New DC??? Thoughts....

[tpilews]

I'm a little worried that a DC has not been announced yet. I figured when we heard SS was stepping down, that we'd hear about a new hire within a few days, if not the next day. Obviously, that hasn't happened.

Things I've been reading have said that RR is probably waiting until the end of the bowl season to announce. I understand that if the person is a head coach, but for the DC I do not. Announce the guy, but let him coach his current team. I don't think anyone would have a problem with that. Is Florida's OC going to be at the NC game?

I just think, at this point, that not already announcing appears as instability. I feel like they haven't announced because they are having a tough time finding one. That could mean that RR is looking for only top guys that are in good situations, and will be tough draws. That situation I wouldn't mind waiting for. But, I feel like this is turning into a "who is UM going to settle for". Which sucks.

I'm not panicking and believe we'll be just fine. I just wish we could hear some news about this hire. If you can grab a big name out there, the new DC might be able to pick up some other recruits that originally had no interest in UM. if they wait to long, well, it'll be too late. I'm just excited to hear about the new direction of the UM defense. It's been some time since our D has been sick. I love watching a great defense dominate just as much as a dominate offense.

Your thoughts???

[rickyleach]

what about corwin brown, just a thought , nd has john tunutatoo..

[tpilews]

I don't really have any preference for an actual DC, I just want them to have a history of great defenses. Guys like Chuck Martin from GVSU. I'd be fine with getting a young coach that is on the rise. Those guys are motivated and seem to be the ones that make a real difference.

One thing I didn't like about Shafer was that he was up in the press box during games. I want a DC down on the field, motivating his players. I like to see a DC get fired up on the sideline.

[Rockie]

Everything I read on premium baords say the job has been offered to Hopson and we will know by Jan. 5th if he has excepted. He wants the job, but his family wants to go back to the south. So will see what happens

[rickyleach]

rockie who is hopson..

[Rockie]

http://www.mgoblue.com/football/coachbio.aspx?id=105294

[pryorthrowslikeagirl]

I agree with a DC that stays on the field, as for who I want Im not really educated enough on DCs to say, I dont think we need a big name just someone that has had more than just one season of success, and not someone who has been all over place like shafer was.

[Bossgobbler23]

If RR has indeed offered and/or hired someone currently playing in a bowl game, I can see that particular coach not wanting an announcement until after. Some universites want them to coach the bowl game, others figure they now belong to someone else and do not want them. Either way it can be sometimes a distraction from the bowl game if it is a big name. I hope we do not hire from within on this one. Our defense ranked 10th in the Big Ten last year. We need a solid and proven DC, not one that is new and learning the position.

[Rockie]

If RR has indeed offered and/or hired someone currently playing in a bowl game, I can see that particular coach not wanting an announcement until after. Some universites want them to coach the bowl game, others figure they now belong to someone else and do not want them. Either way it can be sometimes a distraction from the bowl game if it is a big name. I hope we do not hire from within on this one. Our defense ranked 10th in the Big Ten last year. We need a solid and proven DC, not one that is new and learning the position.

The job has been offered to Hopson, the LB Coach

[Buzz]

As long as Michigan has put together a real solid evaluation process for the DC search, the name isn't important. So I hope they used (are using) some kind of system during the search process.

I will say that if Hopson is given the DC position then I don't think Michigan has used much of a system at all. It will be a bad decision to hire Hopson as DC.

Bumpas has an outstanding defense over at TCU, but he's a little long in the tooth. No offense intended but I think Michigan wants to build a pretty young coaching staff.

[Buzz]

The job has been offered to Hopson, the LB Coach

Man, I hope not. If the Michigan football program offered the DC position to Jay, then he should do the right thing.....and turn it down.

[Rockie]

FWIW, the Mods on Scout and Rivals are saying that Hopson and RR are pretty tight. Remember, RR doesn't like to deal much with the D, so with Hopson and RR not having personality conflicts like Shafer, than this could be a good hire. Hopson a good hire with low risk, and probably him and Tall are a big reason why Big Will will come to Michigan. I'm only telling you what I'm reading and hearing on WTKA, don't know this information first hand, having said that, RR was on ESPN and he said the search will not start till after the Bowl Games are up. Which I believe will end Jan. 7. So take that FWIW

[Sten Carlson]

Man, I hope not. If the Michigan football program offered the DC position to Jay, then he should do the right thing.....and turn it down.

Why, Buzz?

I was just watching the CMU vs FAU game and RR was in the broadcast booth for a minute. He spoke of his relationship with Butch Jones, and most importantly, about the DC hire. RR said that he was going to wait until after the bowl season, that all the guys that would be interested in the job are involved with their current teams in bowl games.

Also, he commented about how hard it was to NOT be in a bowl this season, and that he hopes this will be the only time he has to experience it.

Then the commentator expressed, "patience...let the guy do what he does..."

Anyway, it was good to see RR was up beat, excited about next season, and expressed that there were a lot of positives in this season.

[Buzz]

Why, Buzz?

I was just watching the CMU vs FAU game and RR was in the broadcast booth for a minute. He spoke of his relationship with Butch Jones, and most importantly, about the DC hire. RR said that he was going to wait until after the bowl season, that all the guys that would be interested in the job are involved with their current teams in bowl games.

Also, he commented about how hard it was to NOT be in a bowl this season, and that he hopes this will be the only time he has to experience it.

Then the commentator expressed, "patience...let the guy do what he does..."

Anyway, it was good to see RR was up beat, excited about next season, and expressed that there were a lot of positives in this season.

I meant I hope Michigan doesn't offer the DC position to Jay Hopson, the LB coach.

I just think Michigan needs to hire from outside the program. I made an earlier post about the importance of the hiring process, and if they used some sort of system with the search, then Michigan football should be fine.

[Shane Falco]

If the DC job is on hold until after Bowl games the what makes everyone think Hopson was offered the job? If he was offered then I am sure he would accept and would have already been announced.
If RR is waiting until after Bowl games then it could be Casteel from WV. Anyone else hearing any names that are in Bowl games?

[Bossgobbler23]

If the DC job is on hold until after Bowl games the what makes everyone think Hopson was offered the job? If he was offered then I am sure he would accept and would have already been announced.
If RR is waiting until after Bowl games then it could be Casteel from WV. Anyone else hearing any names that are in Bowl games?

My thoughts exactly but Rocky is pretty good about posting things he has access to. I just hope what the insiders are saying is not correct and what RR said at the CMU game is true (that they are interested in coaches that have bowl games and are waiting until after to proceed with the process). I missed out on the interview. I jumped on this forum last night at half time to kill time and missed the beginning of the 3rd Q when RR was speaking. I set the DVR to record the 3 AM rerun but "due to time constraints" they cut out the whole damn interview!!! Good thing I didn't have the 6th remote in my hands or else I'd be shopping for the 7th one today. LOL

[tpilews]

If the DC job is on hold until after Bowl games the what makes everyone think Hopson was offered the job? If he was offered then I am sure he would accept and would have already been announced.
If RR is waiting until after Bowl games then it could be Casteel from WV. Anyone else hearing any names that are in Bowl games?

I agree with you Shane, looks like Hopson is the "fall to" guy. From what I've read/heard Casteel already turned RR down because he didn't want to move his kids again. I've been hearing Vanderlinden from PSU, which would be a great hire.

Everything and everyone appears to be pure speculation at this point. Because of the interview last night, it appears that Hopson is NOT the top guy, and has NOT been offered the position. Not saying he won't become the DC, just that he's the last resort.

[Rockie]

FWIW, Hopson recruits the South and Oklahoma, so Hopson is responsible for Fera, Beaver, Peace, DaQuinta Jones, Pearlie Graves. He is responsible for Mississippi that we have had some interest but no commits from

On the positive end, he has been cited by those kids as being critical to their recruiting (e.g. recently by Daquinta Jones). On the negative side, we have had 2 decommits among his 5 kids, and the remaining 3 have all potentially discussed taking other visits / decommitting

Still lot of inside scuttlebutt that he is a good teacher, kids like him and he is DC / HC material. Then again there was similar info abt Shafer and look how that turned out

[elno lewis]

A scheme on offense with 'lesser' players can score you some touchdowns.

But schemes on D with lesser players gets you losses.

Don't care who the DC is. Get the best freakin recruiter you can. Get the guy who can snap up some monster beasts with crooked peckers and bad attitudes. Get all these freakin firebreathers and just throw 'em in the game and let go of the freakin leash and feed 'em blood and raw meat. Fock all that smart, strategic junk. I want that cat who'd hold up in a slaughter house with an automatic weapon. I want the guy who can't even spell UM. I want that guy who just might massacre some nerds with big mouths. I WANT THE FOCK LION! That's what defense is--a dad burned Fock Lion! I want a defense with a rep. One with a kewl nick name. One that the FBI is investigating. That is all I want. Is that too freakin much to ask?

Well, is it?

[bighousemike84]

I dont think Hopson is a bad choice. A guy who has spent 1 year as coach and has gotten to know and gained respect from his players. That cant be understated! Having the opportunity to hire a guy in house is a huge commodity. With all the transition offensively last year it would be a mistake to try and bring in wholesale change to the defense. If Coach Rod hires someone outside the program thats fine especially if he is a good coach but you guys are bashing on Hopson a little too much

[tpilews]

More speculation coming from various places saying Casteel will be named DC soon now that WVU is done with their season following their win over UNC.

[Bossgobbler23]

More speculation coming from various places saying Casteel will be named DC soon now that WVU is done with their season following their win over UNC.

I would not mind Casteel. WV was, I believe 8th in the country in points allowed this year (13). Though I am not a supporter of hiring within (this year) due to our poor performance on D and lack of experience, Big House Mike made a good point for Hopson saying basically that he brings stability and recruiting. This is true but IMO there are several other factors to considers such as a proven track record and experience. Not to say that Hopson would be a bad hire in a year or two, I just don't think now is the time. I too would view him as a fall back position for this year.