Hoke's statement on Jerry Montgomery & replacement open thread
Brady Hoke released the following statement last night:
"We appreciate the work Jerry did in his two seasons here with the defensive ends and continuing to help build the foundation on our defensive line," he said. "We wish Jerry, Natalie and their entire family nothing but the best. "You always hate to lose members of your staff, but you know going in that at a program like Michigan, other schools and NFL teams are going to come after them. However, I am confident that we will name a new coach who fits in very well with our staff soon."
FWIW, here's Bob Stoops' statement (Jerry Montgomery video interview as well):
"Jerry Montgomery is a talented coach who further strengthens our staff at the University of Oklahoma," Stoops said. "I have closely followed Jerry’s progress as he has ascended through the coaching ranks. I have been impressed by his ability to recruit some of the nation’s top student-athletes and then develop their skills once they arrive on campus. We are excited to have Jerry and his family join the Sooners."
Jerry Montgomery:
"It's truly a privilege to join the University of Oklahoma," said Montgomery. "Coach Stoops and his staff have an unbelievable reputation in the coaching community, and I'm excited to get to work with them. I'm very appreciative that I was able to work with Coach Hoke and our student-athletes at the University of Michigan. There were very few situations that could have convinced me to leave Ann Arbor, but the opportunity to join Coach Stoops and a storied program like the University of Oklahoma was one of them."
For information enthusiasts:
Might as well use this thread as today's open discussion on possible replacements. Maybe today's the day that rumors start swirling? I'd have to think that they'd name a replacement by Monday.
February 27th, 2013 at 10:49 AM ^
Never mind, looks like you fixed the embed on the post. No need to have it twice.
February 27th, 2013 at 10:53 AM ^
I like Hart and all, but I'm hoping for Roy Manning.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
obviously good history with UM, was RB coach at cincy last year and they led the BigEast in rushing, history with hoke. was just hired as RB coach at Northern Illinois (didn't go to Tenn w/ Jones), so would likely be amenable to a return.
this is the first that i had heard that Montgomery was more in charge of the DEs, but i guess that makes sense. maybe a guy like manning who played a lot of OLB and had a taste of theh NFL fits pretty well.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^
I want someone who can develop an edge rusher. A feared sack master.
February 27th, 2013 at 2:14 PM ^
I find that interesting, can you elaborate?
February 27th, 2013 at 2:48 PM ^
He's young, has NFL experience, coached at a couple decent schools (Cincinnati, GA at Michigan), played OLB/DE, and played at Michigan (won award for best linebacker on the team). I don't think there's any better resume someone could have without being overqualified for a position coaching job. Obviously, the coaching staff would have to mesh personality-wise, which I can't speak to, but most of the ingredients are there.
February 27th, 2013 at 2:58 PM ^
I am aware of his credentials, I should have worded the question better, why do you think he is a better choice over Mike Hart?
February 27th, 2013 at 3:03 PM ^
February 27th, 2013 at 3:39 PM ^
But from a recruiting standpoint I would take Hart… dude has the smile and the personality to be great in the living room.
February 27th, 2013 at 6:39 PM ^
You think Hart would be a better recruiter than Wheatley? Sure, Hart has a great personality and would sell the University with enthusiasm, but that's about it. Wheatley spent a decade in the league and has a lot more coaching experience. He'd be leaving an NFL job to come here, not EMU. He could not only sell the school, but also himself as a coach.
February 27th, 2013 at 3:52 PM ^
The same reasons that WolvinLA2 said. Defensive line is one of the most technical position groups on the field. I just don't think you can really fake it at that position. I'd rather have a guy who has actually used pass rush moves, leverage, etc. than a converted running back/running backs coach.
February 27th, 2013 at 9:02 PM ^
February 27th, 2013 at 6:01 PM ^
...but I think maybe between them Hoke and Mattison might know a lot of really good D Line coaches. Maybe even a few we haven't heard of. Strange as that may sound.
February 27th, 2013 at 6:37 PM ^
Highly doubtful. Just like we know as much about who Michigan should recruit as the coaches, I'm sure we're at least as dialed in as Hoke and Co. to possible coaching hires.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:13 AM ^
And then Hart can jump right in, although Tyrone Wheatley may have something to say about that (though now that he's in the NFL with the Bills, who knows)
February 27th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^
oh hai guys
February 27th, 2013 at 11:54 AM ^
before you moved down the street. "Future Head Coach at the University of Michigan". I'd start walking now.
February 27th, 2013 at 10:51 AM ^
for coaching acumen to date its Stoops>Hoke; but for "storied program" status Oklahoma definitely is not >/= UM.
February 27th, 2013 at 10:59 AM ^
It's what you have to say when you join a new staff- think about any new Michigan coach and how they speak about our history (FERGODSAKES!!!). I think everyone said the right thing in this situation.
Yes UM>Oklahoma in most peoples opinion- and darn near 100% on this blog- but it's not totaly crazy. Oklahoma has a very storied program- plus, much of Michigan's history tat makes our program so storied isn't remembered by this generation of students grandparents
It's pretty clear it seems liek the move was a good one for him- and I wish him well at Oklahoma- I think everyone handled the situation well ans did and said all the right things.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:20 AM ^
Record set for consecutive victories back in the 50's, Huge success in the 80's, a more recent national title season, a successful program with a sold out huge stadium, a well known rivalry with another big school that most sports fans will take an interest in. I'd say the programs are equivalent in the eyes of most fans.
Michigan has great tradition, but to say it eclipses the tradition of Oklahoma is a bit of a stretch.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:40 AM ^
How was Rabbit21's comment flamebait? He used facts and loogic to make a point. It may not be a point you like or approve of- but it wasn't made maliciously, and it was 100% in context of the situation being described...
February 27th, 2013 at 11:58 AM ^
Besides, he didn't offer the rest of us a beer.
Don't get hung up on up/down clicks. It does not take any effort or sacrifice to click flamebait, but if someone isn't out on a limb, the majority will speak via their clicks.
February 27th, 2013 at 12:37 PM ^
True- likely not worthy of getting upset about. It's frustrating because he made a very good point/arguement- and it would be missed if it not up-voted again to make it visible without clicking.
Silliness and pettiness with downvoting can really take away from a blog though. ITts pretty immature to downvote if you say another school has more tradition/success than Michigan- plus it plays into all the bad stereotypes of Michigan fans...
February 27th, 2013 at 12:58 PM ^
If you change the threshold from 0 to -1 you see all of the comments without clicking. Just an FYI.
February 27th, 2013 at 1:22 PM ^
Thanks!
Granted I would say a majority of commetns that get downvoted are not worth the read- you do get a fair amoutn of quality stuff downvoted for no good reason, and of course a few laugher comments that can be funny...
February 27th, 2013 at 1:35 PM ^
No problem backwards MGOBLOG.
February 27th, 2013 at 4:50 PM ^
I thought he was saying GoLB. I take back all the nice stuff I said.
Speaking of which, do you know you are wearing a walk-on's number? (sorry, couldn't help myself).
February 27th, 2013 at 11:35 AM ^
where you are or where you are from. Don't for a minute think the tradition isn't strong in Norman. I think you would find them saying the same thing relative to Michigan.
February 27th, 2013 at 1:15 PM ^
OK since 1950: 7 national championships: 1950, '55, '56, '74, '75, '85, 2000, plus three additional appearances in the BCS NC game for the 2003, 2004, and 2008 seasons
UM since 1950: 1 national championship in 1997, and no BCS title appearances
OK: 5 Heisman Trophy winners since 1950
UM: 2 since 1950 (3 overall)
OK: 152 All-Americans in program history
UM: 127 All-Americans in program history
I'm not posting these facts to push a view that UM's program is second-rate in comparison to Oklahoma's (our history and tradition speak for themselves) but the notion that all college football fans outside of Ann Arbor—the vast majority of whom were born after 1950—automatically believe that our tradition and achievements are inherently superior to Oklahoma's is just plain dumb.
February 27th, 2013 at 8:00 PM ^
Good post, but you may want to edit your title with a "<=" sign instead.
February 27th, 2013 at 9:27 PM ^
if you leave michigan/great lakes region many people would disagree with you. if you examine the records, bowl victories, national championships, etc. you would see not too much objective advantage for michigan over oklahoma in football.
michigan is respected in big 12 country but usually only the fans of each team put their school on the "storied program status' pedastal.
February 27th, 2013 at 10:51 AM ^
I thought he was responsible for the whole d-line. If that's the case, it's another reason why I could see why he left.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:04 AM ^
Hoke and Mattison took the DTs. This is why people don't think we'll be grabbing a DL coach.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^
February 27th, 2013 at 10:59 AM ^
Roy Manning
February 27th, 2013 at 10:59 AM ^
he just coached DEs? i thought montgomery was a great coach, but our DEs were not a strength.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:01 AM ^
There wasn't a whole lot to work with...
And our weakside ends have been average, but our strongside ends (Van Bergen, Roh) have been excellent.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
It seemed to me that both Van Bergen and Roh grew enormously as players likely due to coaching, whether from Mongomery or the other two.
February 27th, 2013 at 12:02 PM ^
you don't think our weakside ends have been below average?
February 27th, 2013 at 12:58 PM ^
Brennen Beyer has been less than average. Clark, Ojemudia (in limited time), and Roh (in 2011) were about average.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
I'm kind of hoping for another OL coach so that one of Funk and the new coach can take the tackles and the other can take the guards and center. I'd really like to see this happen so that we can get our running game into gear.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:09 AM ^
This bothered me:
...the opportunity to join Coach Stoops and a storied program like the University of Oklahoma was one of them."
Michigan is pretty damn storied, you know? I took it to mean that Michigan wasn't storied, but I suppose that's probably not what he meant. Rubbed me the wrong way this morning for some reason.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
this is what's called "coach speak"...don't worry too much about it. He has a great opportunity to further his career, wish him the best and move on.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
this is what's called "coach speak"...don't worry too much about it. He has a great opportunity to further his career, wish him the best and move on.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
You know, other programs are allowed to be "storied," too. And the guy was just hired by OU, of course he's going to say nice thing about them. Don't be so sensitive. "That guy just said something nice about another school! How dare he shit on Michigan like that!"
People need to stop dissecting PR speak. Moving to OU was clearly a good move for Montgomery, given how UM's coaching staff operates (i.e., Montgomery had to share position coaching with both the DC and the HC). Plus, Stoops has a good reputation for building a coaching tree. Not a bad move at all for him.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^
...Michigan is now a football program whose assistants are good enough to get poached by schools like Oklahoma. Given that Hoke and Mattison are both Dline experts, losing Montgomery may be a blessing in disguise.
February 27th, 2013 at 12:55 PM ^
Would it have made you feel better if he said, "I'm getting a significant pay raise and will now be coaching the entire defensive line instead of only 2 guys?"
February 27th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
montgomery is addressing the fans of his new team not his old team.
February 27th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
I like the idea that Roy Manning could come in and coach on that defensive side of the ball, but I'd really like to see Hart or Wheatley come in and start their Michigan coaching career. I'm just partial to those guys, but I know that we probably need another coach on the defensive side. I'm not sure that Jackson is close enough to the end of his career that we need to bring his replacement on board yet.
Glen Steele would be nice. I'm not sure of his coaching resume.
What about Steve Morrison? I think he's coaching LB's at Syracuse. Does anyone know how he is as a recruiter?
Soup Campbell would always be nice too. It just seems like it would be harder to fit an offensive assistant into the mix at this point.