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Posted on Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 1:05 p.m.

Calvin Magee happy at Michigan, wants to be a head coach one day

By Dave Birkett

Calvin-Magee-012710.jpg

Calvin Magee had some interest in the South Florida head-coaching job this past winter, but is happy to be returning to Michigan.

AnnArbor.com file photo

Calvin Magee had mixed emotions earlier this year when he interviewed to become South Florida head coach.

Magee has deep ties to the school and wanted the job. He spent five seasons there as an assistant coach, lived near South Florida’s Tampa campus for 15 years, and trained at the school when he played for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But Magee was leery of leaving his post as Michigan offensive coordinator after two unfulfilling seasons.

“It was a good process to go through, but I’m kind of weird when it comes to that,” Magee said earlier this week. “I was kind of in between my feelings, because I hate unfinished things and I was excited about the returners we had coming back. That’s what was interesting about it is I kept saying, ‘Man, we’re about to do what we’re supposed to do here.’ So torn a little bit.”

Magee said South Florida officials contacted him about the job, and he was one of the first people to interview for a post that eventually went to Skip Holtz.

As part of his application, Magee submitted a 17-page proposal outlining the goals and principles he would follow as head coach. The submission included a proposed staff list that named several current Michigan assistants,including offensive line coach Greg Frey and receivers coach Tony Dews.

Now in his third stop as a college assistant, the 46-year-old Magee said he hopes to run his own program one day.

“That’s a goal for most assistants,” Magee said. “I don’t spend every waking day thinking about being a head coach though. I come to work to do my job and I honestly don’t think about that a whole lot, especially when I’m right in the middle of something.”

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

PortageLkBlu

Tue, Apr 13, 2010 : 7:42 a.m.

It's funny when you go back a few, Bo works for Both Ara and Woody then Bo goes to Mich. and both Ara and Woody are left scratching their heads. Coaches come and go it's all part of the entertainment. Try to remember this whole process right down to the game on Sat. is a process in providing you and me entertainment. It's a big puzzle that when all the pieces fit is very entertaining and I think RR and the Wolves are about to entertain us meaning this yr. the pieces will fit much closer and the next few years should be downright entertaining oh ya boys and girls downright entertaining and I don't think Calvin Magee wants to miss the show do you??

mgobluegold

Sun, Apr 11, 2010 : 11:20 a.m.

That is just part of the college coaching scene... Bo had assistants leave, a couple became head coaches... it is just in the blood, wanting to become a head coach... I don't believe it frustration or anything else by Magee... he sounds genuinely honest, and I believe he and the other coaches feel we're really close to breaking it out.

BowlForBlue

Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 3:23 p.m.

I think that though many might not see the purpose of a story like this, Mr. Birkett picks up on an interesting story. Whether or not what the unfaithful or outsiders say about Mr. Magee, he is a great coach. The most critical issue is, the replacement of Mr. Magee and what it would have done to this program. I appreciate Mr. Magee's honesty in this selection process, and believe his comments about wanting to stay at Michigan and the fact that Michigan - is ready to bust out!

Terry Star21

Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 3:03 p.m.

The fact that SFU contacted Magee first does show the respect colleges have for UM Football coaches, a tribute to RichRod and his crew. I would have thought that Fullmer was on the inside track followed by Holtz whom was eventually hired. Magee expressed interest in the head coaching job and I see no harm, those whom have coached, not as a head coach would feel the same. He always has said he is happy at Michigan and, '...man were about to do what we're suppose to do here...', and that is what the faithful want to hear.