one knows what will happen with him, if anything. Any news on Pep status at all that you can share?
January 7th, 2019 at 8:03 AM ^
I have nothing new on Pep, and Matty would retire before he ever went to OSU.
January 7th, 2019 at 8:25 AM ^
Do you get the sense that Harbaugh’s silence on Pep is very much on purpose? And if so, what would that potentially imply? Is there really nothing to be gleaned?
I just have a hard time believing that there is no smoke there at all. It makes a lot of us rather nervous insofar as it could mean he’s digging in his heels to keep him. If that were the case, I would think there would be indications of this.
January 7th, 2019 at 8:30 AM ^
Lots of NFL possibilities. Lions were interested. Ever since then....nothing.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:28 AM ^
Everyone needs to accept that we are stuck with Pep till the end.
Maybe the guy just needs a hug and the light will flip on for him?
January 7th, 2019 at 9:39 AM ^
I will probably get destroyed for this. I am NOT a Pep supporter. To my eye, not much he has done to warrant his salary. Now that I got that out of the way. This offense is Jim Harbaugh's. PERIOD. It is not Pep's, it is not anyone's offense but Jim Harbaugh's. Every play call, every designed play, every piece of the offensive scheme is signed off by Harbaugh. People who have such vitriol for Pep have their anger misplaced. Conversely, if you have any issues with the defense that is on the shoulders of Don Brown. Every attribute of the Michigan defense, good and bad, is Don Brown.
On both offense and defense, it is not to say other's don't make suggestions, draw up plays, or have input. At the end of the day, Harbaugh is the Michigan offense and Brown is the Michigan defense. As I have stated on other threads. If there are changes next year, it will be because of Harbaugh. With or without Pep, the offense will have some nuance difference, but that will be in large part to Harbaugh wanting to do this.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:51 AM ^
Exactly. What we've seen so far is exactly what Harbaugh wants from a style perspective. Until/unless he hires somebody who's a clear departure from what Harbaugh has traditionally been (such as someone from the Air Raid coaching tree), then I don't expect anything more from Michigan's offense.
January 7th, 2019 at 10:02 AM ^
The style may not have been different 3 seasons ago. But results were.
I won't argue that Jim Harbaugh should change his style, though it could happen. I would argue that he needs a different person running it.
It was much more fun to watch Michigan's offense 3 seasons ago, in 2016, when it lead the BIG10 in scoring, than what we've seen the past 2 seasons with all the uncertainty of what's going to happen on any given drive.
January 7th, 2019 at 12:30 PM ^
Since Harbaugh's been here, we've seen two distinct "Harbaugh" offenses. The Jedd version is significantly different than the Pep version. So, even though you're probably technically correct, Harbaugh can be, and has been, different. Thus, the Pep complaints are valid, because the passing game is clearly mismanaged right now.
January 7th, 2019 at 1:15 PM ^
So much for that...
January 7th, 2019 at 8:03 AM ^
I have nothing new on Pep, and Matty would retire before he ever went to OSU.
January 8th, 2019 at 11:53 AM ^
umbig11 what is going on and where is harbaugh??
January 7th, 2019 at 1:17 PM ^
Well, THAT was a surprise!
love your insider info though!
January 7th, 2019 at 7:58 AM ^
Do you think Harbaugh will actually go after a real OC or are we gonna be stuck with Pep?
January 7th, 2019 at 8:41 AM ^
I'm no fan of Pep, but it's been harped on a million times - this is JIM HARBAUGH's offense, no one else's. Harbs gets input, like all programs do, then Harbaugh calls the plays and it is his scheme.. Pep, while not a great recruiter and that bugs me, gets far too much of the blame for the shortcomings of the offense. Honestly, the bigger problem with this offense (IMO) is not that we don't have a mauling OL full of future NFL linemen. Harbaugh's offense is heavily predicated on a great OL to work at full capacity, we haven't had that here yet. That said, I see nothing wrong with adding in more of the RPO wrinkles or 4/5 WR sets but if your OL cannot block and block for long enough then a lot of what could be done, can't.
I think we're more likely to see Harbaugh open up the playbook a little more than we are to see him hand off the reins to any OC.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:31 AM ^
Well, the problem is that this is all problematic. Being the HC of a high profile D1 football team is enough work in and of itself. The most important task for the HC is to provide a solid overall perspective and direction for the team. Getting mired in the details and nuances of an offense is not a good thing in the larger picture. The best HCs, and administrators in general, are excellent delegators. Here, the pro game is very different from the college game in many ways...and I think Jim is struggling a bit with this transition. From out here in the middle of the godforsaken state of Kansas it appears as though Jim Harbaugh has too much on his plate...sometimes less is, indeed, more.
January 7th, 2019 at 10:05 AM ^
It looks like when he hired Don Brown he was hands off with the defense. I've heard him say that he tells defensive players to "listen to Don Brown". Now, I wish he'd hire an offensive coordinator he could do the same with.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:32 AM ^
Agree...
Although, if we're stuck with an OC that's just a figurehead/puppet, can we at least get one that can recruit worth a damn? The OC should be good for something.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:37 AM ^
"this is JIM HARBAUGH's offense, no one else's."
I see this a lot. If it is true, then why is there such a drastic difference between the offense 2 years ago, when Michigan lead the BIG 10 in scoring, and what we see now? Wouldn't the difference between then and now be the difference between Jedd Fisch and Pep Hamilton?
And, if that's the case, is it really Jim Harbaugh's offense? sure he has input. But does he have that much control?
January 7th, 2019 at 8:03 AM ^
Good info. Really need Pep to go to the league. Need a more explosive offensive mind that is above average on the recruiting trail.
January 7th, 2019 at 8:14 AM ^
One positive regarding Don Brown and Temple. The Owls reached out to Northern Ill HC Rod Carey yesterday.
January 7th, 2019 at 8:24 AM ^
Brown deserves a pay raise. Good DC's are getting paid around the 2mil range now Brown at least deserves to be in the 1.8 range. He also deserves the chance fix what happened with OSU and Florida.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:36 AM ^
Right after your defense gets pantsed in the last 2 games is not the best time to ask for a raise.
January 7th, 2019 at 10:10 AM ^
The defense could do nothing to stop Penn St last season. Don Brown said he thought about that every morning. Then this season, after thinking about it all year, look at what Michigan's defense did to Penn St. I want to see Don Brown do the same next season to Ohio St, at least a semblance of that kind of domination, after thinking all year what happened last time.
January 7th, 2019 at 12:31 PM ^
Brown definitely made a difference vs Penn State, but Penn State not having maybe the most dynamic football player on the planet in Saquan Barkley was a big reason we contained them well this season. Barkley was a freak for Penn State, and now he's a freak in the NFL.
January 7th, 2019 at 11:57 AM ^
Not sure how big of a step up it is going from the MAC to the AAC. Certainly harder to get to the NYE games in the same conference and division as Central Florida
January 7th, 2019 at 9:21 AM ^
Very good to know Ed Warinner is staying. He has a great group of young players to develop. I'm wondering how long it will be until Nolan Rumler and Trevor Keegan start.
Also, seeing what Al Washington did with DE Harold Landry, RB Andre Williams, and RB Jon Hilliman, I'm glad to see he's staying. His coaching history is very good.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:40 AM ^
Well, if Rumler and/or Keegan start next year Michigan is in trouble. The hope is for this outstanding incoming group to redshirt together. Mayfield, Filiaga, Hayes, Steuber and the gang had all better be well ahead of the 2019 class.
January 7th, 2019 at 10:13 AM ^
Cesar Ruiz ended up starting by the end of his freshman season. It is possible for those 2 freshmen to end up starting, in particular, Nolan Rumler.
January 7th, 2019 at 8:36 AM ^
Well, you knew the Washington rumors were just that as soon as that hack James Yoder posted to Twitter that it was going down.
January 7th, 2019 at 8:40 AM ^
Don Brown coaches a man defense. It requires extremely fast and extremely athletic back seven players in literally every position plus a four man rush that can get after the quarterback. If either of those are lacking he will get got. I put PSU and OSU on him in that he didn't have a change up or a curve ball he could throw - a quarters defense that had been practiced or a Cover 2 that can keep everything in front of him and make it hard to get down the field effectively. They play man come hell or high water and that is that pretty much. And if your guys get there then it works and passing yards are at a premium. If you don't then you get boat raced.
Don Brown is a great coach - phenomenal coach. If he isn't here I would love a coach who creates a defensive game plan different to each opponent. I don't want to go into OSU running an Air Raid with Cover 1 and Cover zero man defense and no interior pressure. Our defense is not worse than Washington's....all they did was play zone. MSU just ran quarters. You have to be multiple in your fronts and approach to be competitive consistently.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:22 AM ^
Excellent perspective...exactly how I feel.
January 7th, 2019 at 10:29 AM ^
Hear hear
January 7th, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
I don't know... how true is this really? He didn't really have dominant players at BC but he still put up incredible stats.
Something tells me that it's not that he needs incredible athletes at every position. He just needs to change scheme (as you suggest) to through some curveballs instead of being utterly predictable.
But in my mind, based on his BC experience, he doesn't need superior athletes to dominate. This is unlike the manball offense in which you absolutely do need superior athletes.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:22 AM ^
(edit)Comment in wrong spot.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:28 AM ^
I don't have much to add, but I'm pretty sure several things are true about Mattison.
- His daughter, iirc, lives in the area (with grandkids) and Mattison's wife doesn't want to move any more.
- He is already semi retired, with stepping down from DC to DL.
- He has too much energy to just stay home, and enjoys coaching.
- He is a consummate professional, and can work under or over people. Under is as important as over.
For all these reason, I just don't see him moving for the sake of a promotion. As long as he has the energy, gets along with Jim Harbaugh, and is having fun, I think Mattison will be around. At some point, he will want to retire, or to cut back. Maybe JH wants to work with him to plan that transition smoothly.
I don't have anything at all to say about Brown or Pep. Personally would love for them to stay, but I realize there is always going to be turnover and movement. However, I do think it is hugely important that Warinner got a raise and is sticking around. Having a powerful and capable and well coached OL is critical to so many things.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:35 AM ^
Did I miss something? Move on for a promotion? I just thought he was considering retiring from coaching, period. Not leaving and going elsewhere.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:46 AM ^
I'm sure he is considering retiring. It seems like when to retire and how to retire are the questions.
January 7th, 2019 at 9:33 AM ^
50-50 to leave to where?
January 7th, 2019 at 9:59 AM ^
Yapping dogs are gonna yap.
January 7th, 2019 at 10:18 AM ^
By "Drevno'd" do you mean leave on your own accord because the head coach is too stubborn to fire you?
January 7th, 2019 at 11:29 AM ^
Bingo.
Friendships over job responsibilities.
January 7th, 2019 at 10:26 AM ^
BRING BACK SCOTT SHAFER
January 7th, 2019 at 10:51 AM ^
Not much information that isn't already out there. Losing Mattison as a recruiter and position coach would really hurt the program but at his age and the fact that he has won a NC already with Urban Meyer at Florida then it not so surprising. I can imagine at his age that going through another year of Harbaugh's circus would not be fun. The ONLY significant upgrade in terms of the coaching staff would be to let go of Pep Hamilton but it will not happen because he is making over a million dollars. Why leave?
January 7th, 2019 at 10:56 AM ^
Um excuse me?
I wasn't expecting any of this. I thought Don Brown was for sure staying. Remember the whole Dax Hill thing where we all thought Bama lied to him about Brown leaving but once it was revealed Brown was staying then Dax came back? Now its 50/50?
Im disappointed in how Brown has coached against good offenses and if he doesn't change then he needs to go but this is still kind of shocking
January 7th, 2019 at 11:37 AM ^
I thought the Bama issue was about Harbaugh leaving, not Don Brown.
January 7th, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
There's a lot we can do to make the offense more potent. One thing though, I feel we have 3 possession receivers in Black, DPJ, and Collins. DPJ has more speed, but I feel he's gotten a lot bigger since he's been here and that's probably cost him some speed in his 40 time. Those teams that are running 4 and 5 wide generally have 1 big guy maybe and then 3-4 guys who are all small twitchy guys who can get open in small spaces. If we go to more 4 wide sets, I'd think maybe some of the smaller guys get more reps.