Who Could Be Michigan's Next Defensive Coordinator?

Who can it be now? Since Shafer has left the program, who will take his place as defensive coordinator? My best guesses are the following candidates.

Jeff Casteel, West Virginia DC

He didn't originally come with Coach Rod and staff last December. Maybe he felt he was going to be a candidate for the head coaching position. With the bumpy road at WVU this fall, maybe he is looking to stay with RR? We also know RR likes the 3-3-5 formation.

Jay Hopson, LB coach Michigan

Jay is in his first year as LB coach with the Wolverines and has DC experience after spending three seasons as defensive coordinator, defensive backs, and middle linebackers coach for the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Jay right now has to be the leader out of the gate to get the job.

John Chavis, former Tennessee DC

John is out of a job and was known to run a very good defense at UT. Usually the head coach has some type of relationship with a coach before they hire them to a high profile role. I think this is pretty unlikely, but he would be a big name outside the program.

Paul Rhoads, former Auburn DC

He is also out of a job and was the former DC at Pitt, so RR knows his style. His defense was the one that kept his team out of the National Championship game last year. If RR was going to go outside the program (meaning no Hopson or Casteel), I would think Rhoads might be a good choice. Auburn had a pretty good defense this year.

If RR mind is set on the 3-3-5, the only one with real experience in that set is Casteel. The "bad press" out of West Virginia may make this hire less attractive then others.

If I had to rate the race at this point:

1. Hopson

2. Casteel

3. Rhoads

4. Chavis or a Mystery Pick

News and Notes

Today is the first day that junior college players can sign a letter of intent and enroll in January. Michigan is interested in one player: Pernell McPhee, a DE who is rated the No. 3 player in JUCO this year. If Pernell joined the Wolverines he would have three years to play two.

D.J. Swearinger is verbally committed to the SC Gamecocks but says this of Michigan: "Michigan is coming at me too. They said to take my time and try to decide if I want to come up for an official visit."

Josh Gordon, a 6'4", 215-lb. WR from Houston who is rated two stars by Scouts, said this about Michigan: "I'm getting an in-home visit from some (Michigan) coaches this week," he said. "I like Michigan because they are rebuilding their offense and have been recruiting me a lot more lately," he said. "I think I'd have a good chance to play early there and get the offense there going."

Gordon says he hopes that Michigan offers next week because he doesn't plan on waiting for the Wolverines much longer. "If they offer me this week, then great," he said. "I'll take a visit there and see what it's like. If not, I'm just gonna focus on the ones I have offers from and move on."

Gordon reports 10 offers from schools like Baylor, Nebraska, Texas Tech, and Missouri. He admits that TT and Mizzou may have lost interest lately. If Josh were to commit to the 2009 Michigan class, he would be the third "Gordon," along with Cameron and Thomas Gordon (not related).

Looks like Ryan Mallett's transfer to Arkansas has prompted Nathan Dick, a redshirt freshman, to transfer from Arkansas. Nathan is reportedly looking at Div. I-AA schools so he can play right away.