Scott Shafer Out as Wolverines Coordinator by Jeff Contizano (Scribe) Breaking News December 16, 2008
With a senior-laden defense that was expected to carry the team this season, Scott Shafer had it all planned out.
Unfortunately things didn't work out as he planned. In a statement released early Tuesday by the University, and Head Coach Rich Rodriguez, Defensive Coordinator Scott Shafer has resigned, effective immediately.
"Scott and I agreed that moving in a different direction was in the best interest of the program," said coach Rich Rodriguez. "I appreciate Scott's hard work on behalf of Michigan football the past year. He is a good football coach, a good person and a true professional. We wish him well in the future."
While the move comes as no surprise to Michigan fans, (who saw Michigan drop to 68th in total defense), it now leaves Rodriguez with no defensive coordinator.
Michigan ranked 48th (nationally) against the run, and 87th against the pass. Too many times were Michigan players caught of out position, most importantly on 3rd down. Whether or not Shafer is to be blamed for this, the change has been made.
There are, however, many very solid options out there available for Michigan to consider.
McGuffie is gone, but not for anything having to do with last year. He is transferring a school right near his home because he has 2 very sick siblings. He said that he would like to stay at Michigan, but just can't due to the circumstances.
Also, the reason he didn't play much near the end of the year was because he had 3 separate concussions over the course of the season, and so he could not play much due to potentially getting another, as consecutive concussions can cause serious health risks.
Saturday, January 3, 2009 Cass Tech's Campbell picks U-M Sam Webb / Special to The Detroit News
SAN ANTONIO -- For a young man whose destiny seemed to be a foregone conclusion a few months ago, Detroit Cass Tech star William Campbell did an outstanding job of injecting uncertainty and uneasiness into the hearts and minds of scores of college football fans.
Leading up to Saturday's Army All-American game, Michigan, LSU and Miami (Fla.) were waiting for the five-star lineman's third-quarter announcement. Only those who cheer for the Wolverines wound up celebrating the outcome.
Campbell is the No. 4-rated defensive tackle in the nation, according to the recruiting Web site Scout.com. He originally committed to Michigan but in September decided to rescind his commitment and said he would be visiting other schools.
That Campbell wound up recommitting to coach Rich Rodriguez's program came as a surprise to many recruiting observers, but that was a product of skillful misdirection on Campbell's part. Bland remarks about official visits combined with the release of a list of finalists devoid of Michigan earlier this week fueled rampant speculation about what he would do.
It was the suspense in his recruitment he had sought. But the intrigue he had so desired came at a price. It seemed everyone he ran into had a question or some advice about what he should do.
No Threet means U-M is starting over at QB By MARK SNYDER • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • February 17, 2009
When Steven Threet decided to leave Michigan this week, he ensured an unusual experience.
Though he has played only one season, by the time he arrives at his third school this summer, he will have been in college for 2 1/2 years. But that's the nature of playing quarterback: Few situations unfold as you would imagine.
U-M coach Rich Rodriguez keeps learning that lesson.
Threet's departure leaves the Wolverines in a similar position to where they began last year, with two untested quarterbacks trying to learn from scratch. This time might be harder, as both will be true freshmen.
While Tate Forcier, who already is enrolled to participate in spring practice, and Denard Robinson, who will arrive this summer, probably have more talent for Rodriguez's system than Threet and junior Nick Sheridan, the position requires considerable study and practice.
Just watching the QBs' pitches and handoffs early last year demonstrated it.
But with Sheridan the only returning QB with significant experience -- and his early-season decision making did not inspire confidence -- Rodriguez and quarterbacks coach Rod Smith basically will have to start over, making last year a major loss.
Michigan already has three committed for the 2010 class By JOSH HELMHOLDT • FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER • February 17, 2009
This time last year, Michigan had just one verbal commitment out of the junior class of football recruits and that was Detroit Cass Tech defensive tackle William Campbell who had committed when Lloyd Carr was still the head coach.
This year, Rich Rodriguez and company are ahead of that pace with three verbal commitments – all from wide receivers. The play of Michigan’s wide receiver corps was less than stellar this past fall and outside receivers Greg Mathews and LaTerryal Savoy are set to graduate following the 2009 season, so the Wolverines have addressed a need with the three early commitments from receivers.
Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips wide receiver Ricardo Miller was the first class of 2010 prospect to pledge his services to Michigan, doing so on Sept. 29, 2008. The 6-3, 210-pound Miller partook in Michigan’s summer camp last June and immediately accepted an offer from the Wolverines even though schools like Florida, Tennessee and Stanford had also offered.
Miller is a big, physical and athletic wide receiver in the mold of former Michigan greats Braylon Edwards and David Terrell. His size for a junior wide receiver is exceptional, but he also has the ability to turn short passes into long gains. As a junior he totaled 34 receptions for 618 yards and eight touchdowns. Rivals.com listed Miller as one of their top 250 to watch in the class of 2010 last fall.
Forbes.com: Ann Arbor is the nation's top college sports town FREE PRESS STAFF REPORTS • February 13, 2009
Forbes.com recently released its list of the top college sports towns in America. Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan, ended up No. 1 on the list. Ann Arbor beat out Palo Alto, Calif., home to Stanford, and Madison, Wis., home to the University of Wisconsin, to claim the top prize. An excerpt from the Forbes.com story:
The University of Michigan is most famous for its football team, the Wolverines, who play in the packed confines of the Big House, a stadium that holds 106,201 fans. Of course, with the way the Wolverines played this past season (their record was 3-9), it's surprising that many people flocked to the stadium every Saturday.
Loyalty might explain it, though maybe it's just fans' motivation to visit Ann Arbor before and after the football game. Who can blame them? The small city of 114,000 boasts top-flight restaurants and bars, a symphony and ballet, as well as museums and concert halls hosting national-level entertainment.
And what full-time residents also know: Ann Arbor has great public schools, low crime and affordable housing. Not surprisingly, it all adds up to the highest rank on our list of best college towns.
Forbes.com: Ann Arbor is the nation's top college sports town FREE PRESS STAFF REPORTS • February 13, 2009
Forbes.com recently released its list of the top college sports towns in America. Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan, ended up No. 1 on the list. Ann Arbor beat out Palo Alto, Calif., home to Stanford, and Madison, Wis., home to the University of Wisconsin, to claim the top prize. An excerpt from the Forbes.com story:
The University of Michigan is most famous for its football team, the Wolverines, who play in the packed confines of the Big House, a stadium that holds 106,201 fans. Of course, with the way the Wolverines played this past season (their record was 3-9), it's surprising that many people flocked to the stadium every Saturday.
Loyalty might explain it, though maybe it's just fans' motivation to visit Ann Arbor before and after the football game. Who can blame them? The small city of 114,000 boasts top-flight restaurants and bars, a symphony and ballet, as well as museums and concert halls hosting national-level entertainment.
And what full-time residents also know: Ann Arbor has great public schools, low crime and affordable housing. Not surprisingly, it all adds up to the highest rank on our list of best college towns.
Forbes.com: Ann Arbor is the nation's top college sports town FREE PRESS STAFF REPORTS • February 13, 2009
Forbes.com recently released its list of the top college sports towns in America. Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan, ended up No. 1 on the list. Ann Arbor beat out Palo Alto, Calif., home to Stanford, and Madison, Wis., home to the University of Wisconsin, to claim the top prize. An excerpt from the Forbes.com story:
The University of Michigan is most famous for its football team, the Wolverines, who play in the packed confines of the Big House, a stadium that holds 106,201 fans. Of course, with the way the Wolverines played this past season (their record was 3-9), it's surprising that many people flocked to the stadium every Saturday.
Loyalty might explain it, though maybe it's just fans' motivation to visit Ann Arbor before and after the football game. Who can blame them? The small city of 114,000 boasts top-flight restaurants and bars, a symphony and ballet, as well as museums and concert halls hosting national-level entertainment.
And what full-time residents also know: Ann Arbor has great public schools, low crime and affordable housing. Not surprisingly, it all adds up to the highest rank on our list of best college towns.
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