Asst. Coaching Candidate: Jerry Montgomery
Sam spent a lot of time on WTKA this morning talking up the potential candidacy of Jerry Montgomery to take over coaching the DL. For those who don't remember him, Montgomery was on Hoke's staff before leaving to coach at Oklahoma and then the Packers.
He's been the D-Line coach for the Packers for the past two seasons (he briefly took a job at Texas A&M a year ago before returning to the Packers), and with the change in Green Bay, Montgomery could be on the move.
I didn't remember this, but according to his Wikipedia page (LINK), he's a strong recruiter who was the primary recruiter for Ondre Pipkins and Derrick Green. (Hey, they WERE five-stars...). I think I'd like this.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:03 AM ^
Any rumors on LB coach yet?
January 9th, 2019 at 10:11 AM ^
I heard Brian Bosworth out of Fansville is rumored to be mulling an offer.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:21 AM ^
Les Miles was rumored to be in the running, then he electrocuted himself to kingdom come.
January 9th, 2019 at 12:45 PM ^
Again?
January 9th, 2019 at 10:23 AM ^
Pure speculation, but I think you could see Partridge going back to LBs/Vipers and Devin Bush (senior) added as the Safeties coach.
January 9th, 2019 at 11:06 AM ^
That would actually make sense. I've been wondering how Michigan has been able to hold onto Bush Sr this long without offering him an actually coaching job.
January 9th, 2019 at 11:28 AM ^
His son was the pull I suspect. I’m with the above poster, give us some more Bush.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:33 AM ^
Larry Foote could be a name to watch since the Kingsbury will be assessing his new staff with the Cardinals.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:55 AM ^
Sam mentioned this as well on WTKA this morning - Foote's not interested in the college game at this point unless he's up for a D-Coordinator position, and even then it might not be enough to lure him away from the pros. Implied he likes he likes coaching adults at the pro level and isnt so much for recruiting.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:13 AM ^
I was pretty impressed with Kentucky's Defense this year. I'd be pretty interested if Michigan went after their D-line coach, Derrick LeBlanc.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:13 AM ^
He would be a good hire. I remember him being both a good recruiter and coach and thought it was a big loss when he left
January 9th, 2019 at 10:17 AM ^
he does switch jobs a lot is he going to be a long term solution?
January 9th, 2019 at 10:18 AM ^
Go after Chad Wilt, Army's DL coach.
January 9th, 2019 at 11:28 AM ^
Good call, I was at the Army Navy game and Army's D-line played really well.
January 9th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^
They've been solid and although he's got a roster full of outstanding young men, most are not 4* and 5* recruits.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:20 AM ^
Pure Gold!?
January 9th, 2019 at 10:26 AM ^
Would love this. He’s a great coach and recruiter. Pay this man!
January 9th, 2019 at 10:28 AM ^
Several years ago I was at O'Hare, about to depart Chicago for Miami, and at the gate I noticed a very large, muscled human with a block M on his polo. He looked youngish but definitely too old to be a current player, so I thought maybe he could be a former player.
So I walked over and said "Go Blue!" and it was Jerry Montgomery. He was on his way to FL on a recruiting trip. Super nice guy, very down to earth, humble, willing to chat for a few minutes.
He mentioned that he had been a four year starter at Iowa under Hayden Fry and Kirk Ferentz. Pretty nice pedigree, especially for a lineman. He was a huge part of restructuring our defense after its entire decimation during the RRod years.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:44 AM ^
Well, Jerry Garcia is dead, so I guess Montgomery will have to do.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:48 AM ^
I’d take him back for sure, if he was interested. The DL under his watch was pretty darn good, especially that first year under Hoke. He turned Martin, Van Bergen and Heineger into great players, and he was also a hell of a recruiter.
He may sit there and decide he still wants to be in the NFL, and if that’s the case, then that’s something Harbaugh just can’t offer here. But I’d definitely reach out and at least gauge his interest.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:53 AM ^
Love it, if true. This is where Harbaugh can really differentiate -- pulling NFL talent back to college. The benefits are plenty, but--chief among them--these kids are going to get NFL draft wisdom from guys who do the scouting for the NFL. Would love Harbs to really flash some cash and pull some better coordinators in the league. While Michigan is hamstrung by not paying players, we can make up for it by outspending everyone else.
January 9th, 2019 at 10:56 AM ^
More than anything, I am sure Coach Harbaugh has many, many, many more contacts in coaching circles than I will ever have. The chances of him being able to evaluate references and making a good hire are excellent.
January 9th, 2019 at 11:13 AM ^
Harbaugh can call Bill Belichek and he’ll take the call.
January 9th, 2019 at 11:17 AM ^
I seriously hope Harbaugh or any future coach doesn't think anything like this fanbase. I mean everytime a position opens up, we immediately think of alumni, or former staffers. I get the loyalty aspect and all, but......It's not working. Try something different.......It's kind of like running between the tackles on 1st & 2nd down every posession.
Its great to bring back the people that went to Michigan, and who have Michigan in their blood. But I think we need to start bringing in people who have winning in their blood. We aren't at a "crossroads" in CFB anymore. We need to make a U turn
January 9th, 2019 at 11:27 AM ^
" I mean every time a position opens up, we immediately think of alumni, or former staffers."
If you're concerned about the general dangers of a program being a bit inbred, I agree—transfusions of outside blood are a good thing.
But with specific respect to Montgomery, it's not like he's a legacy longtime Michigan guy—he played his college ball elsewhere, and was only on staff here for two seasons. The extent of his exposure to non-Michigan influences is far, far greater than his Michigan time.
All that said, nobody has provided solid evidence that Montgomery has any interest whatsoever in returning to the college game. I'm skeptical until I see otherwise.
January 9th, 2019 at 11:28 AM ^
Montgomery was a very good former staffer and is not an alum. Also, when someone has an intrinsic interest in the university beyond $$, they're almost certainly more likely to take a job and be loyal. That's basic psychology. Harbaugh should prioritize getting the best coach out there regardless of former ties, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with looking at qualified candidates who also have ties to the institution. We're not looking at DeBord here.
January 9th, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
Would his name even be in the conversation had he not been on a former staff? I believe not......but I could be wrong. But just looking at his last job was with GB, who is not in the playoffs, and whose defensive line was not even average in comparison to other teams.
So can he recruit? I've seen a couple 5 star players that he brought in, but neither are in the NFL
January 9th, 2019 at 11:56 AM ^
Considering that he's a quickly rising DL coach who is a very good recruiter (see his primary recruits here), I would hope his name would be in consideration. Regarding his Green Bay team, who gives a shit if they're in the playoffs? It's a team sport and he's well regarded within the coaching ranks. He was good enough for Stoops to offer him a big raise to leave us, then for the NFL to hire him away from Oklahoma. This is not someone who has been fired at any point.
January 9th, 2019 at 11:52 AM ^
I thought of him when I heard of out 2 departures. He was a good dude, as memory serves. Would be a good get overall.
January 9th, 2019 at 12:05 PM ^
Since we are just throwing out names and playing Fantasy Football- Coaches Edition.
Tray Scott. Solid resume, very good recruiter, and would get a $100k + raise just sliding in at Mattison's salary.
January 9th, 2019 at 12:05 PM ^
Why would he take a step back?
January 9th, 2019 at 12:26 PM ^
Isn’t Drevno still at USC? I thought Fisch left because of Drevno
January 9th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^
Most likely, if he's the OC he can fire Drevno if he chooses.
January 9th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^
The better question - is this something Sam pulled out of his ass, or is there a bit of fire behind this smoke? Or was Sam just trying to fill air time?
January 9th, 2019 at 12:40 PM ^
We were upset when he left, so you would assume we would be happy to get a more seasoned version of him back.
But . . . why would he come back here? Seems kind of lateral and years later no less.
January 9th, 2019 at 1:12 PM ^
Can we just break free of the incestual hires? Is it really too much to ask to find a person that doesn’t have ties to Hoke or any other Michigan coach? He may be a great coach and a great hire if it happens, but let’s not be afraid to broaden our horizons.
maybe he’ll sign with us then follow Mattison to OSU. I kid, I kid......kinda.
January 9th, 2019 at 2:01 PM ^
You mean kind of like the Don Brown hire?
January 9th, 2019 at 4:09 PM ^
Jesus I completely forgot about Andre Pipkins
January 9th, 2019 at 4:56 PM ^
Please promote Partridge and Bush and then find another DL coach and analyst.
I spoke w a very close friend of mine today who is a D Coordinator at a Pac12 school and he said that if Matty and Washington bolted this quick then he would bet money that it was in the works for weeks, he also said Urban to SC is heating up here on the West Coast and that’s the main reason Kingsbury bounced.
January 9th, 2019 at 7:52 PM ^