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Tag: Jim Harbaugh


14Jan 2015
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Jay Harbaugh, Wolverine

Jay Harbaugh (right) with his dad, Jim

Jay Harbaugh, the eldest son of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, has been hired as Michigan’s tight ends coach. He replaces Dan Ferrigno, who was at Michigan from 2011-2014 and also served as the Wolverines’ special teams coach.

Jay was a high school defensive lineman, but knee injuries shortened his career. He attended Oregon State and joined their undergraduate assistant coaching program under Mike Riley. He has been an offensive quality control assistant for the Baltimore Ravens for the past three seasons, obviously working for his uncle John, the Ravens’ head coach. It’s unclear at this point how much Jay had to do with the tight ends themselves, but the Ravens have had some decent players at the position in the form of Dallas Clark, Owen Daniels, Dennis Pitta, and Ed Dickson.

There’s a pretty good article on Jay (LINK) that indicates the apple has not fallen far from the tree as far as work ethic goes. Father Jim is known for his competitiveness and work ethic, and the article mentions that Jay is much the same.

Michigan could have made a more impressive hire than getting a 25-year-old kid with no actual coaching job on his resume. At the same time, I’m not inclined to believe that a competitive guy like Jim Harbaugh is going to give his son a job that isn’t deserved. It’s not like the kid was sitting on his butt or working in a grocery store. He had a pretty solid job with an NFL team, albeit with another member of the family. But there are worse places to learn (such as Oakland) than Oregon State and with the Ravens, who won the Super Bowl a couple years ago. On top of his NFL experience, Michigan has hired a special teams coach, John Baxter, who has extensive experience as a tight ends coach. If there are struggles or questions, Baxter – and Jim Harbaugh himself – could give him some advice. With the very impressive group of coaches Jim has put together in Ann Arbor, I’ll be interested to see how this “gamble” works out for the Wolverines. He has some good pieces to work with in Jake Butt, Khalid Hill, and Ian Bunting, along with some potential incoming players like Chris Clark and Tyrone Wheatley, Jr.

7Jan 2015
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Michigan Assistant Coach Rumors (January 7)

Jim Harbaugh (left), Tyrone Wheatley (right), and some guy (middle)

Here are some updated rumors and speculation about the open coaching positions on Michigan’s staff.

1. Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach/Quarterbacks: Signed, sealed, and delivered (LINK). Next.

2. Tim Drevno, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive line: Drevno, the USC offensive line coach and run game coordinator, is coming to Michigan (LINK). He might be doing the whole line by himself, although he will probably get some help from a graduate assistant.
Other possibility: Andy Moeller or Todd Washington (offensive line)

3. Running backs: Former Buffalo Bills running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley flew into town last night and went to dinner with Harbaugh at Red Robin. He was supposed to interview for the running backs job yesterday, but his late arrival postponed the interview to today. No contract is done yet, but it would be quite a surprise if Wheatley didn’t get the job.
Other possibilities: Fred Jackson, Roy Manning

4. Wide receivers: Rumors appeared on New Year’s Eve that John Morton was expected to join Michigan’s staff, although there has been nothing confirmed yet. No, this isn’t the former Detroit Lions wide receiver, but San Francisco 49ers wide receiver coach Morton is out of a job. Morton grew up in Michigan and played wide receiver at Western Michigan, so he’s a midwest guy and would presumably have some connections in the area. San Francisco’s wide receivers weren’t spectacular, but he has worked with some pretty big names in Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree.
Other possibilities: Erik Campbell, Ronald Curry, Jeff Hecklinski

5. Tight ends: Vince Marrow decided to stay at Kentucky, and it’s been reported that Michigan has offered a job to San Jose State University offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jimmie Dougherty. Dougherty worked for Harbaugh at San Diego, and he also has experience coaching wide receivers and tight ends. Since it seems like Morton will be coaching the wideouts, Dougherty might find himself coaching tight ends. He may also get a “passing game coordinator” title, pairing with Drevno.
Other possibility: Kevin Koger

6. Defensive coordinator: Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin is now Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin (LINK), and he has already started using his connections in the south to send out a couple offers (LINK).

7. Defensive line: Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison will be a holdover from the previous staff to this one. Mattison has family in the area, loves the University of Michigan, is a pretty good coach with NFL experience, and is a great recruiter. He also has connections to Harbaugh and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. It’s unclear which role Mattison will have, whether it’s working with the defensive line or linebackers.
Other possibilities: D.J. Durkin, Roy Manning

8. Linebackers: Michigan cornerbacks coach Roy Manning has been heavily rumored to be staying around on staff, and it was reported that he already interviewed for a job. Whether he gets that job or not remains to be seen, but it seems to make sense that he would work with the linebackers, a position he has previously coached. The cornerback thing didn’t go so well last year, but he has been perhaps Michigan’s best recruiter.
Other possibility: Peter Hansen, Greg Mattison

9. Defensive backs: San Francisco 49ers defensive backs coach Greg Jackson reportedly contacted Louisiana defensive end Jalen Bates, a guy with a Michigan offer who committed to Arizona State. Bates’s cousin is former Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton. Unless this is like Vince Marrow contacting Chris Clark for no reason at all, it looks like Jackson will be coaching some/all of the defensive backs. Meanwhile, Michigan safeties coach Curt Mallory has been hired at Wyoming (LINK), so he’s not going to return.
Other possibility: Roy Manning

10. Special teams: Sam Webb tweeted out that Michigan would probably be getting a guy dedicated to special teams only. That guy could very well be Florida special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler (LINK), who worked with Durkin last year and coached outside linebackers at New Mexico for a couple seasons before that. Michigan may find themselves splitting the defense up oddly, with a couple guys combining on the DL and a couple more combining on the LB spots. Personally, I don’t believe it’s wise to have someone who’s only devoted to special teams; if that happens, the special teams had better be awesome.
Other possibility: ???

11. Strength and conditioning: Stanford strength and conditioning coordinator Shannon Turley apparently agreed to come to Michigan and then rescinded. The next most likely option seems to be Kevin Tolbert, who had been Harbaugh’s strength and conditioning coach with the 49ers and for a couple years at Stanford. Tolbert is a Navy grad and former football player, and he also spent eight years working under Mike Gittleson, Michigan’s former S&C coach prior to Rich Rodriguez’s hiring.
Other possibility: ???

7Jan 2015
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All-Harbaugh Team: Stanford offense, kickers

Andrew Luck was Harbaugh’s headliner at Stanford

Jim Harbaugh was the head coach at Stanford from 2007-2010, and that stint culminated with a 12-1 season. He produced several top-notch football players during that time, several of whom arrived when Stanford was still struggling as a program pre-Harbaugh. Here is a look at the best seasons from each position during those four years, regardless of whether Harbaugh or his predecessor recruited them.

QB: Andrew Luck, 2010
Luck – who would eventually be the #1 draft pick – completed 70.7% of his passes for 3,332 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, and he was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year. He also ran 55 times for 453 yards (8.2 yards/carry) and 3 touchdowns.

Hit the jump for the rest of the offensive players, a punter, and a placekicker.

RB: Toby Gerhart, 2009
Workhorse running back Gerhart won the Doak Walker Award for his performance. He carried the ball 343 times for 1,871 yards and 28 touchdowns, plus he had 11 catches for 157 yards and an 18-yard touchdown pass to boot. He was a 2nd round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2010.

FB: Owen Marecic, 2010
You might remember that Marecic wasn’t just a fullback – he doubled as an inside linebacker for the Cardinal. I remember watching the game against Notre Dame in which he scored a rushing touchdown, and 13 seconds later, he returned an interception for a touchdown. He ran 23 times for 46 yards and 5 touchdowns, and he caught 9 passes for 75 yards. On defense he made 51 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions (returned for 39 yards and 1 touchdown), 5 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles. He was named First Team All-Pac 10 as a running back, Honorable Mention All-Pac 10 on defense, and Paul Hornung Award winner for being the best all-around football player in college football.

WR: Ryan Whalen, 2009
When Luck was a redshirt freshman, Whalen caught 57 passes for 926 yards (16.3 yards/catch) and 4 touchdowns. He was a 6th round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011, but he hasn’t made an impact in the NFL.

WR: Doug Baldwin, 2010
Baldwin caught 58 passes for 857 yards and 9 touchdowns during Luck’s penultimate college season. He went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, but he latched onto the Seattle Seahawks and has been a valuable receiver with 1,932 yards and 12 touchdowns in his three professional years.

TE: Coby Fleener, 2010
Fleener – along with Konrad Reuland and Zach Ertz – was part of a dangerous group of tight ends in 2010. Fleener led the pack with 28 catches for 434 yards and 7 touchdowns. He became a 2nd round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, where he has reunited with Luck. He has 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns in three seasons.

OT: Chris Marinelli, 2009
Marinelli moved from right tackle to left tackle prior to the 2009 season, and he helped pave the way for Stanford’s school record-setting season in rushing. Marinelli was a First Team All-Pac 10 choice but went undrafted and was out of the NFL by 2011.

OG: David DeCastro, 2010
As a redshirt sophomore that year, DeCastro started all thirteen games and was named First Team All-Pac 10. He would go on to become a unanimous All-American in 2011 and a 1st round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012.

C:
 Chase Beeler, 2010
Beeler was a consensus All-American in 2010 but lost out in the race for the Rimington Trophy.

OG: Alex Fletcher, 2007
Fletcher was Second Team All-Pac 10 as a guard in 2007, and then he was Second Team All-Pac 10 as a center in 2008. I’ll use his 2007 season, since I need a guard to fill out the list and Beeler is the obvious choice for center on this team.

OT: Jonathan Martin, 2010
Martin was a redshirt sophomore in 2010 and was the starter at left tackle, earning First Team All-Pac 10 honors. He would go on to become a 2nd round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2012, but he is probably best known for the bullying controversy involving pro teammate Richie Incognito.

P: Jay Ottovegio, 2007
Ottovegio averaged 41.2 yards/punt and was named Second Team All-Pac 10.

K: Nate Whitaker, 2010
Whitaker was the First Team All-Pac 10 kicker when he made 17/19 field goals (89.5%) and 61/66 extra points. The latter is actually not very good, but hey, he was best in the conference, I guess.

5Jan 2015
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Michigan Assistant Coach Rumors (January 5)

D.J. Durkin could be the next domino to fall in Michigan’s assistant coaching search.

Here are some updated rumors and speculation about the open coaching positions on Michigan’s staff.

1. Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach/Quarterbacks: Signed, sealed, and delivered (LINK). Next.

2. Tim Drevno, Offensive Coordinator: Drevno, the USC offensive line coach and run game coordinator, is coming to Michigan (LINK).

3. Running backs: Buffalo Bills running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley followed head coach Doug Marrone from Syracuse to Buffalo, and now Marrone has opted out of his contract for 2015. That likely means Wheatley is at least temporarily out of a job. Marrone is expected to interview for other NFL head coaching jobs, so Wheatley could follow him if Marrone gets a head job elsewhere. Wheatley wants to move up the ladder, but I would not expect Drevno and Wheatley to split offensive coordinator duties. The hiring of Drevno seems to dim the hopes of getting Wheatley to coach running backs, but the rumors have been persistent here; also, it would improve Michigan’s chances of landing 2015 tight end/defensive end Tyrone Wheatley, Jr.
Other possibilities: Fred Jackson, Roy Manning

4. Wide receivers: Rumors appeared on New Year’s Eve that John Morton was expected to join Michigan’s staff, although there has been nothing confirmed yet. No, this isn’t the former Detroit Lions wide receiver, but San Francisco 49ers wide receiver coach Morton is out of a job. Morton grew up in Michigan and played wide receiver at Western Michigan, so he’s a midwest guy and would presumably have some connections in the area. San Francisco’s wide receivers weren’t spectacular, but he has worked with some pretty big names in Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree.
Other possibilities: Erik Campbell, Ronald Curry, Jeff Hecklinski

5. Tight ends: Kentucky tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow has reportedly turned down Michigan’s offer, but he did an odd thing in the meantime – he called 2015 tight end recruit Chris Clark and told him that he could get him to the NFL, that he wanted to coach him, etc. Since Kentucky has no shot at getting Clark, Marrow – who did not mention a school – appeared to have been recruiting on behalf of Michigan. I’m leaving Marrow here, despite reports to the contrary. Also, there aren’t a lot of obvious options at this point.
Other possibility: Kevin Koger

6. Offensive line: Nebraska hired Harbaugh’s offensive line coach from San Francisco, Reggie Davis, so maybe Harbaugh didn’t plan to bring him to Ann Arbor, anyway. Now it would seem that Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Andy Moeller would be a strong possibility. Moeller was an assistant at Michigan under Lloyd Carr, played at Michigan, and is the son of former Michigan head coach Gary Moeller. Unfortunately, Andy has a history of run-ins with the law involving alcohol, so he’s not a perfect choice.
Other possibility: Todd Washington

7. Defensive coordinator: Florida defensive coordinator and interim head coach D.J. Durkin has been a popular name floating around for the past few weeks. He worked with Harbaugh at Stanford and has experience working with special teams, defensive ends, and linebackers, so he could help out in any of those areas. Brian at MGoBlog says this is a lock to happen as soon as Florida’s bowl game is done this afternoon (LINK). Stanford defensive coordinator Lance Anderson reportedly turned down Michigan’s overtures, which is not surprising.
Other possibility: Greg Mattison

8. Defensive line: Oklahoma defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery has been suggested as a possibility. Montgomery, of course, was at Michigan for the first couple years of Brady Hoke’s tenure and then left for a bigger paycheck in Norman. Montgomery was only ever in charge of part of the defensive line at Michigan, so the only real reasons to move back would be another pay raise and/or control over the whole position group.
Other possibilities: D.J. Durkin, Roy Manning, Greg Mattison

9. Linebackers: Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison might be a holdover from the previous staff to this one. Mattison has family in the area, loves the University of Michigan, is a pretty good coach with NFL experience, and is a great recruiter. He also has connections to Harbaugh and potential defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. Brian at MGoBlog says this is a lock, although Mattison can also coach defensive line (LINK).
Other possibility: Lance Anderson, Peter Hansen, Roy Manning

10. Defensive backs: San Francisco 49ers defensive backs coach Greg Jackson will be looking for a job. He is from Florida and played college football at LSU, so his potential connections in Florida and SEC country could help Michigan’s recruiting efforts in difficult locations.
Other possibility: Curt Mallory, Roy Manning

11. Strength and conditioning: Stanford strength and conditioning coordinator Shannon Turley apparently agreed to come to Michigan and then rescinded. The next most likely option seems to be Kevin Tolbert, who had been Harbaugh’s strength and conditioning coach with the 49ers and for a couple years at Stanford. Tolbert is a Navy grad and former football player, and he also spent eight years working under Mike Gittleson, Michigan’s former S&C coach prior to Rich Rodriguez’s hiring.
Other possibility: ???