Posted on Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
Bob Davie says Michigan 'hit a home run' with Greg Mattison hire
By AnnArbor.com Staff
ESPN analyst Bob Davie was once Greg Mattison's boss when Davie was the head coach at Notre Dame. Today, Davie said "Michigan and Brady Hoke hit a home run" when they named Mattison the defensive coordinator.
On "College Football Live," Davie called Mattison a great recruiter and said he "develops players as well as any coach I've been around."
Comments
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Jan 22, 2011 : 10:14 p.m.
Dusty wrote: "Not exactly a solid indictment [sic] than [sic] 'defense wins championships' when used as an argument against those who think offense is also important." No one has said offense isn't important. But nice strawman, that. But we have pointed out the defensive DISASTER under whatshisname, and that no matter how explosive whatshisname's offenses might become (and they weren't there yet--41st in the NCAA in scoring in 2010), they NEVER were going to overcome a defense that couldn't stop Pioneer HS. How anyone but the most devoted lover of whatshisname could look at his defensive disaster an not be appalled is beyond me--and these frequently are the very same people who have complained about the "poor" defenses of Carr's last few years. Time to get off the whatshisname Kool Aid Good Night and Good Luck
shane smith
Sat, Jan 22, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
The new DC looked against the Steelers last week.21 to 7 1st quarter.Then roof caved in.I don't want to hera how good of coach he is.HE CHOKED IN A BIG GAME.With some pretty good players under him.Michigan football is almost the laughing stock of the Big Ten.You win with players.Get some Kids that can play first then Coach them up.Your 3 years away from maybe turning the corner in Football.You can't keep changing Coaches all the time.You WIN with 2 things in ALL OF FOOTBALL.Great OL,and Great DL.You have to be able to run,to win.Then stop the run,and pressure the QB.Ask Your Old Michigan QB Tom Brady about pressure last week.He looked like a Rookie.Remember you can't embrass a idot.
PortageLkBlu
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 5:16 p.m.
@shane, your facing this dilemma with a dose of reality Shane, I'm sure the instant Hoke groupies will not like hearing this kind of reality.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
Another thing, this theory that the first order of day is to win the big ten. Bo brought that theory of, we will win the big ten and then we go to the Rose Bowl. With the addition a few years ago of the BCS we can't always go to the Rose Bowl. Also, with the addition of Nebraska we now have a big ten championship game. I think other schools in the big ten like Ohio State and Nebraska are going to be thinking National Championship. I'm sure coach Jim Tressell thinks big. I like the idea of Mich. thinking big as in. BCS big. Some say, win the big 10 and everything else will take care of itself, I say strive for the big game (BCS) and everything else will take care of itself.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Jan 22, 2011 : 10:21 p.m.
John Cooper thought big every year, never understood the importance of the Michigan game, and hence seldom won the conference and never won the NC. Just like whatshisname, only whatshisname was never as successful as Cooper. Tressell, from day one, understood that the UM game was the most important on the schedule and that the road to the Big Ten Championship (and to a potential NC) ran through Ann Arbor. Hoke understands this, too. Even if some of the whatshisname KoolAid Krowd does not. Good Night and Good Luck
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.
Brady Hoke hasn't coached a down at Mich. as head coach. I will say it again for all you folks that are on your knees praying for a savior. Brady Hoke hasn't coached a down at Mich. as head coach. Now you boys and girls can project all the big ten championships and even National championships but there are a lot of great established big ten coaches and fans that will beg to differ with your projections of greatness before Brady Hoke has coached as head coach his first game at Michigan. Oh by the way, in case you all have forgotten Michigan will be playing the newest addition to the big ten, a so so school called Nebraska, oops!
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 5:47 a.m.
missionbrazil and #58ontheroster have said all that needs to be said. Michigan's D needs to go from 108th (or whatever) to the upper tier before the win-loss ratio tips Michigan's way. But Hoke brought in Mattison, a guy with proven results and top reputation on defense. Now we're seeing some good reaction from recruits: the overall situation looks better all the time. 2 weeks ago, we were all saying, "What's Brandon doing?" We were saying, "Who's Brady Hoke and why didn't he get Harbaugh or Miles?" Remember that? Well - D. Brandon seems to have had it right all along. Toot my own horn a bit: I said all along Brandon was showing all the signs of good executive ability and smarts. Michigan hired Brandon, Brandon hired Hoke and Hoke hires a solid staff with great recruiting histories. The Wolverines are going to change for the better in all respects. I think all the teams in the Big 10 will feel the effects, starting this season.
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 5:08 a.m.
Wow, just over a week and we're already seeing solid evidence that Coach Hoke knows what he's doing - and he loves Michigan. Before, it seemed that everything the Before Guy did left questions or turned into doubts and wait-and-see. New DC Mattison has a huge task, probably the biggest one of any including Hoke. If Mattison can't do it, then it can't be done and the Michigan D will be in rebuild for at least 2 more years. But even so, we're also seeing guys coming in who have great reps as recruiters. Looking at the commits responding so well is very encouraging also. Guys, I think our wait is over: we've finally got coaching we can all believe in at Michigan.
#58ontheroster
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 11 p.m.
Shane Smith, you're right. Football isn't brain surgery. It's really a simple game. But it takes blood and guts to play it. I also agree that Michigan needs more talent on defense. As you so eloquently stated any "idot" [sic] can coach a talented team. Do you need more than an "idot" [sic] to coach a marginally talented team? My guess is that getting rid of that 3-3-5 defense will immediately move Michigan up to about a #60 overall defense. A great improvement. Teach (coach) the players to keep gap discipline and tackle better, and you move up some more. Make them tougher (an attitude adjustment) and you not only move up more. You put fear in the other team and intimidate them. In the games I watched this last season, every time Michigan ran the 4-3-4 defense, they stopped the run and got pressure on the QB. Unfortunately, RR wanted the 3-3-5 defense to be used primarily, so we didn't play the 4-3-4 defense much. Sometimes it's the "idots" [sic] with their schemes that ruin players and defenses.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
We shall see, we know one thing for sure if coach Hoke doesn't win and soon the, "Michigan faithful" will turn on him like snakes. These modern day fans want instant satisfaction it's a way of life in this country. The, "good ol days" when Bo coached, win 10 games lose the bowl was acceptable, not anymore. Take your kid to the mall and try to buy him or her an offbrand of cheap running shoes, it ain't gonna fly. Differant era, differant attitude. The fans are obsessed with instant gratification and not a lot of patience comes with that attitude. Coach Hoke better win big and fast, big as in Nebraska and Ohio State.
Blu-n-Tpa
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 10:44 p.m.
@s.smith Hey, buddy you just wake up from a coma? If you don't think coaching counts what do you call the last 3 years? Also, players go to good programs that, gasp, have good coaches. And, if the coach has only been on the job for a couple of weeks and he's in the "can not sign yet" period until Feb 2nd, what are his options? But why do I think you already know that? These coaches will get players soon, and next year, and the year after that. Plus, we have players who can't wait to be allowed to play "up" as soon as they are coached "up". Maybe you need to take another nap and wake up during spring practice. Go Blue.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 5:50 p.m.
I take that back Coach Hoke has shown an average to good success rate at the little league schools. I think he will find the big ten, well let me ask you Blu tpa, are you awake, so I'm assuming you think he'll find the big ten easier? Oh forget I asked, go back to sleep.
shane smith
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
I don't care how good of coach he is,he better get some players,and fast.The defense is terrible,can't even tackle,or run.You can't make chicken salad out of chicken $$$$.New coaches=New formations,New this New that.Get somebody that can play,and a idot can coach them.It really is that simple.This is not brain surgey,ITS FOOTBALL.
missionbrazil
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
In the last 8 seasons, 6 of the 8 BCS champions had a D that was rated in the top 6 or better in the nation (scoring), and this included 2 # 1's and a # 2. The others were rated # 53 (Auburn 2010) and # 20 (LSU 2007). Some of these teams had a very good offense and some had an ok offense. Auburn (#53 D) is the exception and not the rule. One interesting thing about their D is that they got better late in the game, and only allowed 3.7 points per game in the 4th quarter, and they shut out 5 teams in the 4th quarter (4 of these were close games). In the 13 year history of the BCS championship games, the team whose D stopped the other team won the game. The only shootout in the 13 games was the Texas-USC 41-38 game. Solid D won the championship games. In this year's NFL playoffs, the remaining 4 teams are rated the # 1, # 2, # 4, and # 6 scoring defenses (Mr. Mattison had the # 3 D this year). Only 1 team (Green Bay) has an offense rated in the top 10 (scoring).
missionbrazil
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.
In the last 8 seasons, 6 of the 8 BCS champions had a D rating of 6th or better (scoring) in the nation, including 2 # 1's and a # 2. To say that only the offense counts is obviously in error. Some of these teams had a very good offense too, but the defense won the championship. Auburn # 53 D , # 6 O Alabama # 1 D , # 27 O Florida # 5 D , # 3 O LSU # 20 D , # 12 O Flordia # 6 D , # 32 O Texas # 5 D , # 1 O USC # 2 D , # 7 O LSU # 1 D , # 14 O In the championship games the team that shut down the other team with good D won. The only shootout in the 13 year BCS history was the USC-Texas 41-38 game. Auburn seems to be the exception and not the rule. One interesting thing about Auburn is that their D got better as the game went on, and they only allowed 3.7 pts. per game in the 4th quarter, and they shut out 5 teams in the 4th quarter (4 of which were close games).
missionbrazil
Sat, Jan 22, 2011 : 1:22 p.m.
Nice try Dusty. Throw out Aubrun's # 53 rated D, which I already identified as the exception, and the average D rating for the remaining years is 5.7 ; 11.6 is definitely not indicative of the D's of the BCS champion teams. Without a very good D you will not win the BCS championship. Also, how would you argue against the fact that the top 4 remaining NFL teams in the playoffs have D's that are rated #1, #2, #4, and # 6 , and only 1 team (Green Bay) has an offense that is in the top 10 ?
Dusty
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 11:57 p.m.
So the last 8 BCS champions have an average national defensive ranking of 11.6. The average national ranking of the offenses is 12.75. Not exactly a solid indictment than "defense wins championships" when used as an argument against those who think offense is also important.
missionbrazil
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
Ghost, silly of me, I know.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 7:45 p.m.
Mission: You are apparently under the misapprehension that actual FACTS matter to the Kool Aid crowd. Good Night and Good Luck
#58ontheroster
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
All I said was that you only need an adequate offense with a great defense. Of course I want a great offense, too. I want to win every game Michigan plays. Sometimes the offense has to take the load and win when the defense is having a bad game. Most of the time a great defense with an adequate offense will win. Michigan needs to be good in all THREE phases of the game. Improvement on special teams is of great necessity. We need a kicker who can kick a 50 yard field goal with 3 seconds left in the game to win. Michigan's had them in the past. I don't see why they can't get one now. I've met RichRod and I think he's a good guy. That said, it'll be a long time before I forgive him for what he did to the team. He's destroyed the defense. In 2008, he inherited 7 starters from a pretty good defense that beat Teabow the Invincible in the Capitol One Bowl. He brought in that 3-3-5 garbage defense and literally destroyed them. Yesterday, I left off a team that beat Michigan with a good defense... MSU. Mississippi State. Remember, we can't win the National Championship unless we win the Big 10.
Dusty
Sat, Jan 22, 2011 : 12:01 a.m.
"In 2008, he inherited 7 starters from a pretty good defense that beat Teabow the Invincible in the Capitol One Bowl". They won that game on offense. Carr opened the playbook like never before and outscored Tebow, putting up over 500 yards It wasn't a defensive effort that won that game.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
Another small point, I've sat in that darn Rose Bowl several times and watched our great defenses handled by USC and others and when that happens we better have a great offense to compensate for our defense. Michigan has had some great defenses but usually adequate to good offenses. Great defense and great offense now that's the key in this era of football.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 2:07 p.m.
You are right #58 about the defense issue if they can't score etc. etc. but we also need that great offense then we go beyond the big 10 and we start taking on the Alabama's, Florida's, USC etc. in the bowl games. To beat up the big ten is good stuff but then we go to the bowl game and it's like releasing a full balloon, very deflating, ya defense is the key but a great offense is the key note.
tulsatom
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.
While Bob Davie is a little biased, I agree it was a good hire.
BillMK
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 5:14 a.m.
Very good news. BH is assembling a very talented staff, experienced guys who will fit together well as a team. I can't wait to hear the sound of 113,000 fans cheering the pancakes and hits!
truebluefan
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 3:37 a.m.
I agree. It was a home run hire. Greg Mattison was the DC when I was a student at UM. We had tough, physical defenses back then that knew how to tackle and punish the opposing offense. I am very excited about this hire. I have been really skeptical about Hoke and DB until now. Michigan is well positioned going forward. Go Blue!
amaizenblueballs
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 3:31 a.m.
@ #58ontheroster Agree with your passion for defense and smash mouth football. You have at least twice questioned Theo's reference to crystal. He means the National Championship trophy. To win this crystal you need to be exceptional in all facets of the game. I believe we have a better chance now for this balance now both in recruiting and coaching.
Keith
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 2:26 a.m.
I am going to enjoy our new "Hit and Stop" Defense this year. For the Class of 2011 Recruiting Class, Current Players, Coaches old and new...GO BLUE... We Support You
michboy40
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 2:22 a.m.
I don't think Hoke could have done any better for a DC. I bet he took a hit on his salary to get Mattison signed.
Dusty
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 3:27 a.m.
I bet he didn't...
#58ontheroster
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
I'm sorry that I have to correct at least one of you again. DEFENSE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OFFENSE. Haven't you learned that over the last 3 years? You are giving the impression that you know nothing about football. One concept that Bo taught us was that "If the other team can't score, they can't win." Maybe you didn't see some of the same games I saw in 2010. Iowa, Wisconsin, Penn State, MSU, and that school in Ohio held Michigan's super duper high flying side to side offense in check. We had these undersized players on offense because they were supposedly really fast. They spend more time and energy running from sideline to sideline than towards the goal line. The read option. RichRod was a proponent of offense being more important than defense, AND GOT FIRED. You win games and championships with smash mouth, aggressive defense. All you need is an adequate offense. Even RichRod's offensive line was undersized and not smash mouth. He had them zone blocking. Just get in someone's way. They didn't even get their jerseys dirty. Offensive, as well as defensive, linemen should come out of a game with the bridge of their nose bleeding, their knuckles bleeding, and fire in their eyes. Its a brutal game meant to be played by brutal men. Its not basketball on grass. Football is the same game it was 50 years ago. Blocking, tackling, running and passing. Not even the spread was new. In the 1940s it was called the single wing. And what the heck is this talk about crystal when we're talking football? Crystal breaks easy...
Dusty
Sat, Jan 22, 2011 : 12:02 a.m.
Ohio State zone blocks... Telll me more about how zone blocking doesn't work in the Big Ten. I love hearing it.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 4:32 p.m.
"You do know the Denver Broncos won two Super Bowls and made a few mediocre tailbacks look like all-pros by zone blocking, right?" Yes, and a stopped clock is right twice a day, too. The question is not what worked twice for the Denver Broncos (who had, BTW, one of the best QBs in NFL history, a fact that opened up the run game). The question is what works typically. Zone blocking didn't work so well with RichRod's teams when they came up against strong, physical teams. But go ahead, Dusty. Argue with #58. I'm certain YOU know more about the game of football than someone who played for Michigan for three seasons. Good Night and Good Luck
Dusty
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 3:30 a.m.
And the "crystal" he stalking about is the BCS national championship trophy, the crystal football. But being a Michigan fan, of course you'd have no clue what that is.
Dusty
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.
You do know the Denver Broncos won two Super Bowls and made a few mediocre tailbacks look like all-pros by zone blocking, right? There's nothing wrong with zone blocking. At all. Give it a rest.
heartbreakM
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 1:49 a.m.
Just love that hire!! Davie is right. And it is telling if you read between the lines of what Mattison, Hoke, Brandon, the old players, and even to an extent the current players are saying regarding the problems that former coach had. Even though Hoke said the right things about him, it does not sound like there was much respect for his coaching style around the Michigan camp. I think Mattison is the key, and always felt like they let one get away with him leaving. And Davie is right on one more thing: The chemistry will be great. Won't have those shenanigans of head coach and DC not seeing eye to eye.
azwolverine
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 1:42 a.m.
Heck yeah, this was a home run! It's time to get back to playing some Michigan D! Mattison held the Bucks to 82 total yards in the NC game against Florida a few years back, not to mention having been part of a defensive staff that owned the Bucks at UM. Having Al Borges on the offensive side doesn't hurt, either. This looks to be a top notch, well rounded staff that will coach up our guys and put out a team that is strong in all phases of the game. Go Blue!
StarZone
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
Tater, when Mattison was ND's defense coordinator, Michigan went 2-1 against The Fighting Irish. The year ND beat Michigan, ND went 9-3. I wouldn't call that neutralizing Michigan's offense with mediocre talent. Looks like Mattison spent some time a DL coach there afterward for whatever reason. During that time Michigan lost two close games, but then UM won a 38-0 game as well. Your argument doesn't seem to have much merit.
clarklaker
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
theo, You my friend are in denial. Time to move on from the RR era.Let it go come on board and support our new staff. I for one enjoy your poems.GO BLUE.
tater
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
Mattison was quite frustrating at ND. He knew how to neutralize Lloyd Carr's offense, and helped a couple of inferior ND teams beat Michigan due to his familiarity with that offense. ND always seemed like they were ready for every play Carr ran during those years. I was very happy to see him go to FL. If we're lucky and David Brandon was actually telling the truth about at least one thing during the so-called "coaching search," maybe the days of underpaid UM assistants jumping to ND are over.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 3:05 p.m.
Good post Tater, the reality is, "money talks".
Keith
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 1:06 a.m.
This is a awesome news, Great Hire. Players sign-up, LETS GO D Hey, GR Take Notes.....
Theo212
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 1:04 a.m.
"Home run" and "defense" have no place in the same sentence. Oregon and Auburn, and every winning team for that matter, are successful by employing an offense first mentality. DB, you at least owe this to us: Let Our King sit up in the box and call the offensive plays in '11. Hoke and all them other guys can deal with the rest of it. When offense comes first, Crystal dreams shalln't burst.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 3:09 p.m.
Right on Theo, sometimes our vaunted defenses get stopped has happened often in bowl games that's when a great offense takes over and wins the game.
ThoseWhoStayUofM
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 12:45 a.m.
This just makes me like Brady Hoke so much more. I don't think Jim Harbaugh has the same kind of connections Hoke has and I, from the start, may have underestimated how important "who you know" really is. I can't believe I'm saying this but Brady Hoke may have been the best guy for the job above Jim Harbaugh and Les Miles. This really makes me question whether or not Hoke was the guy David Brandon wanted all along.