D Coordinator Candidate
Over a week ago, I suggested Pete Rekstis come up from Kent State to lead our defense next year. http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/if-not-gerg-then-who#comment-761264 (stats included in that post).
Well, as many of you know Kent State's head coach is resigning after this season (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/wires/11/21/2060.ap.fbc.kent.st.coach.0224/index.html).
As an avid fan of good offenses and strong defenses, I believe we should make a run at this guy at the end of the season to be our D-Coordinator.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:05 PM ^
And picked this one to post this in?
Or are you just getting started?
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
Unfortunately, to achieve maximum effect you have to get the jackass comment as the first response to the OP. It very easily could have been used in a half dozen threads this morning. This just happens to be where it worked out.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
Well, I got the "Let's reflect on Lloyd's Last OSU Game" post. Hopefully someone can do the same to the "Harbaugh" one.
Though I really don't think this is all that bad a post here. Just mistimed this week. Hearing about legit candidates might be best left till after the last game, but is worthwhile.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:52 PM ^
Sit down and shut up GERG!
November 23rd, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
Be nice. I love it when Greg rubs his beaver all over my face.
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:56 PM ^
But I do like your hair.
November 23rd, 2010 at 11:58 AM ^
Yeah but you're not asking the important question: is he willing to do whatever the defensive position coaches tell him to do? Because apparently that is a requirement.
November 23rd, 2010 at 11:59 AM ^
As an avid fan of good offenses and strong defensesFunny, I'm more of a "bad offenses, weak defenses" kind of guy.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
I never knew we had Kansas State fans on mgoboard.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:05 PM ^
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^
This is why I spend so much time on this site. Well done.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^
I always try to shout down those on the board that yell at others for posting stuff that they just don't like. Your post has now turned me into a hypocrit!
Why do you feel the need to post this obviously groundbreaking topic now? What are you adding to the discussion? Haven't we seen enough "so who could replace RR or GERG next year" threads? And during OSU week? For shame.
There will be plenty of time to discuss these topics after OSU.
Oh, and when we do, if you are going to start a topic, how about something other than: "in my totally uninformed opinion, I think (fill in the blank) would be a good defensive coordinator because I like defense and he coaches defense and defense is good so we should hire this guy to coach our defense because he coaches defense. defense."
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^
I disagree. This is more than a generic "GERG should be fired!" post. He's bringing to our attention an under the radar candidate (one I wouldn't otherwise be aware of). Considering our next defensive coordinator is more likely to be a young up and comer looking to make a name, rather than an established defensive guru, I appreciate posts like this, which give an idea of potential realistic hires.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:17 PM ^
Then don't read it. That simple.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:51 PM ^
November 23rd, 2010 at 1:01 PM ^
Gawd, get over yourself. #1 - What is discussed on the board has nothing to do with the outcome of the OSU game. #2 -Don't click on the topic if you don't want to read it.
I like the fact that you identified yourself as a hypocrite at the top of your comment. Interesting how your post spams up the comment section of this thread while you rail against the OP for posting items unrelated to OSU, and effectively spamming, the board. Sheesh.
Only here on the mgoboard is the cliché of Michigan arrogance so blatantly displayed. Who made you judge and jury about what is quality post material, who is informed/uninformed, and when certain topics should be discussed? Spare us your over-inflated sense of importance and knowledge.
This is a clear case of criticizing others to make oneself seem superior. Grow up.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
Interesting info. I'd love if RR made a play at this guy.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:42 PM ^
So Kent St was 51st in defense in 09 and 87th in 08...very telling.
It looks like several teams in the MAC are in the Top 50 in defense. I think the MAC offenses blowing this year has something to do with that.
I think people need to realize there are a lot of things that go into having a good defense and there are not a lot of geniuses out there.
We got rid of Schaefer and look at him now. Everyone thought English was a genius in 06 then he looked like a doofus in 07. Robinson looked like a genius winning Super Bowls and looks like a moron now. Look at Tubberville at Texas Tech and so on and so on ....
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^
I'd take Bo Pelini
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:54 PM ^
I really think everyone on the defensive staff should go... RR has to due whats best for him and the program and not worry about relationships and staying Loyal. If your not getting the job done, then its simple...here is your pink slip.
November 23rd, 2010 at 6:57 PM ^
Pretty sure Bruce Tall has pulled more than his weight, which is considerable.
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:54 PM ^
Didn't Army beat Kent State? Losing to Army is not a ringing endorsement of any program for having "Strong Defense".
November 23rd, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
I went down to Bowling Green a few weeks ago to visit my daughter who's in grad school there, and I went to the BG-Kent State game. KSU won handily, but BG really looked awful. I did not come away from that game thinking that the KSU defense was anything remarkable.
November 23rd, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
My youngest son is going to BG next year as well Don.
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:43 PM ^
Small world... my daughter's just in her first year of grad school, but she really likes BG a lot so far. She might do her doctoral work there, too.
I agree with aiming a bit higher, but I also wonder whether RR is truly going to hire a big name/Will-Muschamp kind of guy...I suspect he hired Robinson primarlly because he thought he would get along with his assistants, who seem to be untouchable so far.
November 23rd, 2010 at 4:06 PM ^
I think Will Muschamp is already locked in...
I can't see a big name coming to Ann Arbor for this reclamation project. It's going to have to be an under the radar kind of guy. A top level guy could have his career set back several seasons if Michigan gets torched (again) next year.
November 23rd, 2010 at 1:01 PM ^
I live in Hudson, Ohio and have two kids currently attending Kent State. I have actually attended a KSU football game - not many on the board can say that. Hell....not many humans can say that.
Anyways,he's not bad (and would certainly be a massive upgrade IMO from Gerg but then again so would my cat) but I'd like to see us aim a wee bit higher in the search. Call me an elitest but I think we can do better.
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:31 PM ^
I think that elite DC candidates will be scared off by Rodriguez' insecure job status. I don't see one of these guys leaving a relatively safe position for what might be a one-year gig. If we get an up-and-comer, it will probably be a guy from a program like Kent State.
November 23rd, 2010 at 1:36 PM ^
but I don't think we just dump Gerg for any clown out there. I am not one who thinks that continuity is the be all and end all, but it does have advantages.
If we can go out and land one of the elite DC's in the country do and don't look back. However, if that person isn't available I think I would rather take my chances with Gerg for one more season than hire some unproven (or worse, proven mediocre) DC to a 4 year contract (I don't think anyone would sign on for less).
Even with Gerg, I can't see this defense NOT improving. I think he will definitely retard their improvement, but just based on their talents I think they will improve. After next season we could try again to land an elite DC to come in for Gerg.
I guess my point is I would love to have a new DC for next year, but I want it to be a proven DC who will come in here and really make a change for this young defense. If we can't get that DC, as much as I hate to say it, I think it might be best to take our chances with Gerg for one more season. That continuity (and beaver rubbing) will at least yield some improvement.....
/fingers crossed
November 23rd, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^
So would these stats make a candidate proven in your eyes?:
- Defensive Coordinator - New York Jets 1994
- Defensive Coordinator - Denver Broncos (2 Super Bowls) 1995 - 2000
- Defensive Coordinator - Kansas City Chiefs 2001 - 2003
- Defensive Coordinator - University of Texas (11-1, Rose Bowl Champions) 2004
- Head Coach - Syracuse (worst head coaching job ever) 2005 - 2008
Proven shmoven. Past success is not necessarily an indicator of future performance.
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
Last time I checked, Gerg is still our d-coordinator, and like it or not, it's not up to any of us whether or not he keeps his job. Until he's gone, any discussion of a "replacement" is pointless because there is no need for one.
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^
You are most likely correct, however, you are forgetting one major factor. As I stated yesterday in another thread, the DC will only be as good as the coaches he has with him. As long as RR has his defensive coaches from WVU on this team, and does not make them accountable for the demise of this team, then there is absolutely not a DC candidate out there that will succeed under the RR regime.
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:23 PM ^
DB needs to makes RR defense assistants accountable and force RR to make changes to his defensive staff! Help RR bring in a DC and help that DC hire his own assistants. This forcing assistants on Shafer/GERG clearly isnt working too well
Go Blue Beat OSU!
November 23rd, 2010 at 6:54 PM ^
Assume that Jeff Casteel from West Virginia (which has the 4th ranked total defense among FBS teams) won’t be rejoining his former WVU compatriots on the Michigan sidelines in 2011. Inviting Greg Robinson back for another season as Defensive Coordinator could be a grave mistake.
Of Robinson’s last six college defenses, four will have finished among the 20 worst among FBS teams. For those who say that he’d succeed at Michigan if only he could use his own schemes and hire his own assistants, consider that all of those units played with Robinson’s schemes, were coached by Robinson and his hand-picked assistants, and included many of Robinson’s recruits. And his best season was in 2005 when he made great strides to bring Paul Pasqualoni’s players up to a 57th ranking in FBS.
If the powers that be tell Rich Rodriguez that one of his goals for 2011 should be laying the foundation for a strong defense that will match the improvement that Michigan’s offense has enjoyed with his coaching, then the only reasonable option may be to replace the entire Michigan defensive coaching staff with a staff that has enjoyed recent success, even if that success has come at the FCS level. And then, if the new defensive staff is given free rein with limited oversight from Rodriguez, we will learn whether that’s the right formula for Rodriguez to succeed as Head Coach at Michigan.
For what it’s worth when considering a replacement for Greg Robinson as Michigan’s Defensive Coordinator (assuming – but not necessarily knowing – that it will be tough to get a high-ranked BCS staff to move to Ann Arbor), Kent State’s defense is ranked 18th among FBS teams, but they’re only 4-7 and 3-4 in the MAC. Temple (8-3 and 5-2 in the MAC), rejuvenated under Head Coach Al Golden, is ranked 13th in total defense in FBS.
On the FCS side, among the academic elites* in the total defense rankings, Penn (9-0, 7-1 in Ivy) is 5th, Colgate (7-4, 4-2 in Patriot) 13th, Harvard (7-3, 5-2 in Ivy) 18th, Yale (7-3, 5-2 in Ivy) 20th, Brown (6-4, 5-2 in Ivy) 22nd and William & Mary (8-3, 6-2 in Colonial) 24th. And on the FCS winged-helmet side, Delaware (9-2, 6-2 in Colonial) is ranked 3rd.
*Coaches at the academic elites should be more accustomed to identifying talented recruits who fit Michigan’s academic profile, so academic risks like Adrian Witty and Demar Dorsey will be avoided.