Greg Jackson
In somewhat disappointing news for Michigan, it was announced yesterday that Michigan safeties coach Greg Jackson would become the new Dallas Cowboys safeties coach. Jackson spent just one year in Ann Arbor after coaching for the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014.
Hit the jump for more on Jackson’s departure.
Chris Partridge (with Jim Harbaugh, Jabrill Peppers, and Ron Johnson)
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Michigan recruiting coordinator Chris Partridge has been named Michigan’s linebacker/special teams coach. After filling in as linebacker coach for Michigan’s bowl preparation (former linebacker coach/defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin left for the Maryland head job), Partridge got the permanent job. He replaces John Baxter, the special teams coach who left for USC after one year in Ann Arbor. Partridge previously spent time coaching defensive line, secondary, and helping with special teams at both Lafayette and The Citadel before returning to the high school ranks.
Meanwhile, new defensive coordinator Don Brown spent the past three seasons coaching linebackers at Boston College. Prior to that, he was coaching cornerbacks. Something may have to give, as Michigan currently has the safeties covered (Greg Jackson), a cornerback coach (Mike Zordich), a linebacker coach (Partridge), and a defensive line coach (Greg Mattison). Perhaps Partridge and Brown will split linebacker duties, with one taking the outside guys and another taking the inside guys. It would be an odd step to replace a full-time special teams coach with a newbie who then has to coach linebackers and special teams. Another option would be to bring in a graduate assistant to help with the linebackers, much like Will Carr (defensive tackles) and Derron Montgomery (wide receivers) have helped Mattison and Jedd Fisch in the past.
This also opens up a spot for a recruiting coordinator. Matt Doherty has a similar role to Partridge’s old spot, and Erik Campbell has been helping out. There have been rumors that Devin Bush, Sr. – currently the coach at Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan and the father of early enrollee Devin Bush, Jr. – could come on board in some capacity. Also, Michigan hired Rick Finotti as a football operations guy out of northern Ohio, and he could also step in. However, Michigan has not focused much of its recruiting efforts in Ohio since Jim Harbaugh was hired, so Finotti’s connections may not pay off as well as Partridge’s have in New Jersey.
John Baxter
Michigan special teams coordinator John Baxter is no longer coaching at Michigan. He has been re-hired at USC, which is where he was before spending one year in Ann Arbor. Michigan took a step forward on special teams this year, doing an excellent job on kickoff returns (#3 in the country with 28.4 yards/return), pinning opponents deep on punts, and covering kickoffs, not to mention thwarting a couple attempted fakes by Florida in the Citrus Bowl. Michigan also forged a pretty decent kicker out of Kenny Allen (80% on field goals, 100% on extra points), who spent the previous three seasons concentrating on punting. There were a few hiccups along the way, though, including the dropped punt snap that lost the Michigan State game, a punt return touchdown allowed against Indiana, and a long return allowed against Rutgers. Michigan was better on special teams, but not great.
It’s unclear how Baxter’s position will be filled. Michigan recruiting coordinator Chris Partridge was on staff temporarily for the Citrus Bowl after defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin left Michigan for the Maryland head coaching job. Durkin tried to take Partridge to Maryland, but he stayed at Michigan after being promised an “increased role.” This may be that increased role. Prior to coaching Jabrill Peppers, Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Rashan Gary, and others at Paramus (NJ) Catholic, Partridge was a position coach and assistant special teams coach at both Lafayette and The Citadel, so he does have some experience with coaching specials. If Partridge were to take on a coaching role, there have been rumors that Devin Bush, Sr. – the father of Michigan early enrollee Devin Bush, Jr. – will leave his head coaching job at Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan to take on a recruiting coordinator role for the Wolverines.
Baxter’s recruiting area was the West Coast. This change should not affect the Wolverines greatly in that area, since Jim Harbaugh, Tim Drevno, Jay Harbaugh, and Greg Jackson have all spent time living and coaching on the Left Coast. Baxter was also in charge of implementing a respected academic program to help athletes stay on track while playing sports, a program he puts in place wherever he goes.
Boston College defensive coordinator Don Brown (right) will hold the same job at Michigan
I will admit that I am not very familiar with Boston College defensive coordinator Don Brown, who will reportedly be named Michigan’s new defensive coordinator. He spent the last three seasons as the Eagles’ coordinator and coached the linebackers. Brown is 60 years old and has spent most of his career at the lower levels of football (Ivy League, Division I-AA, FCS, etc.). He was UMass’s head coach from 2004-2008 before behind defensive coordinator at Maryland (2009-2010), Connecticut (2011-2012), and then Boston College.
Here are some of his numbers from this past season:
2015: #4 in scoring defense, #2 in rush defense, #8 in pass defense, #1 in total defense, #20 in sacks, #1 in tackles for loss, #38 in interceptions, #5 in Defensive FEI, #3 in Defensive S&P+
Hit the jump for more on Brown.
Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer worked with Morgan Trent (#14)
Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin is reportedly heading to Maryland to be their new head coach, where he will replace interim coach Mike Locksley, who replaced Randy Edsall.
Here are some potential replacements for Durkin at Michigan, listed in order of likelihood:
SCOTT SHAFER
Previously: Syracuse head coach (2013-2015)
Pros: Worked with Jim Harbaugh as Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator at Stanford in 2007. Familiar with the tradition and atmosphere at Michigan after working under Rich Rodriguez at Michigan in 2008; also spent two years as Western Michigan defensive coordinator. Twelve years of experience as a defensive coordinator. Head coach experience. Consistently had solid defenses as defensive coordinator for struggling Syracuse program. Available immediately.
Cons: Had bad experience at Michigan when forced to run Rich Rodriguez’s 3-3-5 defense in 2008. If things go poorly early, fans will not forget 2008. Has never fielded elite defenses. No experience coaching linebackers or defensive line, which would be the potential openings. Mostly a 4-3 guy, a departure from Michigan’s current unit.
Hit the jump for more potential defensive coordinators.