Michigan Monday: Michigan Assistant Coaching Rumors and National Championship Night

Let's start with the NC game tonight.  Has anyone seen this game before?  Yes, it's the two best teams in college football and its not even close.   I guess the only issue with tonight's game is that its 2000 miles away from each campus and tickets are going for well below face value.  

I expect a fairly close game tonight as this should be a defensive battle.  The wildcard tonight is a true freshman QB for Clemson, who hasn't faced an Alabama defense yet.  I also hear it has been raining hard for the last few days and the field is really a mess.  Better get those helicopters in there!  Alabama 27 Clemson 21

Michigan has some issues on both sides of the football that need to be fixed.

Defense - can't play zone
Offense - is boring and predictable

The way you fix that is through is coaching and both sides of the ball could use some new blood and a some new voices.

Pep -Is expected to move on but nothing on the radar.   The reason is there are so many NFL openings right now and it's expected that Pep will head to the NFL as a position coach.  Lions had some interest and then they fired Jim Bob.

Don Brown - Is still in play for Temple, which opening is expected to be wrapped up this week.   The coaching convention was last week and the rumor mill was saying that Temple would do a number of interviews there.   The latest name is the Northern Illinois head coach, Rod Carey.   Don going to Temple is not a lock.  Rumor is that other programs are also considering Don as well.   Its strange to think Don would be available for other DC jobs, but it seems that might be the case right now.

Greg Mattison - is considering retirement.  My best guess is that he stays at least one more year, but if Don leaves,it could have an effect here.   Greg's contract is also up this month.    Reports are now are that Greg Mattison is now heading to be Ohio State's DC after Day has fired Greg Schanio.   This seems like a strange move for a number of reason.   1 - OSU just put up 62 on Michigan's defense and Greg's unit got zero pressure.  2- Greg is very close to retirement 3- It's Ohio State.   I know his contract is up at Michigan and I guess he really wants to be a DC.

Al Washington - to Ohio State had a lot of legs the last couple of weeks.  Rumor is that Al was offered but turned it down as it would have been a lateral move.  He also has an opportunity to move up at Michigan if some of the above plays out.   A raise is expected here to keep Al happy.

Ed Warinner - was the best coach on staff last year and helped turn around a dreadful offensive line.  He is also inline for a nice pay raise.

John Bonamego - former CMU head coach was/is temporarily on Jimmy's staff for the Peach Bowl.  Michigan would love to keep him as the Special Teams coach, but they don't have an opening at the moment.   He is probably headed to the NFL as well, once all the dust settles with all the head coaching openings.
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Hello Brandon Johns!

Michigan Basketball took its record to 15-0 last night after a nice 74-63 win over top 25 Indiana.   The "rust" over the last month was gone and Michigan played with intensity from the tip.   With Livers still out with a bad back and Michigan's bigs getting in some foul trouble, East Lansing's own Brandon Johns played 13 minutes and got an 8&8 (8 points and 8 rebounds).   That was his first real playing time of the year and he looked very good on defense and getting some boards.  I expect he will be in the 8 man rotation even when Livers comes back.

The Wolverines were led by strong PG play from Simpson and scoring from Poole and Matthews.   I have a theory that Charles Matthews loves playing on CBS.  He played great in the tournament last year and last night first half might have been his best half at Michigan.   There was a number of NBA scouts at the game and Charles played very well.

Michigan travels to Illinois on Thursday.

• Michigan signed WR commit Cornelius Johnson had two TD's catches in the All American Game All Star game on Saturday.   Dax Hill actually had a couple rough missed tackles but enjoyed himself during the week.  Hilton also had a fumble recovery.  

• Lynn Swann to block Kliff Kingsbury from interviewing with the Jets and the Cardinals is just petty and stupid.   I could see him not allowing other college programs from interviewing him but blocking the NFL is just petty.  

• As expected 5 star QB Justin Fields is transferring to Ohio State.  Tate Martell is probably pretty upset and maybe considering his options.  Haskins is still expected to announce he is entering the NFL Draft but hasn't done it yet.  Justin will apply for a waiver for immediate playing time.  He did have an issue with a Georgia baseball player and that might be the basis for immediate playing time. 

• Michigan Hockey also beat ND in ND Stadium on Saturday.   Having a Michigan win in that building is nice! 

Michigan Weekend: Saturday Scrimmage Updates

Mgoblog had some message board posters attend Michigan's scrimmage on Saturday and came away impressed. Here are some of the highlights that I found valuable:

• Taylor Lewan is making a lot of noise for a starting role at left tackle.
• Devin Gardner is making a push not to red shirt
• The QB race seems wide open, Denard has improved and Tate continues to be an accurate passer but not a dynamic runner.
• The defense and tackling looks much improved.
• Justin Turner has gotten too big for corner. Looking more like a safety or the spinner role.
• Stephen Hopkins is really doing a good job at running back and mostly at the "big" running back role (example is a healthy Minor).

All and all good news. If you had to find bad news, it sounds like Tate has not progressed and Turner isn't looking like the shut down corner that we all hoped he was. Then again it's just the Spring and Spring Buzz doesn't get you anything on Saturday's in the Fall.

Justin Feagin is no longer a Michigan Wolverine

The Michigan Football Team really needs Fall Camp to start. The players need to focus on Academics and Football instead of getting into trouble.

Former QB and back up slot WR Justin Feagin was kicked off the team late last week. "Justin Feagin was dismissed for a violation of team rules Thursday evening," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said in a released statement today.

You can look at this two ways:

1. Justin was a late edition to the 2008 recruiting class and was there to try to compete at QB (hopefully to back up Terrelle Pryor). Justin didn't have the skills to compete at QB and was moved to slot WR this Spring. Take #1: Michigan loses a guy they took a chance at because they needed depth at QB. With Tate, Denard, and Devin coming in the QB spot is locked for many years to come. He didn't have the D1 skills to be a QB and there are/were plenty of talented WR above him on the depth chart. Take #1 analysis: not a big loss and the effects to the team will be zero.


2. What gets you kicked out that quickly? Boubacar gets arrested for mouthing off to a police officer, Kevin Grady gets a DUI with a blood alcohol level off the charts, and WR Darryl Stonum also gets a DUI as a Freshman. The above examples were all disciplined in house and all three are expected to contribute this Fall. Obviously, this is something serious where a second chance wasn't warranted. The message boards have been buzzing about a stealing incident but again this is just a rumor. I'm sure the facts will come out.

So there you have it. Not a big loss and he did something pretty bad. It's cold a stance, isn't it?

When we look at things like this as a serious fan, we always look at the team side of the facts. Well, he wasn't going to play...........No, Biggie. If your a Rich Rod hater you take this approach:..........Wow! He is making an example of the back up. Sure, kick off the team the kid that wasn't going to play. Just another example of RR recruiting the wrong kids!

The real loss is to Mr. Feagin and his family. He losses a Michigan education and being a part of an historic football program. I fully understand that college kids live in the present and all think they are going to the NFL. The facts are, they won't be going to the NFL and need to focus on becoming Engineers, Doctors, Police Officers, etc.

Sure being a part of the Michigan Football team is not a right but a privilege but the real loss is to Justin's future. I don't know if he is a bad kid or not, I just hope he finds a place that will let him play football, pay for his education, so that his "future" can have a second chance.

BTW: The rumor mill is also churning that this might not be the last of the bad news. There maybe more transfers and a couple of kids may also be having some trouble in the classroom. Again, just rumors.

Michigan Football: Rumor Mill

There are 3 real important recruits in the 2009 class for the Michigan Wolverines and two are already enrolled in Ann Arbor; Tate Forcier and "Big" Will Campbell. So who is the third? Justin Turner a 5 star (per Scouts) cornerback/safety and the highest rated recruit out of the state of Ohio.


Justin is important to Michigan in many ways, he is a great athlete and plays a position of need for the Wolverines. Many expected Justin to contribute to the 2009 team as a Nickel or even a starting cornerback.

The rumblings on the street has been that Justin didn't walk with his graduating class and may have had some trouble with his Ohio Exit Exam. Again these are just rumors, but the "Mill" is saying that he took the exam again in June and will know in August if he passed. If he didn't pass (the "Mill" is saying) that he will probably head to prep school, which is not good for the 2009 Wolverines.

Let's hope the above is not true or if it is, that Justin passed his exam or can get a special waiver so he can be in Ann Arbor this August with his teammates. Michigan had a similar situation last year with Marcus Witherspoon, a Linebacker that didn't qualify and is now playing for Rutgers after sitting out the 2008 season.

• The top running back out of the State of Michigan, Austin White plans to announce his college choice next Wednesday, July 15. Along with Michigan, Austin has offers from LSU, MSU, Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois, and others. Austin has family ties to MSU but most expect him to make a decision for the Wolverines.
  


• Kevin Koger, still hungry and ready to play as a Tight End in the Spread: "I caught a couple balls last year," he said this summer. "At West Virginia, they said they didn't have anybody to use. Now they feel like they do." ---"Yes, I played last year, but I didn't prove anything," he said. "We were 3-9 and didn't do anything. I still feel like I need to prove myself." If Kevin has a chance to contribute and I believe he will, he could one of the best tight ends in the Big Ten in 2009.

• Nate Lubick, a power forward that was considering the Michigan Basketball program for the 2010 season, has de-committed to Georgetown and will open up his recruitment. I'm sure Michigan would love to add Lubick to the class but I believe they only have one more spot open. Lubick is a 4 star power forward, he is 6"8 and 227 pounds.

Michigan's QB Situation in 2010

I have been joking on Big House Blog for awhile that all the Forciers belong in Ann Arbor. Jason Forcier was a Wolverine before Ryan "fumbled snaps" Mallett came to town and he quickly took the next train to Jim Harbaughville and quickly found out (after Carr's retirement) that staying in Ann Arbor would have been the best thing. Jason left Stanford this Winter, he has not picked a new school yet. Now Chris Forcier (brother of Jason and Tate) has decided to transfer from UCLA and he was in Ann Arbor last month to watch his brother practice. Is Chris considering playing at Michigan? Does Rich Rod want another Forcier? Would Chris be on Scholarship or Walk-On? Michigan does have an extra scholarship due to the Threet transfer. I would welcome all Forciers back to Ann Arbor, heck even if their Dad has eligibility left, he can come and walk on. BTW: Chris is 6"3 200 lbs.

On the serious side, Michigan could use a QB with some experience and even though Chris wouldn't be eligible until 2010 it would be great to have him on the team for depth purposes. With the expected "Verbal" today from 4 Star QB Devin Gardner, Michigan could have the QB depth they need in 2010. I expect the Michigan coaches would love the luxury of redshirting Gardner in 2010 and Denard Robinson in 2009. I don't expect Denard to redshirt now that Threet has transferred. If Chris did come to Ann Arbor here is look into the QB situation in 2010.

Starter: Tate Forcier, Sophomore

Backup 1A: Denard Robinson, Redshirt Freshman or Sophomore

Backup 1B: Chris Forcier, Transfer Junior (he redshirted during his first year at UCLA which means he couldn't use a redshirt for his transfer year).

Others: Nick Sheridan would be a 5th year senior in 2010. Would Michigan give him his 5th year? It all depends how well he plays in 2009. Devin Gardner can be a superstar QB in RR's system at Michigan, but having the luxury of redshirting in 2010 to learn the system and work on his throwing motion would be the best thing for Devin and the program.

Other News and Notes:

• The A Train: Anthony Thomas will be heading back to Ann Arbor to play in the Alumni Flag Football Game.
  


• Here is what Tate had to say about fellow freshman (early enrollee) Vincent Smith who has been turning heads during Spring Practice: "Vince, whewwwww," freshman quarterback Tate Forcier said before Thursday's practice. "Vince Smith, he can move, he can run. He's out there running like the wind. He makes a lot of guys miss. I think we might be able to use him this year."
  


• John Beilein was on Sportscenter to preview the final 4:

Rumor Mill

• Louisville defensive coordinator Ron English is believed to be Sarkisian's top choice to be the Washington Huskies defensive coordinator. English was Michigan's defensive coordinator from 2006-07 and was a candidate to join USC's staff last year.
• It seems Lou Holtz son and current head coach of East Carolina Skip Holtz is the front-runner for the Syracuse job. Skip coached at UConn before East Carolina. I'm not sure the Syracuse job is better then East Carolina?
• MAC coaches Turner Gill and Brady Hoke both interviewed for the head coaching position at Auburn, but neither are considered a top candidate. Look for Turner Gill to be the next Syracuse coach if Skip, skips out on them.
• Sounds like Ohio State wants another dual threat QB and are actively recruiting Kevin Newsome (former Michigan commit) and Tajh Boyd (a former WVU and Tennessee commit). Look for Tajh to commit to Ohio State but then end up at like Nebraska? :-)
• Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson are rumored to be the top two candidates for the Mississippi State's head coaching vacancy. Update: ESPN is reporting that Mississippi State will hire Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen.

Here we go again..........

The latest rumors out of A2 is that sir Les Miles has a valid offer on the table from Michigan.

Here are some of the details as the rumor mill reports:

• Offer is for $2.5m a year plus incentives
• One sticking point is the assistants money (Les wants more $$ in the pool)
• Also the role that Lloyd will have in the program moving forward
• He has a couple of days to consider it
• Les is concerned about how Michigan, LSU, and himself will look in the media
• What would his status be for the NC game?

The anti-Les people are still pushing Brady Hoke (you have to be freaking kidding me) hard. Also Michigan President, Mary Sue Coleman has gotten personally involved in this search after all the mail she is being flooded with.

So how will this play out? Does Les really have an offer now? Is $2.5m enough? He could make a $1m more a year if he wins the NC from LSU.

This has been a crazy search, every time I think were close, were not. I guess we will know more soon. Or maybe we won't.

If it is true, I hope ESPN doesn't report on anything until Les has signed a contract at Michigan and doing his press conference in Ann Arbor.

Friday Update

So everybody and their brother are talking about Les Miles and whether he is a good fit at Michigan. It's all over ESPN, Radio Talk shows, and Sports Blogs. Is he a fat guy in a little coat or the perfect fit? Some of the more respected members of the media below weigh in on the topic:

• WoJo likes the fit


• Miles agent says Les will talk with Michigan soon


• John Wrangler, former U of M QB and BFF of Les. Says Les is a Michigan Man and perfect for this job.


• Will Bill be at the SEC Championship Game? Maybe?


• Do you have a day to waste and would like to review 3 of the top coaches contracts in the country? Click here to see: Kirk Ferentz of Iowa, Les Miles, and Gary Pinkel of Missouri contracts.


• Here is a Baton Rouge paper's take on LM.
• Update 11:00AM: Internet rumors/reports are saying that Les has told his players he is leaving for Michigan.

So don't expect a lot of news on this topic until Sunday or Monday at the earliest. It seems both parties are going to be running to talk to Les as soon as the clock hits 00:00 on Saturday evening. (I still believe the deal for him to come to Michigan is done) The one thing I'm sure Les understands is, this could be the only time the Michigan job is open during his career. It could be now or never.

The Search Continues...............

The big wheel keeps on turning, Proud Billy (martin) keeps on searching...........

In what I believe is an attempt to keep the current coordinators happy, both are interviewing for the Michigan job. Ron English interviewed yesterday and it's Mike DeBord's turn today. Let me be the first to say that if Mike DeBord were to get the job, that would be the quick death of this program. If you want an ex-CMU coach, go get the one that won there - Brian Kelly. The one that lost there likes to run way too many Zone Running plays on first down.

I was told there would be no math? Your right.
How about a story problem then? Ok!

Why would a Dassault Falcon 20 (a private plane) leave Willow Run Airport at 6 EST on Monday and arrive in Cedar Rapids a little more than an hour later. After about 15 minutes leaving and returning back to Willow Run?

The possible answer? Kirk Ferentz

Update: Mgoblog now reporting Kirk was not on this flight.

Don't you just love coaching searches!


I have been puzzled by something lately. How can a State University try to hire the highest paid employee of another State University without letting everyone and their brother know? How can Houston Nutt resign from Arkansas at 7:30 and know he has the Old Miss job in the bag at 10:00PM?

This is how: Chuck Neinas does it. Chuck is a college head coach middle man. See, Chuck knows everyone in coaching and is hired by AD's that want to gauge interest from high profile head coaches in their job openings.

I will give you an example. If Bill Martin wants to see if Urban Myer is interested at all in coming to Ann Arbor, how would he know? He would call Chuck. See if Bill goes to the Florida AD and then talks to Urban, #1 everyone would know and #2 if Urban wasn't interested then it looks bad for Michigan that they are now looking at their 2nd and 3rd choices.

The process is that Chuck would call Urban and ask him if he is interested in the Michigan gig. If Urban, says "no thanks, I'm happy at Florida". No Blood, No Foul.

See Chuck keeps information tighter then Fort Knox. He doesn't use email or write anything down. Everything is verbal so there isn't a trail. Chuck sometimes doesn't even tell who is client is. So the head coaches love him, because he can get them a better job or a raise at their current school. Chuck charges schools about $30,000 - $40,000 and also does deep background checks as well.

Who knows if Chuck was involved with Houston Nutt, but I find it very interesting that Arkansas offers him a 2 year extension that he turns down knowing he has the Ole Miss job.

So when the Iowa AD says he hasn't been contacted by Michigan. I'm sure he hasn't! But that doesn't mean Chuck hasn't contacted Kirk. AD's with top coaches better keep their house in order and make sure their coaches lose Chuck's cell phone number.

The Captain Update

In the words of Vince Lombardi, "What the hell is going on out there?"

Mgoblog is now reporting rumors that Kirk Ferentz has been offered and accepted. This is considered "a loose" rumor because they are coming off message boards and could easily be faked or just rumors. So it's more likely he has been offered. I haven't seen any local Detroit media pick this up yet. With that said, they were a day late and a dollar short with the Carr retirement news as well.

Sporting News Updates us on Kirk and other coaching vacancies
Black Shoe Diaries likes the choice

Update:

Mike Sherman named Texas AM coach. Boy they didn't waste any time!

12:40: Georgia Tech Fires Chan Gailey

12:50: Jim Carty of the Ann Arbor News questions Kirk's character.

12:55: Michigan did not contact GVSU. One part of the rumor is untrue.

1:30: Even an Iowa TV station doesn't know but thinks Brian has a good blog.

3:30: Another Coach goes down! Houston Nutt after beating the #1 team in the nation will be let go from his duties at Arkansas tonight at a 7:30 News Conference.

3:35 Mlive and The DesMoines Register is reporting that Iowa has not been contacted by Michigan regarding Kirk.

So let's take this report with a grain of salt but at the same time if this does happen what does it mean to the Maize and Blue?

"Damn it Jim, I'm a Doctor not a miracle worker"

Pros to hiring Kirk:

• Good solid coach
• Safe choice
• Ties to Michigan's President
• I think Lloyd likes him
• The NFL has always thought he was "NFL head coach worthy"
• He can start this week!

Con's

• His record this year was 6-6 with losses to Western Michigan, Iowa State, and IU
• Did you see his record this year?
• Looks like Mary Sue Coleman is using Cronyism to hire the coach
• Have they even talked to anyone else? Kelly? Miles?
• He is way too conservative and we are going to get the same damn results we are used to
• Not sure how a 6-6 record gets you the Michigan job?
• If they hire Kirk this wasn't a search it was an inside job all along.

Memo to Bill Martin: Please be smarter then this!

Let's all hope this is just internet rumors. He is a good guy but not what this program needs right now. For goodness sake, OSU hired a nobody out of IAA! How did that work out for them?

Captain Kirk?

What happens if we play Western Michigan?

Brian at mgoblog is reporting a "rumor" with some facts behind it that Michigan has offered it's head coaching job to Kirk Ferentz of Iowa. As you might remember, Iowa got beat by Western Michigan last week.

Why Kirk? Well, Michigan's President Mary Sue Coleman is good friends with Kirk and hired him at Iowa. Kirk is always rumored and has been offered NFL jobs in the past. He is known as a solid coach, but this year was not his best with some bad losses (including Western Michigan and Iowa State). He is also the highest paid coach in the Big Ten and in the top 5 paid coaches nationally. (He made close to $5 million last year!)

Brian believes that "the Captain" will most likely turn down the offer in his loyalty to Iowa and that Michigan will never confirm it was offered.

Brian also breaks a "rumor" that the Grand Valley State's AD has been contacted by two programs doing research on Brian Kelly. Those two schools are Michigan and Norte Dame.

My thoughts:

Kirk is a safe pick for Michigan. He is a solid coach and would continue right where Lloyd left off. I think he is a good man and a good fit for Michigan. With that said, I don't think he is the right fit, right now. The reason being, at Michigan we want things that Lloyd brought to the program including; loyalty, pride, character and always putting Michigan first. I agree with all that, but we also need a good guy that will bring some new ideas and a fresh approach to game strategy. I don't believe Kirk would do that. I believe we would see a lot of the same conservative approach that we all have gotten used to. There has to be a candidate that can bring the Michigan philosophy along with a fresh new approach. Kirk's 6-6 record this year and poor recruiting doesn't bring the change Michigan needs.

If he was hired: I would support it, but not my first choice.

If Mike Debord is hired: I will jump off a bridge.

This also means, Les Miles is not Michigan's #1 candidate.

Glad Michigan is looking at Brian Kelly. Interesting that Norte Dame is as well.

Goodtime Charlie might be on the way out?

Also: There are now a number of jobs available out there and Michigan can not wait to get their top guy. Nebraska and Texas AM are good jobs that some people will jump at. For example, Bo Pelini the DC at LSU might be a candidate for Nebraska and a candidate for LSU if Les left.