Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez in no rush to fill staff opening, more notes
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez doesn’t sound like he’s in any rush to fill the opening on his coaching staff.
“Still talking to guys,” Rodriguez said Sunday at halftime of the Michigan-UConn basketball game. “I may do it in a week or 2, I may do it after signing day.”
Rich Rodriguez is still searching for an assistant defensive coach.
AnnArbor.com file photo
Rodriguez had dinner with former Marshall coach Mark Snyder at the American Football Coaches Association convention last week in Orlando, and according to a report on Rivals.com he also interviewed South Florida co-defensive coordinator David Blackwell.
Linebackers coach Jay Hopson left to become defensive coordinator at Memphis last month, and Rodriguez said he’ll hire a defensive assistant as a replacement.
He declined to identify individual candidates and joked there's “between 5 and 15” possible replacements in the mix.
“Really, I’m really haven’t got into the details of it yet,” he said. “I’ve been pretty busy.”
Michigan welcomed 10 prospects for official visits this weekend, and about 30 juniors were on campus for a junior recruiting day.
Rodriguez said recruiting is going "very well."
"We had to meet our needs, obviously, especially defensively," he said. "I think we’re doing that. We’re in pretty good shape. We only have a couple spots open, so now we’re just trying to fill it with the best student-athletes we can find in the next couple weeks. But we’re in good shape."
Also Sunday:
• Rodriguez said defensive tackle Mike Martin will miss spring practice after undergoing shoulder surgery. "He should be fine by summertime," Rodriguez said.
• Defensive back Floyd Simmons also is recovering from a sports hernia surgery, Rodriguez said.
• Rodriguez said he doesn't know where linebacker Brandon Smith has transferred.
• On new athletic David Brandon, Rodriguez said, "I’ve talked to him. We’ve met several times before. I’m really excited about him. He’s a terrific person, has a great love for Michigan and he’s proven to have great success in the business world. So we’ll get together probably after recruiting and when he gets on campus full time. But I think it’s going to be very exciting for us."
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
Stophersports
Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 9:25 a.m.
This whole situation with the staff seems bothersome. Hopson leaves for Memphis and Magee interviews with South Florida. Now we have Snyder most likely getting an offer to be on the staff, but he turns it down to go to USF. It would be helpful to know whether Hopson and Magee contacted those schools (wanting to jump ship) or if they were approached. Either way, it seems as though no one wants to work at Michigan anymore.
NoBowl4Blue
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 4:01 p.m.
Rich Rod missed on Snyder who used to be "D" coordinator for OSU. It might have helped to have him just to know what OSU does because they have U of M's number.
MichMich
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.
NCAA sanctions will mean nothing - Alabama is technically currently under NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations. Didn't really stop them. I like our new recruits, like Davion Rogers, finally come size on our D. 6'6" with a 4.4 40?! It's good to see Devon Gardner will start classes early - that's another plus. We have a committed Michigan Man (and yes I know what Bo meant when he said that - I have my own definition) as AD now. Our new Safety recruit Carvin Johnson is fast - played for a USA Today top-25 high school, the kid is awesome. I have to say this recruiting season has gone better than anticipated. Mr Rich Rod I therefore have not given up on you yet, let's see what this season brings.
Fresh121
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 9:23 a.m.
I think its taking so long cuz were on the back burner with USC and lane kiffin i think thats what the ncaa is looking at prob not so much us.i cant see us gettin major trouble over practice why usc has kids ridin in lexus the reggie bush stuff and were gettin in trouble..if were gettin in trouble for practice USC should be shutting down its whole school lol..no way usc gets away with money and cars but we practice to much what a joke.
richagain
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 8:21 a.m.
why worry? all colleges practice more than suppose to. Maybe NCAA is comming to realize this is the case. At worst, UM looses a few scholarships and some fines. This is what we get when some of the UM faithful dont buy into RR and changes. Change is part of life, you dont like it, get a new team -please Richagain 2010
Salinegoblue
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 5:44 a.m.
Considering the condition of the program and the NCAA investigation, we may have difficulty in hiring a good defensive coach. Hopefully the NCAA won't release the investigative report and sanctions until after national signing day. Doing so before hand may scare off some recruits. You have to believe that RR and the assistants are probably telling the recruits there is nothing to worry about. If there are major violations which are released prior to national signing day the coaching staff will have a difficult maintaining their creditability with the recruits.
maizenblue
Sun, Jan 17, 2010 : 8:36 p.m.
Please somebody tell me whats going on with this investigation. With if they announce major violations right before signing day! This would absolutely destroy this years recruiting class and the futures to come! The longer it takes the more I think this is really serious. Please does anybody know anything?
maizenblue
Sun, Jan 17, 2010 : 8:25 p.m.
Does anybody know whats going on with this investigation??? What if they come up with some major violations right before signing day! That would absolutely kill this recruiting class. The more this investigation carries on, the more I'm starting to think that this is something serious. I mean it would be nice if we could get some kind of information as to know how serious this really is