Michigan pursuing LJ too?

by JBusinger on Jan 8, 2009 1:35 PM EST Comment 14 comments

From today's Chicago Sun-Times:

Illinois is in discussions with Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson about becoming the new Illinois defensive coordinator, but Michigan also could be interested in hiring Johnson, sources said.

Does this tell us that LJ is actively looking to bolt. Seems awfully coincidental that he'd suddenly be linked to two different openings at Big Ten schools. If so, I guess that would make it a matter of when, and not if, he leaves.

LINK: http://blogs.suntimes.com/illini/2009/01/illini_eying_penn_state_assist.html

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Funny

That DC job in Michigan has been open for about a month now. RR is having a hard time filling it. Probably because he fired the last DC as the escapegoat. Everyone knows the offense was the problem with that team.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 8, 2009 1:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Defense

The UM Offense was expected to be bad this year, the D should have been the strong point. It was awful. Shafer was apparently not BFFs with the other guys on staff. I don’t think he did a fire-worthy job, but going in a different direction made sense on both ends.

Oh and he is “having a hard time filling” the job b/c there are potential candidates that were coaching in bowl games. But waiting to talk to them could indicate that RR has some integrity, so I’m sure that explanation was ruled out, right?

UM will likely be a 4-3 team next year, but will mix in 3-4 and potentially 3-3-5 looks. A lot will depend on the DC hire obviously. I would be surprised if LJ ends up there in any case.

by Wlvrn99 on Jan 8, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The D was your the strong point last year...

…such as it was.

And yes, any explanation that involved Rich Rodriguez having intergrity was ruled out first thing. Right before we ruled out that he might be waiting until after Christmas to interview Santa Claus.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Jan 8, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not buying the "integrity" angle

You telling me RR is letting his own recruiting suffer while his coaching staff is in flux just to be a nice guy to other programs? I’m not buying that one bit. When you see someone you want you go after them before someone else does.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 9, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Um

He was hired before the bowl games last year and didn’t hire his staff until after said bowls. And that situation was a whole lot more “in flux” than just replacing a DC this year.

I’m not saying he is waiting just to be a nice guy, just suggesting a third option to A) RR is a dirty coach-stealing wizard and B) No one likes him or wants to coach at UM.

by Wlvrn99 on Jan 9, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rumor is

Michigan offered Vanderlinden the DC job and he turned it down. Just message board chatters so TIFWIW.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 9, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

Is RichRod still set on that stupid 3-3-5 crap? Does LJ know anything about the 3-3-5?

"They haven't played us yet."

by ReadingRambler on Jan 8, 2009 1:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That crap...

Is one of the most effective defenses in stopping the spread…you just have to have some athletic safties…

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Jan 8, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ANOTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

News sources today are reporting that LJSr has also been asked by Tailgate Shogun to be the DC for his NCAA2008 game for PS2. TS was quoted as saying, “I just want to run the option with Clark and throw the ball deep.”

LJSr is expected to help diversify TS’s current defensive philosophy of running the nickel package with both LB’s blitzing inside on every play. Every single play.

by Tailgate Shogun on Jan 8, 2009 7:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs