Former Michigan offensive line coach Greg Frey
FORMER PLAYERS
CB Blake Countess, Auburn: Countess made 7 tackles in a 20-13 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs.
TE/DE Keith Heitzman, Ohio: Heitzman had 1 catch for 2 yards in a 27-0 win over Kent State.
LB Kaleb Ringer, Georgia State: Ringer made 9 tackles in a 41-19 win over Texas State.
Hit the jump for updates on former coaches and commits.
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| Scot Loeffler is the new offensive coordinator for the Auburn Tigers |
Taking a look into the past, here’s a glance at every former Michigan coach over the past decade. Most of these guys have landed on their feet elsewhere, with the exception of former defensive coordinator Greg Robinson.
If you have additions or corrections, please leave them in the comments section.
Teryl Austin (DBs, 1999-2002): Austin has spent his time since his Michigan days with the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and Florida Gators. He was hired as the secondary coach for the Baltimore Ravens prior to the 2011 season and still holds that job.
Vance Bedford (DBs, 1995-98, 2007): Bedford spent 2008-09 as Florida’s cornerbacks coach before becoming defensive coordinator at Louisville in 2010, a job he still holds.
Adam Braithwaite (Safeties, 2010): Braithwaite was the defensive coordinator for Christopher Newport University, a D-III school, in 2011. He was hired prior to this coming season to be the safeties coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Erik Campbell (WRs, 1995-2007; Asst. HC, 2005-07): Campbell was hired to be Iowa’s wide receivers coach prior to the 2008 season, a position he has held since that time. He also spent 2008-09 coaching the tight ends.
Mike DeBord (Various positions including OC, OL, TEs, and Asst. HC, 1992-1999, 2004-07): DeBord was hired as an assistant OL coach for the Seattle Seahawks in 2008 and coached the TEs there in 2009. He spent 2010 and 2011 as the TEs coaches for the Chicago Bears, a position he still holds.
Tony Dews (WRs, 2008-10): Dews spent the 2011 season coaching TEs and being the recruiting coordinator for Pitt. He was hired prior to this coming season by Rich Rodriguez to be the WRs coach at Arizona.
Ron English (DBs, 2003-07; DC, 05-07): English spent 2008 as the DC for Louisville before becoming the HC at Eastern Michigan, a position he still holds.
Greg Frey (OL, 2008-10): Frey was hired as OL coach at Indiana prior to the 2011 season, a position he still holds.
Tony Gibson (DBs, 2008-10; Asst. HC 2010): Gibson was hired as the DBs coach at Pitt prior to the 2011 season, but left to become Rich Rodriguez’s DBs coach at Arizona prior to the upcoming season.
Jim Herrmann (DC, 1997-2005): Herrmann was the LBs coach for the New York Jets from 2006-2008, then was hired to be the New York Giants LBs coach in 2009, a position he still holds.
Jay Hopson (LBs, 2008-09): Hopson was hired to be the safeties coach and DC at Memphis in 2010, but resigned after the first two games of the 2011 season after being demoted. He was hired prior to the upcoming season to be the HC at Alcorn State (known best for producing former NFL quarterback Steve McNair). Hopson is the first white head coach in the history of the SWAC.
Ron Lee (DBs, 2006): Lee was hired by the Minnesota Gophers to be the DBs coach from 2007-10, where he also served as co-defensive coordinator from 2009-10. I can’t find any info on where he might be coaching now.
Scot Loeffler (QBs, 2002-07): Loeffler, a former Michigan QB, spent 2008 as the QBs coach for the Detroit Lions. He then spent 2009-10 as the QBs coach at Florida, 2011 as the OC/QBs coach at Temple, and was hired prior to the upcoming season to be the OC/QBs coach at Auburn.
Calvin Magee (OC, 2008-10): Magee spent the 2011 as Asst. HC, RBs coach, and co-OC at Pitt. He was hired by Rich Rodriguez to the same role at Arizona for the upcoming season.
Terry Malone (OL, 1997-2005; OC 2002-05): Malone has been the TEs coach for the New Orleans Saints since 2006.
Andy Moeller (OL, 2000-07): Moeller was the assistant OL coach for the Baltimore Ravens from 2008-10, and was promoted to be the OL coach in 2011, a position he still holds.
Greg Robinson (DC, 2009-10): Robinson appears to have retired from coaching after leaving Michigan.
Rich Rodriguez (HC, 2008-10): Rodriguez spent the 2011 season as a college football analyst for CBS Sports before being hired as Arizona’s HC prior to the upcoming season.
Scott Shafer (DC, 2008): Shafer was hired to be the DC at Syracuse prior to the 2009 season, a position he still holds.
Bill Sheridan (LBs, 2002; DL, 2003-04): Sheridan spent the 2005-08 season as LBs coach for the New York Giants before spending one year as DC in 2009. For the past two seasons, he was the LBs coach for the Miami Dolphins. He was hired prior to the upcoming season to be the DC for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Rod Smith (QBs, 2008-10): Smith spent the 2011 season as the QBs coach and co-OC at Indiana. He was hired prior to the upcoming season by Rich Rodriguez to the same position at Arizona.
Steve Stripling (DL, 2005-07): Stripling spent a year out of college coaching before being hired as Central Michigan’s DEs coach for 2009. Prior to the 2010 season, he was hired to be Cincinnati’s Asst. HC and DL coach. Prior to the upcoming season, he also added the title of co-defensive coordinator.
Steve Szabo (LBs, 2006-07): Szabo spent as year as the DC/LBs coach at Colgate in 2008, then a year as Asst. HC and LBs coach at Eastern Michigan in 2009. He took 2010 off from coaching before being hired as Illinois State’s DC/LBs coach prior to the 2011 season, a position he still holds.
Bruce Tall (DL, 2008-10): Tall has not actively been coaching since being let go by Michigan, but he has been hired as the DC for the fledgling college football program from Charlotte, which begins play on August 31, 2013.
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| Former safeties coach Adam Braithwaite arguably had the most success of any former Rodriguez staffer in 2011, as his Christopher Newport team almost finished in the top third of D-III defenses and the team went 8-3. (image via Daily Press) |
Former head coach Rich Rodriguez spent the 2011 season as an NCAA football analyst for CBS Sports.
Former offensive coordinator Calvin Magee spent the 2011 season as the offensive coordinator at Pitt. The Panthers finished the regular season #68 in rushing offense (151 yards per game), #75 in passing offense (211 yards per game), #83 in total offense (362 yards per game), and #69 in scoring offense (25.75 points per game). They also allowed more sacks than any other team with 4.75 per game. Magee has been hired to re-join Rodriguez at Arizona and coordinate the offense.
Former defensive coordinator Scott Shafer (’08) has spent the last few seasons at Syracuse. In 2011 the Orangemen finished #32 in rushing defense, #98 in passing defense, #64 in total defense, and #74 in scoring defense.
Former defensive coordinator Greg Robinson (’09-’10) spent the 2011 season away from football.
Former quarterbacks coach Rod Smith (’08-’10) spent the 2011 season as the quarterbacks coach at Indiana. The Hoosiers went 1-11 with a victory over South Carolina State. True freshman Tre Roberson finished the season at 81-for-142 passing for 937 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also ran the ball 109 times for 426 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore Edward Wright-Backer finished the year at 91-for-153 passing for 1,029 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. He ran the ball 46 times for 68 yards and 0 touchdowns. Overall, the Hoosiers had the #80 passing offense, the #85 total offense, and the #101 scoring offense (21.4 points per game).
Running backs coach Fred Jackson (’08-’10) spent the 2011 season at Michigan, turning Fitzgerald Toussaint into an awesome running back.
Former wide receivers coach Tony Dews (’08-’10) spent the 2011 season as the tight ends coach at Pitt. Starter Hubie Graham finished the year with 27 catches for 307 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dews has been hired to re-join Rodriguez at Arizona as the wide receivers coach.
Former offensive line coach Greg Frey (’08-’10) spent the 2011 season as the offensive line coach at Indiana. The Hoosiers finished #58 in rushing (161 yards per game) and #95 in sacks allowed (2.58 per game).
Former defensive line coach Bruce Tall (’08-’10) was hired as the defensive coordinator at Charlotte, a fledgling football program that won’t begin playing until 2013.
Former linebackers coach Jay Hopson (’08-’09) spent 2010 and the first part of 2011 at Memphis. However, he resigned at Memphis after the first two games of the season, when he gave up 59 and 47 points to Mississippi State and Arkansas State, respectively. His current job situation is unknown.
Former secondary coach Tony Gibson (’08-’10) spent the 2011 season as the secondary coach at Pitt. The Panthers finished #71 in the country in pass defense (233 yards per game) and his defensive backs made just 4 total interceptions. Gibson has been hired to re-join Rodriguez at Arizona as the Wildcats’ secondary coach.
Former safeties coach Adam Braithwaite (’10) spent the 2011 season as the defensive coordinator at Christopher Newport, a Division III program. CNU finished #85 in rushing defense, #94 in pass defense, #83 in total defense, and #116 in scoring defense while going 8-3 on the year. There are 238 teams in Division III.
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| Running backs coach Fred Jackson was the only coach to survive the Rich Rodriguez tenure. (Ann Arbor.com) |
Adam Braithwaite (Safeties coach, 2010)
Braithwaite was fired along with the rest of the defensive staff in January. He was recently hired by Christopher Newport University to be the team’s defensive coordinator.
Tony Dews (Wide receivers coach, 2008-2010)
Dews was hired by new coach Todd Graham at Pitt shortly after the staff was fired from Michigan. He will be the Panthers tight ends coach.
Greg Frey (Offensive line coach, 2008-2010)
Frey was hired by new coach Kevin Wilson at Indiana shortly after the staff was fired from Michigan. He will be the Hoosiers offensive line coach.
Tony Gibson (Defensive backs coach, 2008-2010)
Gibson was hired by new coach Todd Graham at Pitt shortly after the staff was fired from Michigan. He will be the Panthers cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator.
Jay Hopson (Linebackers coach, 2008-2009)
Hopson was hired by Memphis prior to the 2010 season to be the defensive coordinator and safeties coach. The Tigers were #116 in total defense and #110 in scoring defense prior to Hopson’s arrival. Memphis finished 2010 with the #115 squad in total defense (460.67 yards/game) and the #117 scoring defense (39.83 points/game).
Calvin Magee (Offensive coordinator/tight ends coach, 2008-2010)
Magee was hired by new coach Todd Graham at Pitt shortly after the staff was fired from Michigan. He will be the Panthers co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach.
Greg Robinson (Defensive coordinator, 2009-2010)
Robinson’s current whereabouts are unknown. Rumor has it that he’s been auditioning for Just for Men commercials.
Scott Shafer (Defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach, 2008)
Shafer was fired after the 2008 season. He was then hired by Syracuse to be its defensive coordinator. Syracuse had been #101 in both total defense and scoring defense prior to Shafer’s arrival, but they improved to #37 in total defense and #81 in scoring defense by 2009. Syracuse finished 2010 at #7 in total defense (301.46 yards/game) and #17 in scoring defense (19.31 points/game).
Rod Smith (Quarterbacks coach, 2008-2010)
Smith was hired by new coach Kevin Wilson at Indiana shortly after the staff was fired from Michigan. He will be the Hoosiers quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Bruce Tall (Defensive line coach, 2008-2010)
Tall was hired by Charlotte to be the program’s first defensive coordinator.
Being fairly new to paying attention to recruiting, what can you tell me about the correlation between football rich recruiting areas and the connections of Michigan assistant coaches and scouts? It seems obvious someone on the staff knows Florida.
Bobo from Punxsutawney, PA
Coaches are assigned specific recruiting areas, especially talent-rich states. For example, Tony Gibson is a born-and-bred West Virginian, which is in close proximity to Pennsylvania and Ohio. Therefore, Gibson’s recruiting base centers in those three states. It’s important for coaches to make personal connections with high school coaches, staff, and kids, so typically a coach will maintain the same recruiting area from year to year, even when they change jobs, if possible. If a Big Ten coach who recruits Illinois gets hired in the SEC, his most fruitful recruiting ground could very well be Illinois. But there’s no need to heavily recruit the state of Utah, for example, so a coach who’s assigned to California would likely handle any stray talents who find themselves lost in the middle of the Beehive State.
If you visit Mgoblue.com’s coaches page, you can find biographical information for each coach. Michigan’s ace Florida recruiter, quarterbacks coach Rod Smith, is from West Virginia, but he spent six years coaching at South Florida. The go-to guy for Texas and Louisiana recruits, running backs coach Fred Jackson, was born in Baton Rouge, LA, and attended Jackson State. Bruce Tall is a native Ohioan. The coaches are from various places and have coached at myriad institutions, but it’s a pretty good assumption that they tend to recruit near their hometowns or where they’ve spent considerable time. For example, it’s a little bit odd that Greg Frey recruits Illinois, since he’s from Florida, played at Florida State, and coached at places like South Florida and West Virginia; he must have drawn the short end of the stick, and it may not be a coincidence that no Illinois players have committed to Michigan since Frey’s arrival.
Below is my best effort – okay, maybe not my best effort, but I don’t get paid for this – to define assigned geographic recruiting areas. (The state of Michigan is recruited by almost all the coaches.)
Bruce Tall
Tony Dews
Tony Gibson
Greg Frey
Fred Jackson
Rod Smith 
The map is a very general outline of the coaches’ recruiting areas and should not be taken as gospel. For example, several coaches recruit in Florida and, as mentioned above, Tony Gibson recruits some in Ohio. It would be impossible to create a map that specifically defines each coach’s recruiting area, in part because sometimes personalities or positions are matched with recruits. For example, Florida juggernaut Rod Smith was the main recruiter for quarterback Tate Forcier, who hails from Whale’s Vagina, California.