Some new OC ideas - Please post yours
The rumor mill is in full swing, and it appears as few as one offensive coach could be returning. My guess is that the returning coach is Jay Harbaugh. It now appears that Al Washington has been hired.
umbig11 has noted that JH is looking for offensive minds the same way he found Don Brown--looking for the best offenses in the country to poach top-flight coaches. In that spirit, I stopped listening to rumors and started researching the top offensive minds that might be compatible with Michigan.
After a quick scan of the top P5 offenses, here are three names I believe would be great choices for our new OC. In order to keep this conversation somewhat realistic, there are some key criteria: 1) Cannot be current OC at blueblood program. 2) Cannot be coaching at their alma mater as an OC/HC. 3) Cannot be an OC of a "spread-to-run" offense where the QB is a featured runner.
- Mike Yurcich, Oklahoma State OC/QB - Yurcich is one of the top offensive minds in the country. He is an Ohio native, went to school in PA, and coaching in IN and PA before moving to OK State. While his spread system would be a drastic departure from UM's current philosophy, it does not focus on a running QB. I do believe we have the personnel to run this system.
- Mike Norvell, Memphis HC - Norvell's offense at Memphis was #4 in total offense, #2 in scoring offense, and #4 in S&P+. The former ASU OC runs a pro/spread hybrid. His OC, Darrell Dickey, was just hired as TAMU's OC by Jimbo Fisher. The run game coordinator/OL coach, Ryan Silverfield, would be another intriguing hire.
- Phil Longo, Ole Miss OC/QB - What if Shea Patterson could run the same offense at Michigan? Ole Miss boasted the #9 S&P+ offense in 2017, Longo's first year as OC. Longo grew up in NJ and has coached in MN, OH, PA, and IL. More recently, he rewrote the record books at FCS Sam Houston State, amassing over 6,500 yards in 2016--over 4,500 passing and 2,000 rushing.
Of these three, my top choice would be Norvell, as I believe he is the most compatible with our current style and personnel. But any of them would be quantum leap forward.
January 4th, 2018 at 7:35 PM ^
January 5th, 2018 at 10:11 AM ^
over Harbaugh, who really wanted the job. It would be interesting to bring him back in the same role. As our OC? He's about the most uninspiring choice out there.
January 4th, 2018 at 7:04 PM ^
I was just reading some different articles about some of the most innovative offensive minds in college football. Many of them I left off this list because they are securly employed as a HC or are likley HC candidates. Those below are the remaining coaches that are or may be in need of a job. The two at the top are interesting but of course unemployable.
Who are the most innovative minds in college football:
Art Briles – Out of work - Fired for misconduct unacceptable to Michigan
Rich Rod – Out of work - Fired for misconduct unacceptable to Michigan
Mark Helfrich – TV Analyst - Fired as Oregon head coach - rumored to be joining Texas
Bob Stitt – Out of work - Just fired from Montana
Dana Holgorson – Head Coach West Virginia – 6 years with limited success and possibly gone this year or next
Jedd Fisch – Most recently UCLA interim Head Coach – Future uncertain - Not likley coming back to Michigan for obvious reasons
Jake Spavital – West Virginia OC – HC may be in trouble
Mike Yurcich – Oklahoma State OC – Most likely a head coach candidate
Philip Montgomery – Tulsa HC, Former Baylor OC, 2-8 season may force him out.
January 4th, 2018 at 7:11 PM ^
I had came across Norvell too but he's not coming here as an OC. His next step is a HC position at a top program.
January 5th, 2018 at 1:08 AM ^
Surpised I havent heard Kevin Sumlin's name tossed out there. Sure he'll be looking for a head coaching position sooner rather than later, but its looking like he's no longer being considered for the Arizona job, which probably puts him out of potential P5 head coaching positions for this cycle.
I could see him coming to be OC for Michigan and Shea Patterson for a year. If he came and turned Michigan's offense around that would set UM up for a run to the playoffs and certainly shoot him to the top of the list for next years coaching carousel.
January 4th, 2018 at 7:05 PM ^
January 4th, 2018 at 10:11 PM ^
January 5th, 2018 at 12:24 AM ^
Um, didn't you hear? Lane Kiffin was at the Michigan bowl practice, it's practically a done deal
January 5th, 2018 at 2:12 AM ^
uSC practice. I think he was visiting a lot teams that week.
January 5th, 2018 at 4:00 AM ^
January 5th, 2018 at 6:42 AM ^
January 5th, 2018 at 7:06 AM ^
January 5th, 2018 at 10:15 AM ^
I look at what Harbaugh did in the NFL with a mobile QB using option principles and I want that at Michigan. I'm tired of watching an offense that falls apart if you don't have a future NFL QB who can make multiple reads on every play. If they go pistol, they can still do all their pro style passing stuff if they have the right QB for that on the roster, while being able to go "eh we ain't got that this year, let's just run the option" if that's what the cards say that season.
It's too frustrating to watch certain teams be able to win with QBs who are poop but who can run still have solid offenses while Michigan's breaks down if they don't have Rich Gannon Jr.
January 5th, 2018 at 11:17 AM ^
Clemson University, co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach.