Offensive staff possibilities and ideas

Submitted by Ron Utah on

Yesterday's post about OC ideas generated some great ideas and helped sift through some bad ones.  Thank you to everyone who offered useful or clever input.

Here are some more ideas, including names for position coaches and co-coordinators.  If Harbaugh stays true to form, we will continue to have a Run Game Coordinator and a Pass Game Coordinator, so that opens up more possibilites.

  • Matt Canada - Coached an incredibly successful Pitt offense in '16 and parlayed that into the LSU OC job.  Graduated from Indiana and has coached in IN, WI, PA, IL, NC, and LA.  Seems to work magic with rushing attacks.  Could be a stand-alone or Co-OC.
  • Ryan Silverfield - The Memphis OL/Run Game Coordinator is a strong recruiter and coach.  He coached Kevin Smith (UCF RB) to a 2,500 yard season and Adrian Peterson (at the Vikings) to his best (2.097 yards) season.  He was also on Todd Graham's ASU staff (where he connected with Norvell) and has coached at Toledo.  NFL, NCAA, and midwest ties with an excellent track record--do want.  As a bonus, he grew-up in and maintains Florida ties, which can't hurt our recruiting down there.  Would need a Pass Game Co-Coordinator if we hired Silverfield.
  • Beau Baldwin - While he has a thin FBS resume--with just one year at Cal as an OC--Baldwin is a highly-respected offensive mind.  He's always been a West Coast guy, but many think he has a bright future.  His #81 S&P+ ranking, following last year's #5 ranking for Cal, does little to inspire confidence, but it's a small sample and he might be able to build some success at Cal.
  • Dan Enos - Not a new idea, but I'm not sure how much most people know about Enos.  After losing their excellent OL coach, Sam Pittman, Arkansas was never able to repeat their rushing success.  But Enos' offenses have been pretty good in Arkansas, despite a talent deficiency in the SEC West.  I like this hire if Michigan finds a strong complement to coach the OL/Running Game.
  • Brian Wright - Toledo's OC/QB, Wright leads a highly effective passing spread offense.  While he's a bright offensive mind, he's unlikely to be hired as anything other than a QB/Pass Game Coordinator, since his offense does not resemble anything like Harbaugh's.

Please continue to add ideas.  Small school guys (FCS or lower) are unlikely to get an opportunity at Michigan (for better or for worse).  Roman is rumored to want to stay in the NFL.  EDIT - Now official that Roman is staying with the Ravens.

GMSUM

January 5th, 2018 at 1:52 PM ^

Eric Morris (Texas Tech) would be another guy to kick the tires on, although he just accepted a head coaching gig with Incarnate Wood.  Second best S&P offense last 4 years.

Tony Levine another rising coach.  Lacks the OC experience but has coached under Brohm, who has done quite well on offense.

AMazinBlue

January 5th, 2018 at 1:57 PM ^

Came from Middle Tennessee and does good work with QBs as well.  Arkansa State was 10th in yards per game at 495 and 14th in ppg with 37.8.  Would be under the radar pick.

chunkums

January 5th, 2018 at 2:00 PM ^

If we're sticking with the ___ game coordinator and a pro-style offense, I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to retaining Drevno as the RGC and picking someone better as PGC. The fancystats graded our running game pretty well even though we literally didn't have a passing threat whatsoever. Additionally, I think there was probably a serious issue with having Frey and Drevno competing against each other to see whose scheme would work out. Drevno is a proven OL coach with a long track record. It would be interesting to see how an offseason with a much heavier emphasis on gap-blocking could work out.

With all of that said, my ideal staff would just have one OC and an OL coach. If that OC likes gap blocking, Drevno seems like the best guy for the job. 

goblue12

January 5th, 2018 at 2:27 PM ^

Jedd Fisch? Is he staying in UCLA under Chip Kelly? Could he come back as OC? Some of the players would have familiarity with his style/playbook.

4th phase

January 5th, 2018 at 2:29 PM ^

someone mentioned Keith Williams in the other thread. I like that idea for his success recruiting and for having a wr coach for the young wrs. obviously a big problem is his DUIs but umbig11 did say something about a coach with baggage being looked at.

nycblue22

January 5th, 2018 at 3:38 PM ^

Was the Wisconsin run game coordinator from 2006-2011. Spent a few years in the NFL and is now coaching ILB for Wisconsin this past year and only making $300k. 

MGoCarolinaBlue

January 5th, 2018 at 3:55 PM ^

Please add your ideas quickly and send it to the coaches so that they can act on it at once!! With our help, Coach will be able to fire Drev and Pep and find suitable replacements.

Neversatisfied

January 5th, 2018 at 9:41 PM ^

Drevno isn't a terrible coach. Just need someone that can recruit and develop opposite him. I don't see Harbaugh going pass heavy regardless, but a passing coordinator that can develop a game plan(and develop the personnel) to run an effective route tree with more than 2-3 pass options would be nice. Adding in a sound RPO scheme would do wonders for our offense.