Brady Hoke assembles experienced group of assistants on Michigan football staff

With nine years in college coaching, Montgomery is the least-experienced member of the staff. With 35 years of experience, defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is the most experienced.

By comparison, it’s a far more experienced staff than the first one Rich Rodriguez brought together during his first year in Ann Arbor.

Collectively, Rodriguez’s first staff had 144 years of experience in 2008, which averaged 16 per assistant. His most experienced was running backs coach Fred Jackson, who entered his 29th season at the time.

Hoke’s first staff is also more experienced than the current Ohio State group of assistants, who have 191 years of collective experience.

It’s harder to quantify exactly how that experience trickles down into on-field success, but it’s probably safe to generally say that more experience is better.

Here’s how Hoke’s staff breaks down:

Al Borges, offensive coodinator. Years experience: 28. First stop: Cal (1982). Greg Mattison, defensive coordinator. Years experience: 35. First stop: Illinois (1976).

Dan Ferrigno, special teams/tight ends. Years experience: 32. First stop: San Francisco State (1978).

Mark Smith, linebackers. Years experience: 29. First stop: Bowling Green (1982).

Curt Mallory, defensive backs. Years experience: 18. First stop: Michigan (1992).

Jerry Montgomery, defensive line. Years experience: 9. First stop: Iowa (2002).

Jeff Hecklinski, wide receivers. Years experience: 13. First stop: Benedictine (1998).

Darrell Funk, offensive line. Years experience: 23. First stop: Colorado State (1987).

Fred Jackson, running backs. Years experience: 32. First stop: Toledo (1979).