Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Michigan Tuesday: Ben Gone - Grant Stays

I'm pretty sure 90% of the Michigan fan base figured Jimmy might jump after to the NFL after winning the National Championship.  I got that question in the airport in Houston, on the shuttle bus, on the plane, I think you get the idea.   All of us hoped he would stay but we all knew what was going to happen.  


We also knew that Michigan had a built in successor in Sherrone Moore who Jimmy had been saying was ready for a head coaching role for a couple of years.  The one area we didn't consider is Jimmy taking coaches with him to LA from the Michigan staff. 

We all know this is common in the business world and in the NFL or college.  What many of us assumed is that Jimmy would have too much respect for the program he just revitalized and Coach Moore to do that.   Well, Jimmy has a one track mind and right now that is building up the LA Chargers.  

I've seen posts that say, your anger is misplaced at Jimmy for doing that.  My response is BS! Jimmy can chase his NFL dreams if he wants to and even take his son with him.  I will even agree to Jesse Minter, who was probably gone to LA or Baltimore if Mike Macdonald got a head coaching gig.  But to go after Ben Herbert who is the foundation of the Michigan Program and continue to pursue him until he couldn't say no is BS.  Yes, I understand its business and yes, I know Ben did what is best for himself and his family.  All of that can be true and it still be BS!   Ben changes lives in Ann Arbor in LA he will be working with each one of the players own S&C staff. 

The good news is that Sherrone quickly replaced Ben with his long time associate of his at Michigan Justin Tress who Ben has worked side by side with since 2014.  He is a great replacement for Ben and the best possible scenario after Ben leaving.  Michigan was also able to retain Abigail O'Connor the Director of Nutrition who Jimmy was also trying to take.   So those are 2 pretty big wins after a bad start to a Monday.  👍👍

The other good news is Grant Newsome got promoted from TE coach to OL coach.  Jimmy believes Grant Newsome is on the same path as Sherrone on the coaching ladder of success.  👍

Michigan now focuses in on a DC search.  

In house consists of Coach Clink and Coach Elston.  Outside names include: Ravens Secondary coach Dennard Wilson and Passing Game Coordinator Chris Hewitt, and Georgia's DL coach Tray Scott.  The University of Ohio's DC has also been mentioned. 

TE coach is also on the clock with a room full of talent. 

  • Kobe Bufkin scored 43 points in the G League.  
  • For the life of me, I can't understand the recruitment of WR Gatlin Bair.  Yes, he is very fast and a tremendous athlete, but he won't be on campus for another 2 years and any decision right now, is not important vs. the one he makes in 2 years.  With that said, he is trending to Oregon.  Yes, I would feel the same way if he committed to Michigan.  
  • Clint Hurtt who was Seattle's DC for two years and was mentioned as a name of interest for Michigan's DC role, was hired by the Eagles as their DL coach. 
  • Tom Brady is merging TB12 and the Brady Brand into the NOBULL Brand and will be its 2nd largest stock owner. 

15 comments:

Brady2017 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brady2017 said...

I wonder if Jimmy identified Ben Herbert and brought him to Michigan, or if the University was more responsible for him being here. Either way, Warde should have Godfathered up to make him an offer he can't refuse.

Chowman said...

Brady: Jim recruited Herbert from Arkansas. He was at Arkansas with Beilema and I believe went to Arkansas with Big Bert when he left Wisconsin. That all being said, I'm with Bob, don't poach our guys. Its BS and why I won't root for Jim in LA!

Bob: great post. I get football coaching is a good all boys network but doesn't mean as fans we have to like Jimmy raiding the Michigan staff. AFter all it was Jimmy's big move to leave for the NFL, find your own guys!

Brady2017 said...

Ya, I won't be rooting for the Chargers either. Jim's got a billionaire owner's budget to go get whatever guys he wants without tearing Michigan down.

Blue said...

The word out is Ben wanted 10 years (would of settled for less) with a 10% pay increase. Warde didn't want to do either.

Michigan Football fans all understand how important Ben was. From a development standpoint, a mental standpoint, to a recruiting standpoint. A main cog in winning both our championships last year, the players loved him and are still really upset he is gone.

I would of definitely done whatever it takes to keep this man aboard during this ongoing transition.













Chowman said...

Look, Jim got us a Naty. That memory of the 2023 season can never be taken away. That being said, he's moved on, and so have I. Sherrone Moore is our coach now and that's all that matters. I'm turning the page and wishing Jimmy will too!

Chowman said...

Blu especially with Sherrone Moore on a bargain contract. The football program pays for itself and then some!

Ron said...

Chowman: Jim did not recruit Ben Herbert from Arkansas when Beiliama got fired Herbert was out of a job. Lucky enough for us it was at the same time we were looking for a new strength coach. That was a great hire by Jim Harbaugh

szanreno said...

I hope Harbaugh is hugely successful...

Chowman said...

Ron, He did go after Herbert when Big Bert got fired. That's what I meant. It was a good hire and to answering Brady's question: Yes Jim brought him to Michigan. Still don't like Jim poaching Michigan staff. Jay's a given cause that's his son. I knew Minter was only a matter of time before an NFL team came calling. But enough with Jim stocking his whole staff with UofM guys.

Thom said...

Enough of hearing and reading about little jimmy. His dog & pony show has left town. Time to move on.

Chas said...

Ward is terrible!!! Without Ben there wouldn't have been a natty. He should have done whatever it took!

szanreno said...

Herbert's been at UM for 6 years, now all of a sudden he's the greatest coach ever. Where's all this talk been for the last 5 1/2"years?!?

Rudy said...

Said it before, Harbaugh didn’t leave the ncaa, the ncaa left him. It’s a cancerous org and showed their corrupt hand. Why deal with that. And behind the scenes there are vipers in the UM admin and regents. Even winning the Natti, he still had plenty of high rollers that did t support him. As for Minter, he was gold and surely gone whether JH took him or not. I get it, real fans are often the hardest on their own team but there’s a chunk of UM fans that are just idiotic. They are the noise. Ignore the noise.

Blue said...

Right on Rud ... ✔👍