UofM Coaching Staff & Odds and ends

First I am disappointed in the UofM boards here. So many fans bailed from CBS and ESPN. Not Hoopla's fault but we went from a top 3 posted board to nothing here.

I will throw this out and see if I can get some responses.

Harbaugh has been in contact with assistant coaches and a staff is taking shape.

Durkin has been calling Florida recruits on Harbaugh and UofM's behalf it looks like he may be UofM's new defensive coordinator. Good hire as he had the gators as a top 10 defense this year and was very much in demand. He worked with Harbaugh at Stanford.

USC O-Line Coach Drevano and 49ers WR Coach Morton also seem to be onboard.

Calls have started going out to recruits and some big name kids want to get a visit scheduled to UofM before commitment day to include:

5 star TE Clark
5 star CB Iman Marshall
Cordell Broadus Snoops son

 

I also saw Ty Wheatley may come in as the rb coach meaning Fred Jackson is out after 23 years but its about time. We need some fresh blood to get the running game going again.

Also looks like Mattison will stay on in some capacity, he wants to stay and retire in AA.

 

Freddy Jackson is a recruiting machine, it'd be nice if they made him the recruiting coordinator or kept him around at some capacity until Tyrone or anybody else steps up and shows they can fill his shoes. I can't wait to see how the next five weeks plays out on the recruiting front. Be nice to flip a couple kids and get a couple high profile non-committed kids to jump on board.

 

I heard Durkin was recruiting for Harbaugh in Florida so it makes me wonder what Mattison's position will be?

Mattison has history with the Harbaughs so I think it is a respect thing.

As for Jackson I understand he has been a great recruiter but at some point in time the program will have to move on. Drevno is supposed to be a run game guru and that sure is what the Wolverines need!

Morris? Speight? Bellomy? Malzone? or a guy not on the roster, who starts at QB this season?

I heard Speight was the best QB in practices last year but they kept his redshirt.

 

Durkin is still coaching at Florida right now but is expected to join Harbaugh after their bowl game.

Mattison either takes a role as Co-DC/DLine or LBs coach (probably specializing with the interior positions) or retires. I give it a 70-30 he stays on. Otherwise he retires.

Freddy's services have much appreciated but it's time for him to be put out to pasture.

Morris will be the front runner but I do like Speight's poise and accuracy. Speight could become a real good game manager but has zero game experience at this level. I really wish Bellomy would transfer at this point and free up a scholly. Malzone is a true leader, that may see the field next year if plan A and B falter. I strongly doubt we land a grad transfer but this would be ideal.

Drevno was a great hire. The OLine is already coming around and I expect it to be a top 5 or so line in the B1G next season.

 

Harbaugh may reach out to some guys coaching with UofM ties but it's good to see he is bringing in guys that have pro experience like Morton. I think that on a resume helps recruiting with todays HS players.

 

Vince Marrow (UK) apparently offered TE coach position. He'd be a great recruiter, especially in Ohio.

Speaking of TEs, if we can lure Chris Clark back we'll be sitting pretty with Butt, Bunting and Clark. I'm fairly certain Ty Jr. only shows if his pops is offered a spot as Co-OC/RB coach. I don't feel too strong this will happen. But I think we need some new blood coaching the RBs regardless.

 

Give Jackson a gold watch for his service but then retire him. I have not been impressed with the RBs the last few seasons. As much talent as the Wolverines have recruited on the line and at RB you would think they would have a solid ground game. Maybe it's not his fault but the last 10 years someone has to pay.

 

We should be getting some news and moves in the coming days with coaches and recruits.....Harbaugh is setting up shop....

Wish Funchess would change his mind about going to the NFL and stick around....

 

I like how Harbaugh took less per year so he could put quality talent (asst. coaches) around him, that tells me he's here for a while. Jim is a gamer and has been at all levels of play and coaching. I also think he'll steer his players towards meaningful degrees lest he look the hypocrite after his comment on past UofM student-athletes.

I am salivating like a Pavlov dog in expectation of next season, there was PLENTY of talent on last year's team and he should make a big splash next year based on that alone - let alone the kids he'll draw with his signing.

 

I like Funchess but without a talented QB I think he can't progress any further. I wish him the best but am ok with it.

Harbaugh knows his assistants make or break him. Drevno and Durkin would be two good coordinators. I think Harbaugh even salvages this draft class, with a couple of high star flips.

Hoke recruited talent he just didn't know how to develop it. So it's not as if the cupboard is bare for the new regime.

 

After getting banged up early on Funchess held back, imo. True, he'd be much more successful with receiving threats around him and an accurate/competent QB behind center, but he hung it up long before the season ended. And right now I believe he's looking for a paycheck.

I don't like speaking this way of Funch, because he really is a great kid and an exceptional athlete. I wish him the best at the next level but he really left a ton of production on the field last year. Someone else will now have to motivate and push him to become a better competitor.

 

Really hard to fault any of the players with the shit going on in A2. Brandon and Hoke was a circus and I think everyone knew the ship was sinking.

I like the names I keep hearing for coaches. The guy from Kentucky is a Ohio recruiting specialist and helped Kentucky to the 17th ranked class last year.

I am just waiting to hear about Durkin.

 

Harbaugh at the Baltimore Ravens playoff game last night, supporting his brother.

The guy is slick gets into the press and shows recruits his NFL connections and past.

 

Putting together the football coaching staff has become another circus sideshow. I won't hold my breath for any big news until Harbaugh or the university make(s) a statement.

Chris Clark will take his official visit to U-M on 01/14/14 (UCLA on the 23rd).

 

Harbaugh will be on Mike and Mike tomorrow at 9AM. Perhaps we'll get more insight at that time.

 

After the Coordinators are announced I doubt many others will be that important. Having a few guys with recruiting ties bail sounds bad but I doubt they make that much of a difference.

Clark would be a very good get. I think if Harbaugh can get 3-4 kids to flip and have a class of 10-13 it would be a win.

 

Durkin, Drevano and Morton all have new e-mails at Michigan. That's about as official as we'll get today I would guess. As far as recruiting, I'm sure they'll get a few uncommitted high star guys. they'll probably flip a couple of committed guys. They'll fill out the class with lower star/no star guys that fit what they want to do. I think we have 18 scholarships open now and I can't imagine they don't fill them all.

 

I think Harbaugh would carry a few over to next year and get some guys he has scouted and knows he can develop instead of rolling the dice on a couple of 2 or 3 star kids. Funches, the kid that transferred to WVU make 18 available and they have 6 commits right now I believe.

I figure 2-3 more players bail on regime change.

The QB position is interesting, they have Malzone but not sure if they have anyone from California targeted.

 

If Mora leaves for the Jets we're back in it on a few UCLA commits/recruits.