Friday, January 14, 2011

Michigan Friday: Updates Hoke's Staff, Player Status and some Recruiting

Mike Barwis is now officially out as Michigan's S&C coach.  I know SDSU's S&C guy is well respected, but I just wish they could have worked something out so that Mike stayed on staff.  It's too bad and Mike probably has already found another job.

Al Borges will be Michigan's Offensive Coordinator, which hasn't been a big mystery.   Al runs a pro style offense but will do things that takes advantage of Denard's skills: 

"To say we're a spread team, we're not that," Borges said. "But you can't say, we're going to blow up and start all over again, not when you have a talent like (Robinson). We want to get back to some power offense, get down in the stance and knock people off the ball and give our kids a chance to kick butt. Within that scope, we then let our quarterback do what he does well.

"I've been doing this for 24 years. I'm no genius and I do not pretend to be one, but I have a hell of a lot of experience with a lot of different types of quarterbacks."

This is a smart more, running an offense that will allow Denard to run but making him a better QB at the next level. 

Fred Jackson is back as Michigan's RB Coach:  There wasn't much doubt that Freddie would be back.  He had been on staff for 20 years and was the only Michigan coach RR retained after he came to Michigan.   Fred is one of the best recruiters at Michigan and should help keep this class together.

Tate Update:  Tate's father is in town to talk to the Michigan staff about letting his son back in the program.  Tate's father contradicts the rumors that Tate was asked to leave the program due to academics:  "I can tell you this — he didn't fail his classes, Mike Forcier said in the report. "I'm really not sure what's going on. I just flew into Ann Arbor to figure everything out and see how we can get this whole thing resolved."   I hope this can be worked out and Tate gets back into the program but I hope Tate clearly understands what the expectations are for a student athlete at Michigan.

Mike Martin: Is not going pro and staying at Michigan for his senior year.  Which is good news for Michigan's defense next year. 

Former Michigan assistant coach Rod Smith has taken at job at IU as their co-offensive coordinator and Greg Fry will coach the Hooisers offensive line.

RR cleans out his closet and gives his Michigan gear to the Salvation Army so that they can raise some money.

Kyle Turley:  Did the media rounds yesterday and basically threw Brady Hoke under the bus for leaving SDSU after two years (Turley went to SDSU) and the same time he basically said that he heard Dan Marino got high before football games.  So he is a great source for solid information.


Recruiting Tid Bits:
  • It seems Dallas Crawford has cut Michigan from his list.  So I guess he will be another coaching change casualty.  I'm surprised he is doing that before he talks to the Michigan coaches.

  • Thomas Rawls instate RB continues to be very interested in Michigan now with Fred Jackson back on the staff.  Thomas needs to get a test score up but if that happens he might be the second RB in this class.  Thomas rushed for 1,585 yards, 19 touchdowns on 150 carries in 2010.

  • Michigan still seems to be in the Kris Frost race.  Kris picked Auburn during the AA game week but was a silent commit to the Wolverines.  There is some question to whether Auburn has room in this class for Kris.  (they are losing two players to the NFL this week ). I hope Brady is on the phone today with Kris.  Today is the end of the recruiting dead period.

  • Is Michigan back in the recruitment's of instate 4 stars Anthony Zettel and DeAthony Arnett?  Both are already committed to other schools (PSU and Tenn).  No proof that they are but If I were Brady and staff I would give them a call.