Shafer One and Done: Michigan's Defensive Coordinator Resigns

After a very poor year, Michigan's Defensive Coordinator Scott Shafer has resigned.

"Scott and I agreed that moving in a different direction was in the best interest of the program," said coach Rich Rodriguez. "I appreciate Scott's hard work on behalf of Michigan football the past year. He is a good football coach, a good person and a true professional. We wish him well in the future."

Read between the lines here: Scott was asked to leave after a very poor 2008 performance from his defensive unit that was supposed to have been the strength of the team and allow a very young offense to gain experience.

When asked by the Free Press if he resigned:

"Yes, it is accurate," Shafer said this afternoon. "We just had a mutual decision. We had different thoughts on the way we did things. I take full responsibility for the demise of where Michigan's program is at this time."

The coaches had a difference of opinion on which defensive formations to run, RR liked the 3-3-5 and Shafer liked the 4-3.

"That’s kind of the reason the decision was made," Shafer said about their differences. "It's one of those deals throughout the whole deal (we debated.) We came up with that decision that it was time to go our own ways. It just didn't fit as simple as that is. I wish Michigan all the success in the future."

The lowest moment of the year for the Michigan Defense, was the 48-42 loss against Purdue when Michigan's defense let Purdue's third string QB (that was a RB at the beginning of the year) pass for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns and run for 77 yards and 1 more touchdown. Shafer implemented a new defense formation for the game that obviously backfired and gave 10th ranked offense in the Big Ten a big day.