Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Day 3 of the Michigan Coaching Search:


Candidate No. 3: Ron English (20-5 as defensive coord. at Michigan)

Experience:
Michigan - Defensive Coord. (2004-Present)
Seattle Seahawks - Secondary Coach (2003)
Arizona St - Secondary Coach (1998-2002)
San Diego St - Secondary Coach (1996-1997)
Northern Arizona - OLB Coach (1995)

Positives:He is a current member of the staff. This is a huge factor when considering the current class of recruits. Most kids commit to the coach that is recruiting them, or at least have a stronger relationship with them than the head coach. If English is hired it almost guarantees that the recruits stay committed. English is not a bad coach either. He was the DB's coach in his first two seasons and was elevated to DC prior to last season. It paid off. Michigan's defense finished #1 against the run, 4th in sacks, 7th in 3rd-down defense, 10th in total defense and 15th in scoring defense. These are all national rankings. He is a high-energy guy that is a solid recruiter also.

Negatives:His lack of head coaching experience at the high D-1 level will hurt his case. And he is still learning as a play caller and in-game adjuster. His defenses were beat pretty bad in a four game stretch spanning the final two games of last season (OSU/USC) and the first two of this season (App St/Ore). Now to his credit, all of those offenses are very high powered, with the exception of Appy St of course. No one has stopped Dennis Dixon this season and no one slowed Troy Smith last.

Probability: 60%
Visitor Hire Rating:

Thu: Candidate No. 4: Brian Kelly
Fri: Candidate No. 5: Mike Trgovac

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