Posted on Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 11:42 a.m.
Report: Michigan cornerback Cullen Christian will transfer to Pitt
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Cornerback Cullen Christian will transfer from Michigan to Pitt, according to a report from Scout.com.
Christian, who played in 10 games as a freshman last season, will be reunited with former Michigan assistant coach Tony Gibson, who landed at Pitt after Rich Rodriguez and his staff were fired in January. Gibson coaches the cornerbacks and is the recruiting coordinator. Former Michigan offensive coordinator Calvin McGee serves in the same role with Pitt. And former Michigan assistant Tony Dews also is on the Pitt staff as the tight end coach. Former Michigan cornerback Ray Vinopal also plans to join the Pitt program next season.
Comments
GoblueinNE_PA
Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 2:31 a.m.
I hate to see any of our kids leave. Doesn't matter who recruited them. I wish Christian the best of luck at Pitt or where ever he ends up finishing school.
trigg7
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 3:42 p.m.
Slam your players that leave, what class! Joke i mean Hoke sounds like a high school coach, have fun with that act, I'll give M 7th in BIG TEN at best,if everything goes right. Stop the OSU, MSU thing, you just wory about beating the lower level teams first. GOD knows you dont even have a QB! Maybe Mike Hart will spew some more quality comments. What a pos.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.
Hold on here. "Rip players" "Tongue lashing". Wow, I guess my attempt at humor, my 'chicken little' approach of another player from the 110th rated defense was leaving, was moving on, didn't mean the sky was falling. He is GIVING his scholarship back and leaving on his own. He wants to be with his 'old' coach so that means that Coach Hoke, Coach Mattison and/or Coach Borges can get a player who wants to play for THEM! But lets be realistic here, also. He wants out after spring practices so chances are he wasn't going to find fall camp very pleasant or rewarding. I didn't run this kid out of town. But I'm not going to throw a parade for him either. "Those who stay..." get my support. TiM Go Blue!
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 12:05 p.m.
"Me thinks no." Really! As I have stated many times I did NOT post on any web sites about Michigan football until last fall, some time after the UMass game, I believe. The three players you mentioned were gone way before that so 'me thinks' you're wrong. Go figure! (Full disclosure, I have been published in the newstand editions of the USA Today and the St. Petersburg Times, but not under 'Blu n Tpa' and not about college football.) TiM Go Blue!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
No, but the MCC, esp. Lorraine Steelan, ripped into 'em. Different standards for the MCC, I guess. Good Night and Good Luck
truebluefan
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 4:51 p.m.
I wonder if you think the same way about the Ryan Mallet, Toney Clemons or Justin Boren exits? Me thinks no.
OldBittyBates
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 3:06 a.m.
It saddens me that Michigan is having so much trouble hanging on to Cornerbacks. Does that mean the U of M Wolverines are going to have a hard time again this fall? My guess is it will be difficult to win against really great teams who can throw the ball. I wouldn't want to be in the coach position under these set of circumstances. Michigan will need to be really lucky to gain victory against the tough teams. Seems quite possible we will endure another RichRod type season. Coach Mattison is great and so is Brady Hoke, but we are looking for a miracle now.
Nic schweigert
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 12:21 a.m.
I second blu n tpa's thoughts. Oh no another db from last years team who didn't contribute and couldn't tackle is leaving. Oh no now we will have to replace him with someone that looks like they've actually played football before. Man I feel sorry for Pitt. Down to the basement of the Big East you go with that coaching staff
missionbrazil
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 6:49 p.m.
tbf, reading all of the comments, it seems there is only 1 on the warpath ... not the MCC or the "HMLC" ... but the tbf.
truebluefan
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 4:25 a.m.
It appears the HMLC is out in numbers tonight, and they're on the warpath. Hoo rah...amiright?
azwolverine
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.
I'm starting to get lost with all of these acronyms fans from both sides of the debate concerning the former coach throw around. HMLC? Don't know some of the other ones either, and I'm guessing it probably doesn't matter. That said, I'm not in favor of fans giving student/athletes a tongue lashing if they decide to transfer regardless of which coach or coaches they prefer over another. These are young kids who are still trying to find their way and sometimes it takes a little trial and error on their part (I know, I've been there) to get where they want to get. If he likes the coaches at Pitt and feels comfortable with them then, as some others have said, it's a win-win for both Michigan and the player. He'll get to work with coaches he's accustomed to and who know him, and Michigan parts with a player who didn't really want to be here. Do I think Gibson is the best DB coach to hone one's skills? Not at all, but that's irrelevant. I think it sends a bad message to the players still on the team, and potential recruits as well, if we fans always rip players who decide they want to go down a different path to better themselves. Anyway, that's my two-cents and I personally wish the kid well with his new situation.
truebluefan
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 11:31 p.m.
"Oh no, please not another DB from last year's team? What? Wait, last year's team and he wants to leave and give back his scholarship so Michigan can go get somebody who knows how to tackle or play tackle? Great, say "Hi" to your new coach who looks a lot like your old coach. Enjoy. See ya! TiM Go Blue!" CC was a true freshman last year. How about cutting the kid a little slack? He certainly doesn't deserve the disrespectful tongue lashing from "fans" like yourself. Then again, what else would I expect from the HMLC? And yes, it's true, kids that RR and staff recruited probably, you know, actually LIKED playing for Rich and staff. GASP! I know the HMLC must be completely dumb-founded by that realization.
truebluefan
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 2:37 a.m.
I can't speak for Lorain, but I never trashed Ryan Mallet for leaving. I did trash Justin Boren because he bad-mouthed the program on his way out and transferred to OSU.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 8:30 p.m.
"Do you find anything wrong with what Blu n Tpa stated?" You mean kinda like when Lorraine called Lloyd Carr's players lazy and out of shape? Or when Lorraine talked trash about Justin Boren and Ryan Mallett because they left the team? That kind of "calling out"? Personally, I'm not a fan of criticizing players, no matter the circumstance. They're just kids who are working under enormous pressure and whose every move is scrutinized and discussed. And they make their decisions for the reasons they make their decisions. I can only hope that their decisions will serve them well. But I do find it interesting how the MCC is OK with trash talking about players on Carr's teams and about the players that Carr left to the WCiMFH, but God forbid anyone criticize the players left behind by the WCiMFH. Just another example of MCC hypocrisy and logic. Good Night and Good Luck
missionbrazil
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 6:47 p.m.
truebluefan, I know how hard it is for you to let go, but your guy is gone ... move on already.
truebluefan
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
Different article, different topic, different post. Is it not? Do you find anything wrong with what Blu n Tpa stated? Anything? My guess is you'll find some way to excuse Blu n Tpa for shamelessly calling out a 18-19 year old kid. I understand though -- you can't have turmoil amongst the HMLC. Gotta maintain a unified front. CC is a RR recruit who left the team under Hoke's watch because he liked RR better. Therefore, looking at it from the HMLC's viewpoint, CC is much closer to the POS side of the spectrum than the MICHIGAN MAN side.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 4:06 p.m.
Thought you didn't want to talk about the WCiMFH? But you're the first to bring him up. MCC logic and hypocrisy at work. Good Night and Good Luck
heartbreakM
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 10:12 p.m.
No real surprise. I think the whole thing says a whole lot more about Cullen Christian than anything about Hoke and his program.
1st Down
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 10 p.m.
No great loss here. Pitt can have Tony Gibson and his players... and their defensive rank will drop in accordance.
truebluefan
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.
Note that the HMLC has still not had your back against the 'evil' MCC. Boo hoo.
1st Down
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 8:11 p.m.
boo hoo your lover boy went 6-18 in 3 years at Michigan in the BT with 10th, 9th and 7th place finishes capped off by a 52-14 killing vs. the 5th place SEC west team in the bowl game.... boo hoo
truebluefan
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.
I see many in the HMLC may be too embarrassed by your comment to back you up here, 1st Down. Or, maybe not. We shall see.
truebluefan
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 11:35 p.m.
Yep, this is about the level of maturity that one can expect out of the HMLC.
Captain Dave
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 7:31 p.m.
He was a Big East style of defensive player that wasn't very good in the Big Ten. He is going back to play for the Big East coaches that our last poor athletic director brought to Michigan to fail. I'm sure both will get to play and will do well in that weaker conference and be much happier than riding the bench at Michigan. Enjoy your Big East experience after your year rest. We wish you well as it was obvious your starting career was over with our new coaching staff and their improved defense.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
See, just like that you prove me right. Well writen, use of facts to support your post. Express knowledge of the past. I up voted you. Hope you can live with that. I agree coming out of HS he was well like and playing 10 games as a freshman would normally be a sign of good things to come. He had 5 solo tackles so that works out to a half a tackle per game played. Anyone think this year's Michigan defense is scarred by this transfer? RV, in my humble opinion, had a greater upside based on his play last fall. They both left and moved on. So should we. TiM Go Blue!
truebluefan
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.
CC was the 88th ranked player in the country per Rivals and made the Army All American team. He was our highest rated cornerback recruit in years. Maybe CC just liked Rich's staff more than the current regime? How many cornerbacks on Lloyd Carr's teams were able to step and make an impact as true freshmen? All Universe And Never Another CB Like Him Charles Woodson (thanks Gary Moeller)...and...that's about it.
81wolverine
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 6:51 p.m.
No surprise here. He probably felt more comfortable with the previous coaches. In any case, it sounds like from reports he wasn't performing that well anyway. So, it's best for both sides.
tulsatom
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 6:27 p.m.
Players decide to play for a certain team for a number of reasons. For some, like Mike Martin, it was growing up a fan of that team and wanting to play for them no matter who was coach. For others, it's a quality education at a top notch university or playing in front of 111,000 fans at the Big House. For others, it might be the helmet and the tradition that comes with U-M football. For Cullen Christian, it ostensibly was a personal bond with the previous coaching staff. It's normal to have a few of those type players in each recruiting class and you only find out about them when you have a coaching change.
Meangoblue
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 5 p.m.
I know this one guy at Dooley's bar in Ann Arbor and he said that Vinopal and Christian were leaving because COACH Hoke was going to suspend them both. I can't give my source or tell the details, but this guy is pretty solid. He sells vacuum cleaners. A return to MEEEEEEEEANchigan football is upon us! TiM! Go Blue! Oh yeah......Happy MEANday to all!
DonAZ
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 5:20 p.m.
I was all set to disbelieve your "source" ... until you said he sold vacuum cleaners. That locked it. :-)
DonAZ
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 4:42 p.m.
If memory serves, Christian Cullen is from that part of the country ... correct? Is part of this simply a desire to be back in familiar surroundings, with familiar people? If so, and if that's what he sincerely wishes, then more power to him.
Blu n Tpa
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
Oh no, please not another DB from last year's team? What? Wait, last year's team and he wants to leave and give back his scholarship so Michigan can go get somebody who knows how to tackle or play tackle? Great, say "Hi" to your new coach who looks a lot like your old coach. Enjoy. See ya! TiM Go Blue!
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 5:27 p.m.
I'm not computer smart but I can type. I have noticed some people seem to be getting tons of votes with three posts but anyone who deceives themselves to impress others are fools or liars. I will over look the comment about my post being up voted as you may not have intended to imply I was "gaming the system". I did not. As to my post it was to "mock" a second year player leaving and bringing down the 110th defense from last year. TiM Go Blue!
truebluefan
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 5:01 p.m.
"...mock pain and pretend panic that strikes the funny bone of others." LOL. OK. You must also write roast material for The Situation. Trust me, I have no hard feelings about CC leaving. I applaud him for being true to himself and I wish him nothing but the best of luck. And no, I didn't up-vote you, as if up-votes matter anyway. Just clear your browser cookies and you can vote for yourself as many times as you want. It's how the HMLC looks more popular than it really is.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 : 1:09 p.m.
tbf Me either. Possibly it's because I'm using mock pain and pretend panic that strikes the funny bone of others. I did mean to show that having the scholarship available to build up other parts of the team is the positive of this player leaving. Do you think he just wants to go home or that he wants to stay in his comfort zone, coaching wise? Since he made the choice to leave Michigan, there should be no hard feelings. TiM Go Blue! (tbf you didn't up-vote me here? I'll keep trying to earn your respect. As I have stated before, don't alway agree with you, but there's no doubt how you feel on things and I like the way you write.)
truebluefan
Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 11:39 p.m.
I cannot believe that this comment was up-voted 6 times! My God, some of our "fans" really DO need to get a life!