Michigan Football: Grading Hires of Wolverines 2015 Coaching Staff
Jim Harbaugh’s coaching staff at Michigan is nearly complete. Once finished, it’ll rival the best that college football has to offer—that much is written in stone and isn't up for debate.
Along with athletic director Jim Hackett, Harbaugh, coach No. 20 in Wolverines history, has secured an elite band of assistants who have earned their stripes in the NFL and/or with major FBS programs. The goal is clear: Turn around the program.
That said, experience and resumes won’t ever be an issue—these guys have logged enough years to ease any sort of uncertainty during the transition. They’re proven winners and know what they’re doing.
This slideshow will analyze and grade each official hire—“official” meaning that it appears on MGoBlue, the university’s official site—because taking a look at the potential newcomers is a task for another time.
D-Line Coach: Greg Mattison
1 of 5
Grade: A++
Excluding Harbaugh, the hiring of Mattison could end up being the most important of all. Well, the rehiring of Mattison—he served as former coach Brady Hoke’s defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2014. Following Hoke’s dismissal on Dec. 2, Mattison’s future with the program was momentarily in limbo—but he’s back, this time as the D-line coach.
In 2013 and 2014, Mattison’s front four was one of the most feared in college football. It stuffed the run, helped pave the way for 54 quarterback sacks and dominated the trenches. However, due to the team’s 7-6 and 5-7 finishes, the line doesn't always get due credit.
Prior to Mattison, Michigan’s defense was a cruel joke. It was at its worst under former coach Rich Rodriguez, who had Greg Robinson and Scott Shafer calling the shots. But in 2011, Mattison whipped it into shape, jumping from No. 118 in FBS to top-25 respectability.
And then he kept going.
"…Meanwhile, in February 2013, Mattison was named the ESPN RecruitingNation Recruiter of the Year.
In 2014, the Wolverines listed seventh in total defense (311.3 avg.), 15th in rushing defense (117.7 avg.), tied for 20th in passing yards (193.7 avg.) allowed and 28th in scoring defense (22.4 avg.) and tackles for loss (6.8 avg.).
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Celebrated for his passion and dedication, Mattison—who assisted the Wolverines defense from 1992 to 1996—has earned considerable respect from players, potential recruits, colleagues and media members; the 65-year-old also has history with the Harbaugh family, one that extends beyond the football field (see MGoBlue video feature below).
"WATCH: Coach Mattison talks with @MGoBlueTV about the Defensive Line and his relationship with the Harbaugh's. » http://t.co/xao09YHtoQ
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) January 12, 2015"
Defensive Coordinator: D.J. Durkin
2 of 5
Grade: A- (UM is his second full-time DC job)
At 37, Durkin could be the next Mattison.
The former Florida defensive coordinator certainly shares several character traits with Mattison, who is nearly 30 years the elder. Durkin’s mindset mimics Mattison’s—he loves to stop the run and create havoc with the D-line. However, it’s uncertain whether he’ll run a similar 4-3 or opt for the 3-4 approach.
Either way, he’ll have one of the best in the game to assist him. Durkin’s also a linebackers guy (he'll coach them as well), and Mattison absolutely loves linebackers. Together, they could push the Wolverines even further up the charts.
"Florida's 2014 squad finished the regular season fifth in the country in yards allowed per play (4.45), ninth in the nation in yards allowed per rush attempt (3.16) and 10th in the NCAA in yards allowed per pass attempt (5.9). Defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr. and defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III garnered All-SEC first team accolades, and linebacker Antonio Morrison was an all-conference second team selection.
In Durkin's first season as defensive coordinator in 2013, the Gators' proved to be one of the elite units in the nation, ranking among the best in a number of major categories. Florida finished first in the SEC and seventh in the country in pass defense (171. 8 yards per game), sixth in first downs allowed (16.1 per game) and 15th in scoring defense (21.1 points per game) while allowing only 27 touchdowns, the sixth fewest in the nation.
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Also worth noting: Durkin coached with Harbaugh at Stanford, serving as a defensive assistant from 2007 to 2009. They’re familiar, and being familiar promotes rapid results.
Expecting a top-10 defense may not be too much, especially when considering the next hire.
"Coach Durkin 'By The Numbers': Coaching Career. » pic.twitter.com/hqWITjSs78
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) January 8, 2015"
Secondary Coach: Greg Jackson
3 of 5
Grade: B+
While with Harbaugh in the Bay Area, Jackson helped mold a stingy, hard-hitting secondary in San Francisco. His experience will obviously come in handy for the Wolverines, whose defensive backs missed too many tackles and had just two picks in 2014—both of them belonging to star corner Jourdan Lewis.
They had 15 in 2013, so expect a renewed emphasis on the fundamentals.
Turnovers equal wins. Michigan’s safeties and corners have the potential to play at the same level, or better, than the linebackers and D-line. This past season wasn't a true measure of their worth.
On top of his time with the 49ers, Jackson’s 12-year NFL career and one year coaching DBs in the Big Ten (Wisconsin, 2010) could tie things together in Ann Arbor.
"From 2011-14, Jackson guided San Francisco's defensive backs as the assistant secondary coach. Statistically he helped lead one of the best units in the NFL. In 2013, the 49ers allowed just 221.0 passing yards per game, which ranked fourth in the NFC and seventh in the NFL. The 49ers boasted the NFC's best pass defense in 2012, allowing just 200.2 passing yards per game. San Francisco's defensive backs picked off 22 pass in 2011, the second-most in the NFL.
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Being young helps. At 48, Jackson has a lot of years ahead of him. Some of the best ones could be in Ann Arbor.
"WATCH: Coach Jackson talks with @MGoBlueTV for his first interview as the Secondary Coach. http://t.co/QQ92FmJBAR
— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) January 14, 2015"
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Strength and Conditioning: Kevin Tolbert
4 of 5
Grade: B+
Injuries aren't exclusive to Ann Arbor, but tell that to the laundry list of Wolverines who have been sidelined due to bumps, bruises and, most alarmingly, ACL tears.
Blaming past coaching/training for the rash of ACL tears would be irresponsible. It’s not Aaron Wellman’s fault that running back Drake Johnson tore his left ACL twice within two years. It’s not Wellman’s fault that tight end Jake Butt tore his ACL during winter workouts in 2014.
Wellman didn't cause quarterback Devin Gardner to be injured at every turn, either. Wellman has more than 18 years of experience and is considered to be good at his job. But Michigan needed someone better, so Harbaugh reached out to Kevin Tolbert, the new strength and conditioning coach.
Well, he’s new to this generation and staff. He served in the same capacity under former coach Lloyd Carr from 2001 to 2007.
Tolbert isn't new to Harbaugh, either. He coached with him at Stanford and in San Francisco.
"Prior to returning to Ann Arbor, Tolbert spent six years working with head coach Jim Harbaugh, including four seasons as the assistant strength and conditioning coach with the San Francisco 49ers (2011-14) and two seasons with Harbaugh at Stanford (2009-2010). Tolbert was the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Cardinal in 2009 before being promoted to head strength and conditioning coach for the 2010 season.
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His familiarity with Michigan and Harbaugh will make for an easy transition. Another solid hire, Tolbert joins a staff that seems to be built on the idea of past connections translating to future success, an idea that makes a lot of sense.
Offensive Coordinator: Tim Drevno
5 of 5
Grade: A
Drevno, who's coached with Harbaugh thrice during the past decade, is more than just a coach—he’s tailored for Michgan’s needs.
For the past handful of seasons, the Wolverines O-line has been laughable at best. Some would argue that it slightly improved in 2014, but there is no arguing that it’s miles behind the anticipated course.
Michigan has stockpiled plenty of talent, with Mason Cole looking like the best. He was the first freshman to start opening day at left tackle at Michigan, which is an honor in itself, and will likely be the building block as Harbaugh plans for the future.
Drevno, formerly of USC, has a lot of high-end clay to mold. His resume suggests that his attempts will be successful.
"He was the offensive line coach under Harbaugh for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2011-13 seasons. The 49ers won the NFC West two seasons, played in the NFC Championship Game each of those three seasons and participated in Super Bowl XLVII. Drevno coached a pair of Pro Bowl players in 2013 -- Joe Staley and Mike Iupati -- and all five of his offensive linemen were selected to the Pro Bowl in 2012.
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The Trojans didn't run the ball very well in 2014 (No. 63 overall). That’s not too reassuring, either. One could argue that the Trojans had a better line and superior stable of running backs than Michigan (No. 77) did this past year, so expecting great improvement in that area may be a stretch.
But there are possibilities.
Ty Isaac, formerly of USC, will be eligible this fall. Derrick Green’s recovering from a broken clavicle and will be available, too. De’Veon Smith will be an option as well. Drevno will have a trio capable of racking up yardage, but he first must focus on developing an offensive line before going all-out with the running backs.
Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other sanctioned access.
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