Michigan football coach Brady Hoke expects Al Borges, staff to return next season
The Michigan football team's offensive coordinator, Al Borges, has been lauded this season for adopting his pro-style offense to the talent he inherited -- most notably, quarterback Denard Robinson.
He was wildly successful forging a hybrid offense he likes to call the "spread-West Coast," which borrows from the two systems, and it powered the Wolverines to 235.7 yards per game and 34.2 points per game, second in the Big Ten.
So successful, in fact, Borges' name has surfaced as a possible candidate for several openings. Most recently, The Gainesville Sun named him as one of five leading candidates for Florida's offensive coordinator job, which opened up Thursday night after Charlie Weis accepted the Kansas head coaching job.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke, though, said on Friday he expects his staff to return intact next year.
"Yeah, I do," Hoke said. "I’m sure if there was anything, they would approach me about it.”
Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges has been mentioned as a candidate for several open coaching positions.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
However, at 62 years old and with family in the area, Mattison is expected to be at Michigan for the foreseeable future. It would be not be surprising if he finished his career in Ann Arbor.
Conversely, defensive line assistant Jerry Montgomery has become a rising name in coaching circles, despite being only 31 years old. He is considered by some to be the best future head coaching candidate among Michigan's assistants.
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Jerry Montgomery
"I just couldn't turn down that opportunity," Montgomery said in a recent interview with AnnArbor.com, adding he loves Michigan and Ann Arbor, and is looking forward to coaching next year's defensive line. He'll have work to do, after it is gutted by the departure of senior stalwarts Mike Martin, Ryan Van Bergen and Will Heininger.
"I’m blessed, in a sense, to be where I’m at," Montgomery said. "Two great position coaches, who coach the position I played. ... I learn something new form those guys every day. It’s been really good for me."
Borges, though, remains the hot name nationally.
When asked earlier this year about whether he would want to be a head coach, after reports surfaced indicating he could be a candidate for the top job at New Mexico, Borges said "that is the furthest thing from my mind right now."
Hoke was asked after the regular-season finale against Ohio State whether Borges would be interested in a head coaching vacancy.
“I don’t know," Hoke said. "I don’t know. If he does, good. If he’s interested, I mean, that’s all right.”
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
cutty240
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
Al Borges leaving,really who wants him.His play calling cost Michigan the Michigan State Game,and the Iowa game.Believe me,nobody will come calling for ANY MICHIAGN COACHES.Al is just working Brady for a raise.He'd better worry about the VT defense.How come the Ann-Arbor has nothing about Brandon THE PIZZA MAN.talking about the NCAA letting Ohio State and the extra Coaches for the Bowl Game.Just like i told a couple of weeks,URBAN MEYER IS ALREADY IN MICHIGAN'S HEAD.Worry about THE BOWL GAME.BRANDON don't worry about things you can't control.Jim Delany Needs Ohio State for The Big Ten,,with all thats going on with Penn State.He knows Michigan got a gift this Year.With all those Cup Cakes you played.Worry about your Team.You can't AD both Schools,and the NCAA.I have always heard that about Brandon.HE THINKS HE'S THE GENERAL MANGAER OF THE WORLD.
Blu n Tpa
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 : 12:35 p.m.
I like my cupcakes with fudge icing. And I like my buckeyes not at all. Good luck with that less than honest coach. Someone reported that he was overheard saying somethiing about missing the family dog. I'm just saying.
azwolverine
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 : 1:59 a.m.
Hey, we only played one cupcake all year, and that was OSU. After their loss to Purdue, UM completely overlooked them and almost let an inferior opponent (inferior to Purdue to be sure) catch us sleepwalking. Fortunately UM was so overwhelmingly better that we overcame the "cupcake syndrome" and were able to overcome OSU"s best game against our worst and still win. Other than OSU, though, there were no other cupcakes.
ted
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 4:31 a.m.
I hope Borges leaves.
15crown00
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 11:01 p.m.
RR returning?That's the best yet. Most of the coaches will be back but they only move up if they move on.
MRunner73
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 5:30 p.m.
Borges is winning over the hearts and minds of the fans. I would love to see him stay.
Forever27
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 5:20 p.m.
from everything i've read Borges likes being OC and has no desire for any HC position.
RWBill
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.
I think I'm stealing someone's coined phrase there. I should include WCiMFH - trademark.
RWBill
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 2:07 p.m.
One of the genius moves Brady Hoke made while forming this staff was in picking 2 coordinators who love to be coordinators. I don't know if Borges has that burning desire to be a HC somewhere, otherwise he would have been one by now, many times. He loves to doodle and draw up plays, he loves working up offensive plays. I don't think he wants the hassles, and restrictions, of being a head coach, especially at his age. G Mattison is of a similar character and mind set, only on the defensive side. Neither fit the typical mold of the coordinator who is just trying to build his resume to get a shot at being a HC at a succession of MAC and progressive schools to one day land in a top BCS conference. And the fact that Brady locked up these two individuals, plus significantly improved a recruiting class that only had 12 verbals just 3 weeks from signing day, is a great testament to his abilities and reputation, and the Michigan brand that most still believed in, even after the WCiMFH.
DonAZ
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 3:30 p.m.
Excellent points.
A2comments
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
something new form?
michboy40
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 5:33 a.m.
Drob will be in NCY this time next year!
Terry Star21
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
I think Borges will look forward to the challenge coming in 2013 of running his and Hoke's pattened style offense. Mattison will stay because of his success and his great support. Why in the world would any three of these coaches want to leave - they are the best and they are at the absolute best football program in America. They should be up for serious raise incentives after leading Michigan to a $17,000,000 bowl payout (while the complainers up north settled for a $3,500,000 bowl payout). Look for our three heros, the best in college football - to stay the term. MgoBlueForTiM........the best coaches at the best football program.
Terry Star21
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.
15crown; Football Final, Dec. 3, 2011 Michigan 17 (million bowl payout) michigan state 3 (million bowl payout)
15crown00
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 11:04 p.m.
the backed in team at the backed in bowl.You're right though they will all probably stay.
heartbreakM
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 1:07 a.m.
I think Hoke and Borges (and Hoke and Mattison) are long time friends and colleagues. It would surprise me a lot if Borges made a lateral move away from Hoke. And as it appears that Michigan is on the upswing, this coaching staff probably has a great deal of motivation to stay together for part of that. I think just as all of us crazy fans have bought into the idea that Michigan is an outstanding institution and football program (historically), the coaching staff and especially Hoke as its leader bought in also. Go blue.
Blu n Tpa
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 : 12:27 p.m.
But coaches do base a lot of career decisions on who is where and where where is. Coach Mattison stated so when he came to Michigan last winter. Maybe you missed it. He left the pros because BH (the who) was the new HC at Michigan (the where). We don't ask you to be right all the time but please try to make it challenging. TiM Go Blue!
rightmind250
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 3:40 a.m.
Heartbreak, Did you make your career decisions based on where your friends were? I didn't think so. It's not like Hoke and Borges are roomies.
Terry Star21
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 2:18 a.m.
That was a good point - I too believe these three are very close and very good friends. From my viewpoint (not always the best) they seem to get along very well - yet are very easy to deal with (coach-coach-coach).
Tally10
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 12:34 a.m.
I agree DonAZ, If it's not a quality HC job, I don't see AB making a lateral move to Florida. Like you said, he has another year with DR, one of the best duel-threat QBs of all NCAA times, plus, returning all but one ( Hemmingway ) starting playmaker from this year's team, and gain Stonum. Next year's offense has the ability to be electric. If you look at the season DR finished with after the struggles, injuries and changes, his season last year, and if he out performs this season next year, he will have crazy NCAA stats and will probably be the leading Heisman candidate. Passing: 2500+, 2000+ = 4500+ Rushing: 1700+, 1100+ = 2800+ If he repeats this year, next year - Passing: 6500+, Rushing: 3900+, that's 10,400+ years of total offense in 3 years, plus about 80 - 90 TDs. That's an OC's dream player and offense.
Terry Star21
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
And impressive is, our coaches waited until the season was over to let on with his injuries - this 'The Michigan Way' !
azwolverine
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
I hope Borges comes back! Not only for continuity sake, but he did a fantastic job utilizing the talent on hand and molding an offense around it. Getting Toussaint involved in the offense this season was HUGE. We were finally able to put up big numbers not only against the BGSU's and Indiana's of the world, but against the Nebraska's and OSU's as well. With another full year to work with Denard and this offense...wow! It should be lights out!
Jarhead
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
I gotta agree. What I like about this coaching staff is the willingness to adjust during the season. After saying at the beginning of the year that they would not run Denard more than 14 times a game, they found, by the latter part of the season, that if they ran him 20-30 times, our offense was more potent and harder to defend. And finding a feature back in Fitz gave linebackers all they could handle. Here's to a great bowl game performance!
Terry Star21
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 2:21 a.m.
And Az, I think that is why he'll be back, plus the challenge of running the system he really believes in in 2013 !
rightmind250
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 12:01 a.m.
Geez, that's a real flattering pick of Borges. UM must be spending a fortune just to feed their coaches.
Blu n Tpa
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
rm250 Good thing he uses his brain to coach football. At least he uses his. Don't we wish everybody did?!
rightmind250
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 3:32 a.m.
Mrunner73 I am sorry Mrunner I didn't know you were over weight also. It must be something in the water in AA. I was just simply stating the obvious.
MRunner73
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.
Making comments about a person's size or weight is unfortunate. I wonder if it makes such people feel better.
Rufus
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
It's an unbelievable photo.
DonAZ
Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.
Can't see Borges leaving OC at Michigan for OC at Florida. Plus, he's got another year with Denard to consider ... based on his second half improvement his upside for 2012 could be something special.
rightmind250
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 3:37 a.m.
I agree Don. Borges has the most dynamic player in college football right now. It's not a good time to leave. He just spent a season trying to get a read on the abilities of Denard. He has a chance for a realy good year in 2012. He is also 56 years old. Most program's (Michigan excluded) want a younger head coach they can build a future around.
Terry Star21
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 2:24 a.m.
Sorry Don - I meant his style in 2013 !
Terry Star21
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 2:23 a.m.
And also running his 'style offense' 100% in 2012. He Be Back !
MichFanTex
Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.
Blu, it reads like something from Outer Limits.
Blu n Tpa
Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 10:16 p.m.
(Don't hate me for this, I couldn't resist) In this evenings news Coach Borges has agreed to take the Head Coaching job at University of Arizona after RiCH Rod agreed to return to Michigan as the OC. RR stated that "his players" just missed him too much! 100,000 Michigan fans just fainted, dead away, This is NOT Michigan! This is science fiction, in the sports world.
D21
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 3:41 p.m.
Amen Blu n Tpa, amen. If we played tennis at Wimbledon, it would last forever. GO BLUE! TiM
Blu n Tpa
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 3:25 a.m.
DXXI Good return of serve. I enjoyed the responses to the Arizona sound bites so much I just wanted the fun to last. Hey, is it just me or are there several hundred thousand Michigan fans feeling pretty good about the state of Michigan Football right now? What a difference a year makes. (Men's and women's BB are doing really well also.) Happy Holidays Wolverine Nation. TiM Go Blue!
D21
Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 10:56 p.m.
Unfortunately for RR when Hoke fired him right away after RR badgered Mattison to use RR's infamous 3-3-5 scheme and plays. A maize n blue happy ending! :)