Friday, June 3, 2022

Michigan Friday: This Hire Is like Bill Belichick but Faster

When Jimmy looks for a new coach, I have two strong preferences:

1 - A young talented coach, that brings new ideas, relates to the players, and recruits his ass off.  

2- A legacy Michigan Football player or coach that brings tradition and a love for Michigan that is un-matched.   

If you fit into either category, you are good with me.  Jimmy took #2 to another level on Wednesday, when it was announced a legendary Michigan coach is back as an analyst on Jimmy's staff.  During a summer camp at Ferris State, it was announced that Fred Jackson has rejoined the Michigan program.  

Fred was hired by Gary Moeller in 1992 and spent 23 years as Michigan's RB coach.   He coached a long list of famous Michigan RB's includingMike Hart, Tyrone Wheatley, Chris Perry, Chris Howard, Tim Biakabutuka and Anthony Thomas.  Fred is 71 and brings incredible experience and a love for Michigan that is 2nd to none.  

If you're not familiar with Fred, he would always hype up recruits by comparing them with another player.  For an extreme example, QB Recruit is a winner like Tom Brady, has the arm strength of Mahomes, and runs like Michael Vick.   One of his more famous lines is comparing Michigan's leading rusher and current Michigan RB coach Mike Hart by saying: This RB recruit runs like Mike Hart but faster.   Mike was a great runner but was never known for his breakaway speed. 

Love or hate Jimmy, but you have to admit he has a great sense of tradition and understands what his program needs.   Fred is obviously at the end of his career and has been out of coaching (Ypsi's Dean of Students since 2015) and now gets to finish his career at a place he loves.    This is the Michigan Difference. 

  • Lots of Michigan connections in attendance at Ferris State on Thursday including: Don Brown, Marcus Ray (watching his son), Jim McElwain, Roy Roundtree, Erik Campbell.  Also attending PJ Fleck and Penn State's James Franklin. 
  • Jimmy at Ferris, gave a positive update on Ronnie Bell's health.  Sounds like he will be ready for Fall Camp. 

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