Michigan Wins Coaching Carousel Hiring Tim Drevno, D.J. Durkin as Coordinators

Michigan refuses to lose when it comes to getting the coach it wants, when it wants. 

On Dec. 30, athletic director Jim Hackett announced the hiring of head coach Jim Harbaugh, an obvious home run acquisition meant to rekindle a smoldering program in Ann Arbor.

Days later, on Jan. 8, D.J. Durkin, formerly of Florida, was named as Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator—and just one day after that, on Jan. 9, the Wolverines crowned their trifecta by hiring Tim Drevno, formerly of USC, as their offensive coordinator.

Things are taking shape for Michigan, which has burned at both ends while trying to forget the past seven years of agony, defeat and disappointment.

With Durkin and Drevno on board, Harbaugh will be flanked by a pair of familiar assistants—he’s coached with both in the past—who understand his mode of operation, personality and tendencies.

Cohesiveness goes a long way. From 2007-2009, Durkin was Harbaugh’s defensive assistant at Stanford. From 2003-2009, Drevno served in some capacity as a Harbaugh staff member at San Diego and Stanford—he also has NFL experience, having coached Harbaugh’s O-line in San Francisco from 2011-2013.

In 2014, Durkin’s Gators finished with the nation’s No. 13-ranked total defense. While with the Trojans this past season, Drevno orchestrated the country’s No. 29-ranked total offense—and while that stat may not be as impressive as Durkin’s, it certainly bodes well for the Wolverines, who finished the season with the No. 112-ranked offense under Doug Nussmeier.

Looking at Drevno

Handout/Getty Images

The Wolverines offensive line hasn’t dominated the trenches for years. In fact, it hasn’t paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher since 2011 when Fitz Toussaint broke loose for 1,041.

Reclaiming territory up front and ruling with running backs is of high priority for Michigan, a sentiment often reinforced during 2014 by former coach Brady Hoke.

That said, Harbaugh found the right man in Drevno, who has a long history of promoting a healthy front and equally reliable ground attack.

"He was all about the run game, all about that and pass blocking, he was just really, really involved with the line play," said J.T. Rogan, per MLive’s Nick Baumgardner. While under Harbaugh and Drevno’s tutelage, Rogan evolved into San Diego’s leading rusher— and the former Toreros star has nothing but high praise for his former coach.

"He worked with the backs on how the plays needed to go, and he was just very detailed, very inspired and very motivated as a coach. A real tough guy. He challenged linemen to be ultimate competitors. He was a lineman himself, he knew what it was like in the trenches. Just a really fired up guy, passionate, great focus and his intensity could not be understated."

An upgrade over Darrell Funk? That’s the goal.

Funk’s offensive lines were arguably some of the worst to ever take the field at The Big House. And don’t forget about quarterback protection, because there was very little under his direction—Devin Gardner was frequently drilled at every turn and sacked an astonishing 60 times in two seasons (34 in 2013, 26 in 2014).

However, that’s not to say that Drevno’s lines haven’t had their issues. In 2014, Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler was sacked 32 times. That’s not a hallmark statistic. And neither are his rushing numbers from this past fall—USC’s ground game (unfortunately) was neck-and-neck with Michigan’s output: Michigan had the No. 62-ranked rushing offense (4.60 YPA), and USC finished ranked No. 66 (3.9 YPA).

Statistics and off-year aside, Drevno is bent on one thing: Owning the game of inches.

"I believe that any great football team has a great offensive line and a great defensive line," said Drevno, according to MGoBlue’s Steve Kornacki. "That's the foundation of your team right there.

"Everybody wants to be Tyrone Wheatley or Desmond Howard on offense at Michigan. Nobody says, 'Let's get in the middle of the street and push this car with a wide base down the road.' But that's what offensive linemen do, and that's huge to the success of a team."

Starting with the basics, Drevno's line play will ultimately lead to a revamped, rebooted passing game. The Wolverines have redshirt frosh Wilton Speight and sophomore Shane Morris on-deck, not to mention incoming freshman Alex Malzone. 

Hiring Drevno was just the first of many steps in the reinvention of Wolverines football. 

Looking at Durkin

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Since 2011, the Wolverines defense has been on the up-and-up thanks to Greg Mattison, who was retained as linebackers coach after serving as Hoke’s defensive coordinator. Mattison took over one of the worst defenses in FBS history and turned it into a consistent top-20 power.

He deserved to stay. 

That said, pairing Durkin with an already established recruiter and mentor was absolutely in the best interest of the program.

Renowned for his energy and passion, Mattison, who acts half his age (if that—and in a good way), could turn Durkin into the next great DC in Ann Arbor. At age 36, Durkin has decades of dominating defenses on the horizon.

A strong advocate for stopping the run and stocking up with big linebackers, Durkin’s presence will only multiply the Wolverines’ intensity in 2015.

"D.J. is one of the top young defensive coordinators in football, and I look forward to having him work with our student-athletes," said Harbaugh, via a Michigan press release. "He will make an excellent addition to our staff."

The feeling is mutual for Durkin, who has ties to the area and loves to scour the nooks and crannies for talent.

"Reuniting with Jim at the University of Michigan is an opportunity that I could not pass up," said Durkin, via release. "We had some great times working together at Stanford, and I look forward to producing great results at Michigan.

I look forward to coaching in the Big Ten after growing up in that footprint. I am excited to return to the Midwest and recruit and teach some of the best and brightest young men in the country."

As highlighted by College Football Poll, there have been several spot-on hires. Jim McElwain, who'll have Nussmeier, may be exactly what Florida needs to get back on track. Pitt hit the jackpot when it landed former Michigan State DC Pat Narduzzi, a true architect of incredible defense. 

In hopes to improve, Oregon State replaced Mike Riley with Gary Andersen of Wisconsin. Countering that move, Riley ended up at Nebraska, taking over for Bo Pelini. 

Michigan isn't the only program that's set up for a rebound thanks to new coaching. However, it has set itself apart from the rest, clearly getting the cream of the crop by starting at the top with Harbaugh. Settling for less was never an option, and Hackett, who's acted much more like a permanent AD than a temp, has put the world of college football on notice. 

Michigan will get Michigan's when Michigan wants. 

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference or press release.