An orchestra of hero worship, sentimentality and the hymn of Hail to the Victors has been sounding in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the past two weeks. Jim Harbaugh returned to his alma mater as the destined savior of a tradition-laden program. Harbaugh is charged with restoring a culture firmly rooted in its past under the late great Bo Schembechler. A feeling that anything is possible now reigns in Ann Arbor, but now it is time for Harbaugh to get down to the nitty gritty of organizing his coaching staff and first recruiting class. He has wasted no time in impressing and getting off to the best possible start.
Attacking this day with Enthusiasm Unknown to Mankind
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) enero 15, 2015
Staff Emerges
Harbaugh began with picking his new defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, who arrives from the University of Florida. The one thing that Florida had going for it during the crossed and inconsistent Will Muschamp era was Durkin’s excellent and consistent defenses. Just as important Durkin is renowned as an excellent recruiter. In fact, Durkin was named 2012 Recruiter of the Year by recruiting site Rivals.com.
Remaining on the Michigan staff is past defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who will be retained as the new defensive line coach. Much like Durkin, Mattison was the lone coaching bright spot during the four year run of Brady Hoke as head coach at Michigan. Mattison’s defenses were solid and had to carry the Wolverines for the past two seasons when their offense completely faltered. Mattison has proven to have immediate credibility with recruits based on his time as defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.
Another former NFL assistant, Tim Drevno, will serve as offensive coordinator. Drevno arrives from the USC Trojans. Drevno was the offensive coordinator at USC and was previously an offensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers.
Greg Jackson was hired as Michigan’s secondary coach and also comes with NFL credentials as a 12-year safety in the league. Jackson had been serving as a college assistant at four previous stops from 2003-10. He was with Harbaugh as secondary coach at San Francisco for four seasons and decided to join his friend and boss in Ann Arbor.
“I know coach Harbaugh, he’s a winner,” said Jackson. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here and follow him, because I know he is going to win.”
High school recruits base a great deal of importance of a school having the ability to develop them into the NFL and Harbaugh’s coaching hirings are a masterstroke at making that sale.
Power Football
With the hiring of Drevno, Harbaugh made a clear shot across the bow that Michigan will be returning to a power-oriented running game and play a modern version of the Schembechler style. It is the same formula that Harbaugh used with great success as head coach at Stanford and at San Francisco.
Recruiting Blitz
Harbaugh and his staff have three weeks to work their magic on the recruiting trail before National Signing Day on Feb. 4. Right now the group is a forlorn set of six. Harbaugh must try and turn a wasted recruiting year into a group that makes a national statement.
Contact period has begun again, which means Harbaugh and his staff can meet recruits in person. Harbaugh has been noted as at his best as a recruiter when working in person and looking a prospect right in the eye.
The Welcome Mat
Official visits for recruits to Ann Arbor will take place in earnest starting this weekend. Among the visitors that Harbaugh will try and sway is Chris Clark. Clark is the top ranked tight end in the country and is ranked as the 67th overall prospect. The blue-chip prospect from Connecticut is considering North Carolina, UCLA, and Michigan.
Cornerback Damon Arnette of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is also in the mix. The talented corner, who played his high school ball at famed St. Thomas Aquinas, is currently committed to South Carolina but is still considering the Wolverines.
Linebacker Roquan Smith of Macon County, Ga. is also in play. He has connections to Durkin and that may be the difference. He is also considering Florida, Georgia, UCLA and USC.
