Michigan Monday: Michigan Beats The Ash Out of Rutgers

Chris Ash tried to win at Rutgers, it just didn't happen.   He tried to create a rivalry with Michigan by fencing in the State of New Jersey, but Peppers and Gary still landed in Ann Arbor.    On Sunday, the Rutgers administration had enough, wrote Chris a $8.5M check and asked him to take his Offensive Coordinator with him.

Of course there seems to be more to this story.  Enter former coach Greg Schiano.   Greg has a long strange history with Michigan.  Turn your memory book back to 2007.  Greg has turned Rutgers around and they are a regular in the top 25.  He is rumored to be Penn State's choice to replace JoPa when he retires and is considered a top coach in the country.   "Sailboat" Bill Martin, Michigan's AD is looking for a new football coach as Lloyd Carr has called it a career and speaks to Greg at the national coaches conference.   "Sailboat" Bill is so impressed by Greg, he offers him the Michigan job.   Schiano is a little torn between taking a huge job or staying with his kids at Rutgers.  He declines the Michigan job (reportedly changes his mind and tries to get the Michigan job back a day later, but this time Sailboat Bill declines) to continue coaching at Rutgers.   Looking back, that was one of the dumbest decisions ever.

Greg goes on to fail with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and ends up on Urban's staff as the DC at Ohio State.   Greg then gets the Tennessee head coaching job, until the entire UT student body starts to  riot over a guy that they believe protected Jerry Sandusky's criminal activity at Penn State.

With Ryan Day now at OSU after Urban retires, he asks Greg to leave the Buckeyes and hires Michigan's DL coach and former DC Greg Mattison.  Many Michigan fans feels betrayed by Greg wanting to coordinate a defense for its top rival.   Schiano's unique connection to Michigan continues.
Greg quickly jumps to another high profile job, this time with the Super Bowl Champions.   As its current DC is now the head coach of the Detroit Lions.   Within a few weeks, Greg resigns from his new gig with the Patriots for untold reasons.   What the hell is going on with this guy?  It's probably good for us that Schiano stays away from the greatest NFL QB ever.

This weekend, Michigan beats Rutgers 52-0, and Chris Ash is out of job.   What's interesting is Brett McMurphy, reports that the Rutgers Board of Regents had voted to fire Chris Ash two weeks prior.  Meaning the Rutgers AD had the ability to fire Chris anytime he wanted.    He wanted to on Sunday.

Football Scoop also reported the reason Greg Schiano left the Patriots so abruptly was that Rutgers had reached out to him this summer about the "plan" to get rid of Chris Ash and Greg becoming the next head coach.   Greg then speaks to Belichick about the "plan" and they both decide it would be too disruptive during the season and he should just resign now.   Greg feels that going back to Rutgers wouldn't have the same "Sandusky reaction" that other schools might.   It was really his only way back to being a head coach.

Time to see if the plan comes full circle.

• Michigan opens as a 5.5 point favorite over Iowa on Saturday

• Michigan now #19 in the AP 

• Peppers had a pick 6 off of OSU's Haskins yesterday 

Wolverine Wednesday: Thank Goodness Michigan Didn't Hire....................

When Lloyd Carr retired Michigan struggled to find the right head coach.   They couldn't decide on Les and actually offered the job to the Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano.   At the time, I thought it was a good choice.   Greg reportedly, accepted the job, declined the job and tried to re-accept.   By that time Sailboat Bill's boat as sailed to Rich Rod.

Many had expected that Greg would be inline for the Penn State job when Joe Paterno retired.   Greg didn't wait for a PSU offer and headed for a failed experience coaching Tampa Bay in the NFL.   We all know what happened at Penn State and many of us believed there was zero chance that Joe and others on the staff didn't know what Sandusky was doing.

Depositions were released yesterday, show that Paterno knew as early at 1976 when a young camper approached him about an assault.  He replied, "I don't want to hear about any of that stuff, I have a football season to worry about".   That statement to me sounds like a person, who had heard that allegation before and had taken a blind eye to it.   There were also reports from 1987 and twice in 1988 of staff witnessing Sandusky. 

The depositions also say that Greg Schiano and Tom Bradley knew what was going on.  Both have denied knowing after the reports came out yesterday.    Neither would have a spot on my staff.  Schiano is the assistant head coach at Ohio State and Bradley is the DC for UCLA.

This is the worst thing to ever happen to college football.  I don't know how you ever hire anyone that is even remotely associated with it. 

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Moving on to some lighter topics.

• Some freshman are strong! Gary is said to have put up (bench press) 225 pounds 26 times and Khaleke Hudson tweeted he did 25.    Expect to see both of these guys on the field early and often. 

• It seems that Michigan might have been knocked out of the pole position for both Cesar Ruiz (Alabama) and Drew Singleton (Clemson).   Jimmy and staff have their work cut out for both of these guys.  The good thing is Michigan is a close second or 1A.

• 4 Star DT Jay Tufele has a top 3 of Michigan, OSU at Utah.

• 4 star OT Jedrick Willis is planning another visit for the BBQ at the Big House

Michigan Tuesday: Now Welcomes Rutgers

Monday = Maryland

Tuesday = Rutgers

Wednesday = ? (I hear the Wyoming market might be interesting?)

Michigan tried to hire Greg Schiano a few years ago, he said Yes and then No.  Now he is in Tampa Bay and Rutgers is heading to the Big Ten.  That is weird change of events.   I'm not a media specialist, but I don't believe NYC to be a "college" city so I doubt you will be pulling in the New York market with the addition of Rutgers.  If you bring the Yankees to the Big Ten, you might have a chance.  I see Rutgers a fit academically but that's about it.   I think their strongest sport is Women's Basketball.


Injury Update

• Fitz was expected to be released from Michigan Hospital on Monday after having surgery this weekend, it's still unclear what type of leg injury he has. 
• Denard is close to 100%
• Desmond Morgan is expected to play this week

Speaking of New York, The #4 ranked Michigan Men's basketball team is playing in MSG on Wednesday against Pitt. 


Names to Watch in the 2013 class:

• Godwin Igwebuike - is a RB from Ohio and 3 star prospect who has a nice offer list, he is currently committed to Northwestern but visited Ann Arbor for the MSU game.  He currently does not have a Michigan offer. 

• Reon Dawson, is an athlete out of Trotwood-Madison in Ohio.  He is committed to Illinois and could be a Gareon Conley replacement is he takes visits.   He is ranked 3 stars to Rivals.

• Another 3 star prospect is Elijah Bell from Akron, OH who could play Safety or WR at the next level

How Coaching Changes might effect Michigan prospects

Derrick Green = Tennessee head coach already fired, Auburn's head coach could be next, many have speculated that Oregon's Chip Kelly could be heading to the NFL next year.

Leon McQuay III = Many are saying that Monte Kiffin might be out at USC if Lane stays.   Not sure if that is an issue for LM3 or not.   Many are speculating that James Franklin at Vandy might be up from a bigger job in this off season.   Vandy, FSU, USC, Oregon and Michigan seem to be his front runners.  Oregon does not have the music major he is looking for. 


Quick Question for the Big House Blog Inmates:  Is Michigan a lock for the Capital One Bowl if Nebraska wins on Friday?   I guess they could sneak into a BCS Bowl with a win in C-Bus but I still think there would be too many teams above them in the BCS rankings.

Latest Buzz........

I am hearing that some of the Josh Garnett to Michigan guys are starting to think it might be Stanford.   Not sure they have any new information to say one way or the other. I guess we will find out in 4 hours.   Josh is still tweeting Erik Magnuson, so I hope that is a good sign.

I am sure you heard that former Michigan coaching candidate/Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano took the Tampa Bay job this afternoon   Michigan is interested in two current Rutgers commits in offensive lineman Chris Muller and JJ Denman.  It has been reported that Michigan might have already called Chris this morning.  Pretty sure Chris was the 'secret visitor" that was planning a visit to Ann Arbor a couple of weeks ago but never happened.

More News and Recruiting Briefs

With Some New Updates as of 4:30  today:

Seems Tate Forcier visited Montana to see if he was a good fit to be their next QB.  If Tate transferred to Montana he could have played next season.  Reports say he is more interested in a Division 1 program where he would have to sit out a year.  More on why Tate was kicked out of Michigan per his dad: Michael Forcier said last week. "Tate didn't flunk out, but he had two incomplete grades. If he was given a chance by at least one professor to make up the work and get a grade, he would be eligible." The schools he is looking at are: Miami, Washington, Baylor, San Diego State, Middle Tennessee State and New Mexico are among the FBS schools he is considering transferring to. Forcier said he is also considering lower-division schools such as Montana, South Carolina State and Florida A&M.


The Michigan coaches seem interested in quarterback Tim Byerly. What's more interesting is what the Michigan coaches told Tim's head coach:  "They really liked him on film. Michigan said they had another quarterback visiting this week who felt like would commit to them. But if that did not happen, then they are going to really look at Timmy.”  I guess it's looking good for Texas QB Russell Bellomy who is on campus right now.

There was some thought that Teryl Austin might come back to Michigan to coach the DB's.  That seems out now, as it looks like he will be coaching the DB's for the Baltimore Ravens.

In the low blow of the week:  It seems Rutgers is blocking freshman QB Tom Savage from talking to Michigan about transferring.   The other schools they blocked are Miami FL, Florida, and Florida State.  This is such a "jerk" move by Schiano, none of those schools are on his schedule.

Brady Hoke will be visiting Jake Fisher on Thursday at his high school.

RR gets a gig with CBS College Sports for Signing Day.

New visitors for this weekend include: RB - Thomas Rawls, OL - Ryan Nowicki (a PSU commit), FB- Trayion Durham, LB- Antonio Poole, TE-Chris Barnett.

Greg Mattison in home with DT, Darin Cooper tonight.  Trying to get him on campus for a visit this weekend.

Could Rutgers get two 4 Star Safeties?

Michigan was the team that most recruiting insiders thought would land two 4 star safeties on signing day. Well, Rutgers could have beaten the Wolverines to the punch.

First: Rutgers received a verbal today from Rashad Knight a 4 Star safety from Jacksonville, FL. Rashad picked Rutgers over Michigan.

Second? Jeremy Deering a 4 star safety from Tampa is announcing tonight between Rutgers and FSU.

Greg Schiano must be a good salesman. Of course, Michigan is still in the running for Demar Dorsey and Sean Parker who are both announcing tomorrow.

Knight Goes Rutgers

Sports Illustrated is reporting that Rashad Knight is going to Rutgers.

"I sat down with my family and talked about it -- I called the coach at Michigan to let him know," Knight said. "I just felt too comfortable at Rutgers to not go there."

"A lot of coaches from a bunch of schools called here and there, but he [Rutgers' secondary coach Ed Pinkham] kept calling me so much, it started to get annoying," Knight said. "Then, after awhile, I began to feel real comfortable with him and what he was saying and our talks."

Perhaps it got to be a little too comfortable.

"I really like what they're doing there and how they do things," Knight said about Rutgers. "I like coach Pinkham and coach Schiano a lot. In fact, coach Schiano reminds me a lot of my mom."

Coach reminds you of your mom? Interesting. I wish nothing but success to Rashad. Good luck at Rutgers. This is a considerable loss if Michigan doesn't pick up Parker and Dorsey.

What if?

With Michigan knee deep in water from Bill Martin's sailboat over flowing last December, we felt pretty bad about getting a good quality coach. To Bill's credit he pulled a rabbit out of the hat and got one of the top flight coaches in Division 1.

We all know, how the last few weeks have gone and for all of you that thought Michigan was going to the Rose Bowl this year, take some smelling salts and call me in the morning.

With that said, it's always fun to look back and see how some of the known candidates are doing this year with their current teams.

1. Les Miles: We all know what happened with this mess. But Les continues to impress with his "damn good football team" and his "large stones" when it comes to decision making. He continues to win games with his "risky but rewarding" coaching style and has his team ranked #4 in the country 4-0 and heading into a showdown with Florida this weekend. Coaching Stock: Way UP!

2. Greg Schiano: Greg was offered the Michigan job and for some reason turned it down to stay at Rutgers. Many believe he wants to replace JoPa at Penn State. Like that would be a good reason to turn down the Michigan job? Rutgers this year has been one of the biggest disappointments in D1 and is currently 1-4 (with a win over Morgan State) and things don't look good with Cincinnati this week and other good teams still left on the schedule. His QB punched a WR on the sideline and things seem to be going down hill quickly. Coaching Stock: is Way Down

3. Kirk Ferentz: Kirk was believed to be Lloyd's first choice to replace him at Michigan. He makes a ton of money at Iowa and had a ton of off field issues with his current players. Kirk's team this year has played hard but they missed a big opportunity to upset Michigan State last week with a very weak 4th down call. Coaching Stock: Down

4. Brady Hoke: Brady was always a plan B or C for the Michigan job, but as things look this year should have been near the top of the list. Brady has his Ball State team ranked for the first time in history with a 6-0 record and sights on running the table. Look for Brady to get a big D1 job next year. My guess is Syracuse with Lloyd having some sort of involvement. Coaching Stock: Way UP!

5. Jim Grobe: Jim has has a good year at Wake Forest and just beat Clemson last night. His team is ranked #21 with 4 wins to 1 loss (a bad loss to Navy). Jim continues to impress and is considered one of the best coaches in the ACC. Wake is considered one of the best teams in a down the ACC this year. Coaching Stock: UP


So with everything all said and done, Michigan should still feel pretty good about the coach they hired. Les would have been a good choice, but not sure Michigan could have solved the "rock and the hard place" he was in. The one person Bill publicly offered the job to, turns out is having he worst year. Brady who was every ones last pick, might have been a pretty good choice after all and will end up at a major program soon!