December 16th, 2015 at 9:49 PM ^
To win a division title, we're gonna have to go through them.
It'd be nice to be able to actually get stops for once and not give 42 points to OSU and Indiana every year.
Being able to stop those offenses and still being a great defense against pro style teams aren't mutually exclusive.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:52 PM ^
Give me one.
Cause it's not Jim Leavitt. That doesn't mean he's not a great coach...but he's not a spread stopping guru. He's not a mythical creature who can do things no one else can.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:57 PM ^
He's not a mythical creature who can do things no one else can.
Do you know this for sure?
December 16th, 2015 at 10:00 PM ^
I'm positive.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:56 PM ^
Breaking down WD's and Mr. Yosts positions, you can Loveitt or Leavitt
December 16th, 2015 at 10:04 PM ^
So you think Leavitt has a chokehold on the position?
December 16th, 2015 at 10:15 PM ^
He should be a smashing success.
December 16th, 2015 at 10:25 PM ^
Oops, double post. Did you hear the one about the traveling salesman whose car broke down next to the farmer's house on Christmas Eve???
December 17th, 2015 at 12:16 AM ^
Anything less would be a punch in the gut
December 16th, 2015 at 9:34 PM ^
But I'll be honest, this wasn't even a top 3 option for me and I was secretly nervous he'd come. So I'm not going to say I'm happy...but I'm definitely not sad.
Dave Aranda is the ONLY realistic option at the college level, IMO.
I'm hoping we hit a home run there or Harbaugh has an NFL connection rolled up his sleeve.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:39 PM ^
I don't see why Leavitt is not realistic. Harbaugh hired him at SF.
As far as Aranda goes......after our recent defensive performances against OSU, hiring a guy who gave up 59 to them isn't going to excite the fanbase.
If no Leavitt, probably headed to a 3-4 which I'm personally not a fan of. Mainly because it relies on great LB play and there are quite a few questions about who is gonna be playing next year.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:46 PM ^
I wasn't knocking Leavitt as much as I was trying to say we're not getting guys like Pruitt or Venables. That's what I meant...those aren't realistic college options. Aranda, IMO, is the best candidate that we could get.
But this still doesn't answer the question about Leavitt on why hasn't he already been hired if it's him? Why wouldn't you have had him in a week or two ago so he could start recruiting?
It doesn't make any sense to wait on any coach who's not in a bowl game. And even that is a sketchy reason, IMO...IMO, the only reason you'd stay is if you're in the CFB Playoff or you're fielding multiple options.
December 16th, 2015 at 10:25 PM ^
Frankly, I'm not at all worried about this. I have no doubt that Coach Harbaugh knows who he wants and it would not surprise me if the decision has already been made.
Harbaugh is hypercompetitive and knows quite well that our defenses will have to confront OSU's offense every year. He knows better than we do that our defenses will have to be able to defend against the spread.
I think the delay in making an announcement has to do with not creating a distraction for the team and coaching staff as the team prepares for its bowl game.
IF it's Leavitt, the delay may also be due to prolonged vetting on the part of the University, given the situation surrounding his departure from South Florida. Frankly, those circumstances make me doubt that this university will accept him as an assistant coach. We'll see.
My guess it that it will be someone currently in the NFL, someone with a connection to Coach Harbaugh and/or his brother. I think Coach is a "go big or go home" kind of guy and I think the hire will make a splash. We'll see.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:53 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 16th, 2015 at 10:00 PM ^
Especially a college coach who's not in a bowl.
December 16th, 2015 at 10:12 PM ^
p.s. if Leavitt is so great why is a DC at Colo? No blue blood wanted him? No one in the B12? After all - he is the supernatural guru who could stop Baylor.
If I am Oklahoma State or Baylor I'd be hiring Leavitt last year because he is the "only guy in America who could stop rich rod's offenses" /drink
December 16th, 2015 at 9:34 PM ^
for asking "who else is there."
December 16th, 2015 at 9:36 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 16th, 2015 at 9:50 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 16th, 2015 at 9:37 PM ^
December 16th, 2015 at 9:37 PM ^
Aranda or Leavitt would be power moves.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:38 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 16th, 2015 at 9:38 PM ^
December 16th, 2015 at 9:39 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 16th, 2015 at 9:59 PM ^
December 16th, 2015 at 11:36 PM ^
Hmmmm... this reminds me of something...
December 16th, 2015 at 9:40 PM ^
He doesn't run a 3-4 and his team isn't in a bowl...so there's no reason for him not to be named the DC now, or yesterday, or last week or the week before. He could've been named days after Durkin left if we wanted.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:56 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 16th, 2015 at 10:12 PM ^
I work in college athletics.
And just think...that wouldn't make sense.
We hired Rich Rod and he was even on the sidelines for the Citrus Bowl and Lloyd Carr was the head coach. We would've had 2 head coaches and 11 coaches on staff.
You can easily announce Leavitt and let Partridge coach the Citrus Bowl. Leavitt just can't act as a coach. But it's two week away, that gives him time to move to Ann Arbor, get settled and wait for 1/2/16 to start his new job. And your recruits would know the name and the buzz.
Shit, isn't Kirby Smart coaching for BAMA in the playoffs while already named the head coach at UGA?
What you were told is a crock of crap my friend.
December 17th, 2015 at 12:49 AM ^
Why is everyone so convinced that the next DC will run a 3-4? Because somebody said so on Twitter?
December 16th, 2015 at 9:42 PM ^
But like I just said, the more it's delayed, the more I think it's an NFL coach.
The college coaches could all be announced right now, think about it...what's the hold up at this point? All of the games are over. It's just bowl games left and you'd want to announce it sooner than later so you can give your current school the opportunity to regroup.
You also want to help your next school by hitting the recruiting trail even if you're not coaching in the game, right?
I can't think of a reason for a college coach to be holding off unless he's in the playoff right now. That's not happening.
So with every day that passes, I think NFL.
Now...we know 7-9 NFL coaches are likely going to be fired, right? So start there. Then look at their DCs. Then look at guys who just may want to play the season out and then move.
I never thought guys like Vic Fangio or Teryl Austin were realistic candidates, but again...every day that passes makes me wonder.
If it's a college coach, it should definitely be announced by the end of this week. No reason not to.
Who are 3-4 coaches in the NFL to go along with Aranda and Anderson? The rumored college names...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to Wiki...because I'm too lazy to look it up myself...
As of 2015, NFL teams that regularly incorporate the 3–4 defensive alignment scheme as a base include the Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, and the Chicago Bears, who will be the last team to use the defense on a regular basis. The New England Patriots returned to a 4–3 defensive front at the end of the 2011 season. The Buffalo Bills returned to a 4-3 base defense in 2014 and will continue to use the 4-3 with the hiring of head coach Rex Ryan and defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, who was Ryan's defensive coordinator while with the New York Jets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Browns - Jim O'Neil
- Chargers - John Pagano
- Packers - Dom Capers
- Ravens - Dean Pees
- Cardinals - James Bettcher
- Colts - Greg Manusky
- Chiefs - Bob Sutton
- Jets - Kacy Rodgers
- 49ers - Eric Mangini
- Steelers - Dick LeBeau
- Washington - Joe Barry
- Broncos - Wade Phillips
- Eagles - Bill Davis
- Titans - Ray Horton
- Texans - Romeo Crennel
- Bears - Vic Fangio
-----------------------------------------------------
NFL head coaches who could be fired...
- Dan Campbell
- Mike Pettine (Browns)
- Mike Mularkey (Titans)
- Chuck Pagano (Colts)
- Mike McCoy (Chargers)
- Chip Kelly (Eagles)
- Tom Coughlin
- Jeff Fisher
- Jim Caldwell
- Jim Tomsula (49ers)
*Mularkey, McCoy, and Kelly are offensive guys...
December 16th, 2015 at 9:53 PM ^
Most likely an NFL DC coordinator or Chuck Pagano if Michigan hired from the NFL, but a position coach is still a possibility. For example, former USC DC Clancy Pendergast is the LB coach for the 49ers.
December 16th, 2015 at 10:04 PM ^
Yea...I wasn't about to start looking at NFL position coaches, lol. That post was long enough.
IMO, from that list, you're talking Vic Fangio for a year or two until he gets something he wants in the NFL and/or Harbaugh gets someone like Derek Mason at Vandy right now.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:58 PM ^
Dick LeBeau. What's not to like in a 78-year old?
December 16th, 2015 at 10:01 PM ^
I Herd it's Belichick. Wants to be a part of the Harbaugh coaching tree.
December 16th, 2015 at 10:02 PM ^
That's what I said yesterday.
After all this...I've concluded we'll have Dick LeBeau running our defense next year.
Woot woot.
December 16th, 2015 at 10:00 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 16th, 2015 at 10:28 PM ^
Only Brennan, not Jim, would have a mangina....
December 16th, 2015 at 10:30 PM ^
I would think Tomsula would not get fired after 1 year as Jed York would have to admit that he was wrong for firing Harbaugh.
December 17th, 2015 at 1:34 AM ^
New Hoke
December 17th, 2015 at 12:29 AM ^
December 16th, 2015 at 9:47 PM ^
December 16th, 2015 at 9:51 PM ^
Hoping for Dave Aranda, but I have faith that Harbaugh will get the DC we need. Been a long time I have had that kind of faith.
Jim Leavitt's resume is pretty solid, but the way his USF tenure ended was pretty makes me kind of hope we avoid him. Harbaugh was the one who gave him a second chance after getting fired in SF though so maybe there is more to it than what was reported or he would be more aware of any growth or change in character since the firing.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:53 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 16th, 2015 at 10:00 PM ^
It was supposed to read the way his USF tenure ended was "pretty ugly." EDIT: His wrongful termination suit was settled with USF so I guess he really didn't win it.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:54 PM ^
On top of being a great defensive mind, Leavitt is a tremendous linebacker coach. He coached that lethal linebacker unit at SF. He's my top choice but Aranda would definitely be a great hire as well.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:55 PM ^
December 16th, 2015 at 9:58 PM ^
Dave Aranda is the only college coach I'd want (that we could get).
Leavitt is on the Lance Anderson level, IMO...but that's just me.
If we don't get Aranda, I really think we go with an NFL coach and THAT is why this has taken so long. I think Harbaugh is waiting for an NFL coach to finish his season or at least get to the point where the team is out of the playoffs or something like that.
I listed a bunch of names above, many are waay off, but it was just an exercise on the 3-4 in the NFL (according to Wiki).
I really think Harbaugh may have talked Fangio into giving him a year or two until he can get Mason or develop a guy like Jackson a little more.
December 16th, 2015 at 10:03 PM ^
I don't agree with Leavitt being on Anderson's level at all. He co-coordinated great defenses at KSU along with Stoops, built a program out of nothing at South Florida, and coached an elite group of linebackers in the NFL. His resume blows Anderson's out of the water.