Ranking Potential DC Candidates for Michigan

By Kevin Schroeder
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Updated: December 4, 2015

Note: The Michigan-OSU game recap will be up when it’s up. The videos I use to review film haven’t been posted yet. At the very least the review will be up before the bowl game.

DJ Durkin accepted the head coach position at Maryland Wednesday. He was fine most of the year, but never really showed any ability to stop spread option offenses and with what happened last Saturday happening, let’s just say I would have been a lot more upset about this a month ago. Now, Michigan needs a new DC. Here’s my take on who they should look at.

Hire Him Today

Jeremy Pruitt, DC, Georgia

Great coach and an even better recruiter. Rumored to be Kirby Smart’s replacement at Alabama. Also rumored to have interest in the Michigan job. Since he’s never held a job in the north, it seems possible that “is interested in the Michigan job” means “would like a bigger salary at Alabama.”

Solid Hire

Todd Orlando, DC, Houston

Built good defenses at Houston and Utah State.

Dave Aranda, DC, Wisconsin

Really don’t know why he’s not being talked about more. Put together good defenses at Wisconsin with less talent than he could get at Michigan.

Fine

Vic Fangio, DC, Chicago Bears

He’s on the list because his name’s been brought up, so I need to mention him. Awesome coach. Has worked with Harbaugh. How would he do in college, recruiting and going up against spread offenses? Dunno. He’s been mostly a pro guy, save for a year with Harbaugh at Stanford. Should he leave Chicago? No. Should he be the first guy Michigan calls? No. Are there guys Michigan should call first who would almost certainly take the job if offered? Yes.

Scott Shafer, Former HC, Syracuse

Worked with Harbaugh at Stanford before leaving for Michigan, where he left after a year after Rich Rodriguez insisted he run a 3-3-5 defense. We saw how that worked out. *shakes fist at Rich Rodriguez* Solid coach.

Lance Anderson, DC, Stanford

Great recruiter, okay coach.

Teryl Austin, DC, Detroit Lions

Much of what I said about Fangio applies here, minus the “worked with Harbaugh” part. Likely stays in the NFL.

Could Do Worse

Greg Jackson, DB coach, Michigan

Did a great job with the DBs this year.

Greg Mattison, DL coach, Michigan

Has done it before. Struggled with spread option teams. At this point in Mattison’s life, the only way I see him as DC again is if it’s a Co-DC situation with Jackson

Jim Leavitt, DC, Colorado

Has worked with Harbaugh. Built South Florida into a great program. Hit one of his players in the locker room when he was there, which is why he’s not much higher on this list.

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com