MGoFish: Next DC Expected to be a "3-4 Guru" and a Slamdunk Hire

Submitted by EastCoast Esq. on

Team Harbaugh is apparently giving some recruits information on who the next DC will be, and I suspect we will be very happy with the decision based on these rumblings:

 

#Michigan expected to hire a "3-4 guru" as their next defensive coordinator https://t.co/7dN9QAtBZW

— Garrett Fishaw (@MGoFish) December 15, 2015

 

Also, MGoFish is hearing positive things about Bush and Walker. While the dude can be over optimistic at times, his sources seem to be fairly solid.

Late Night Update: https://t.co/zzo81mPY4d

— Garrett Fishaw (@MGoFish) December 15, 2015
MGoBoard

APBlue

December 15th, 2015 at 12:20 PM ^

I heard a story once that while he was in Michigan to interview for the Michigan State job.  Marvin Lewis called the Lions to see if he could interview for their HC position since he was in town anyway.  They declined.  I get it. Marriucci's failure there was really a surprise to everyone but the most cynical Lions fan.  

So, back in 2003, MSU hired John L. Smith and the Lions hired Steve Marriucci instead of Marvin Lewis.  

Now, I know Marvin Lewis hasn't won a Super Bowl yet, but someone please tell me why Ron Mason and Matt Millen are no longer in their respective positions.  

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 22020

BuckNekked

December 15th, 2015 at 1:25 PM ^

Yes the Lions have been a coaching graveyard. But John already has a Super Bowl and turning the Lions around would be one of the all time coaching achievements in any sport. He would be a God in Detroit in a similar fashion as his brother in Ann Arbor. Also his brother and parents are close by. I really cant see a reason he wouldnt want this challenge.

Joined: 12/06/2013

MGoPoints: -1793

superstringer

December 15th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^

I think the HC John Fox, a defensive guy, might have had something to do with that, too.

That, and the Bears aren't exactly playing against the top 10 of the NFL this year.  They don't play Carolina, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, or Tom Terrific.  They got Denver in their first post-Peyton game.  They did play Arizona and gave up 48; played Seattle and gave up 26 earlier in the season.  Otherwise it's been Lions, Redskins, Rams, etc.etc. 

So I don't think Fangio's performance this year entitles him to HC material.  Maybe his past work does.

Joined: 02/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18175

APBlue

December 15th, 2015 at 12:29 PM ^

With these morons running NFL franchises, that will totally get him at least some interest.  What will probably keep him from getting one of those HC jobs is these franchises will go with retreads like Ken Whisenhunt, Norv Turner, etc.

I was glad to see the Jets give a chance to a guy like Todd Bowles last year.  I wish Teryl Austin would have gotten a chance.  However, I understood that a little bit, having only one year as a DC.

If you can't tell, I'm a little cynical when it comes to the NFL.  I'm a damaged Lions fan.   

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 22020

Hail-Storm

December 15th, 2015 at 9:59 AM ^

I usually have no idea what I'm talking about, but isn't our lineup and recruits best set up for a 4-3 under? As in, we don't have an enormous space eater nose tackle and stand up ends to play the outside linebackers, but do have a lot of great NT to play in a 4-3 with a few great 3-techs. 

Anyway, if someone more knowledged (not THE KNOWLEDGE) could help me understand how Michigan's personel would fit a 3-4, it'd be appriciated. 

 

Edit: Bambi and Alum beat me to it while I wrote my post.

Joined: 06/07/2010

MGoPoints: 9776

WolvinLA2

December 15th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^

Keep in mind that "LB" in a 3-4 is a little different. All of our guys who now play the BUCK would be LBs in the 3-4, so you have to include guys like Marshall, Reuben Jones, maybe Shelton Johnson and Carlo Kemp in the LB pool. OLBs in a 3-4 are essentially both WDEs.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

LJ

December 15th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^

I've always wondered how the 4-3 under even really differs from a 3-4 that doesn't run a one-gap system with a planet-size NT.  The 4-3 Buck is essentially an OLB just like the strongside linebacker, as you said.

Plus, we're going to be in nickel for most of our snaps anyway for as long as Peppers in on the team, so who really cares?

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 18306

dragonchild

December 15th, 2015 at 10:48 AM ^

3-4 in a Nickel replaces one of the linebackers with a DB, the NB in modern days being more a third safety than a CB.

In other words, "3-4" in this context really means the anti-spread 3-3-5 with an OLB being an LB/DE hybrid, i.e. "buck".

Which is exactly what we ran all this season.

So, yeah. . . "3-4" is a rather meaningless term these days.

Joined: 10/13/2011

MGoPoints: 60912

EGD

December 15th, 2015 at 10:31 AM ^

From Wikipedia: "On January 8, 2010, Leavitt was fired after an investigation by USF officials found that he had struck a player in the locker room during halftime of a game against Louisville the previous November 21. Leavitt claimed he was merely trying to console the player and never struck him. School officials found that Leavitt was not truthful about what happened, and also found that he had interfered with the investigation.[8] ESPN's Ivan Maisel reported that Leavitt's interference, which included telling several players and coaches to change their stories, was the biggest factor in the decision to fire him.[9] The Tampa Tribune reported that school president Judy Genshaft and athletic director Doug Woolard felt they had no choice but to fire Leavitt after he refused to admit he had done anything wrong.[10] Running backs coach Carl Franks was named interim coach of the Bulls[11] until January 14, 2010, when Skip Holtz was hired as head coach.[12]"

The dishonesty part really bothers me. But it has been almost six years; hopefully he has learned from the incident and changed his ways.

Joined: 09/16/2009

MGoPoints: 35199

legalblue

December 15th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^

This is not a guy who would be a good hire for U of M.  First, yeah, the dishonesty thing is a big damn deal.  You yourself may "misremember" an incident, but asking other people especially those you are in a position of power over to lie to cover you is double plus ungood.

Also how is recruiting going to go?  You thinks parents aren't going o be concerned that there child is going to be slapped around by the DC?  Or asked to lie to cover up his misdeeds?

No thanks, I don't really care how good he is at Xs and Os, character is at least as important as football ability.

Joined: 09/04/2010

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