Bob Shoop – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Why Michigan’s new coaching hires are home runs

While the Wolverines sacrificed overall recruiting prowess, there’s a lot to like about the two new coaching additions in Ann Arbor.

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Michigan made a duo of coaching hires official on Saturday, with former Mississippi State/Tennessee/Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop taking over the safeties role and former USF defensive coordinator/Texas linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator Brian Jean-Mary taking over the linebackers vacancy.

Both are home runs from different standpoints.

With Shoop, he’s got more than 30 years of coaching experience and has been a longtime defensive coordinator. While he doesn’t have much prowess in the recruiting department, he brings fresh eyes to a defense that needs — something — given the lopsided losses to Ohio State the past two years. Though the Bulldogs didn’t have a good season this year, which ended with the firing of head coach Joe Moorhead, they held LSU’s vaunted offense to its lowest season total in this national championship-winning year. He also oversaw the top-rated defense by yardage allowed in the country in 2017 — one spot over Michigan.

Jean-Mary is an even more interesting hire. He’s been a longtime linebackers coach under Charlie Strong before becoming the defensive coordinator at USF the past three years. His best year on that front was their first in Tampa, where the Bulls posted the No. 37 defense nationally. It fell off as it went along, but where Jean-Mary was particularly impressive was at Texas with his recruiting.

Being at a big Power 5 program like Texas is much different than a Group of Five school like USF — you can’t expect to be atop the recruiting rankings at the latter. But, at Texas, with all the resources, Jean-Mary proved to be a solid recruiter/recruiting coordinator, overseeing top ten classes and bringing in high-level recruits. For instance, in 2015, according to the 247Sports Recruiter Rankings, Jean-Mary was 7th nationally (No. 1 in the Big 12), bringing in prospects such as five-star Malik Jefferson from Mesquite (TX) and four-star Anthony Wheeler from Dallas (TX) Skyline. He was 26th overall in 2016, as the primary recruiter for four-star Erick Fowler and star wideout Lil’Jordan Humphrey, as well as being secondary on QB Shane Buechele, who was sixth in the country in passing this past season with SMU.

Jean-Mary also worked mostly in a 3-3-5 base defense (as well as 3-4) under Strong, which could certainly be helpful given Michigan’s lack of depth at defensive tackle, and defensive coordinator Don Brown’s proclivity to show a variety of looks.

Ultimately, having both Jean-Mary and Shoop on staff gives Michigan more high-level voices in the defensive coaching room and given the rumored hire of assistant strength coach Tank Wright to linebackers coach — while that may have been a quality hire, having the breadth of experience that Jean-Mary has on both the recruiting trail and the playing field, going with the experienced coach is more optimal.

We’ve seen both coaches have great success at the Power 5 level, and Michigan has more resources available than most any of the stops that either have been — though Texas, Penn State and Tennessee are certainly in a similar caliber. But considering that both have the experience of being defensive coordinators, with them overseeing singular position groups, these, holistically, are home run hires by the Michigan football coaching staff.

The only thing is, given departing assistants Chris Partridge and Anthony Campanile’s abilities on the recruiting trail, with the amount of proverbial runs put up on that front equal the replacements’ predecessors? If not, the on-field results theoretically could help make up much of the difference.

Michigan announces two new coaching hires

The Wolverines threw a curveball with one of its new hires.

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We already knew about the hire of Bob Shoop, the former Mississippi State defensive coordinator, but who would be the other?

Two people indicated to WolverinesWire that assistant strength and conditioning coach Tank Wright would get the other spot, and Wright changed his profile to say he as an assistant coach at Michigan, but it seems that the Wolverines had other plans.

Michigan announced both Shoop and the other new coach — Brian Jean-Mary, who was USF’s defensive coordinator the past three years — on Saturday, throwing something of a curveball, one person told WolverinesWire.

Jean-Mary was at Texas with Charlie Strong as a linebackers coach then recruiting coordinator, giving Michigan a solid choice on that front.

Full release:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Saturday (Jan. 18) the addition of Brian Jean-Mary and Bob Shoop to the Wolverines’ defensive coaching staff. Shoop will coach the safeties and Jean-Mary will coach linebackers.

“I am excited about the addition of Brian and Bob to our defensive coaching staff,” said Harbaugh. “Brian and Bob are well-respected, experienced coaches who represent great fits for the University of Michigan. Both coaches have experience coordinating some of the best defenses in the country, and their development of all-conference and future NFL players throughout their careers will benefit our program and student-athletes. Michigan Football looks forward to having Brian, Bob and their families join the University family.”

Harbaugh also announced the elevation of Jay Harbaugh as the program’s Special Teams Coordinator in addition to his role mentoring the running backs. The younger Harbaugh has been an Assistant Special Teams Coach throughout his tenure at Michigan, working with all six phases of special teams.

“Jay has done an excellent job working with all aspects of our special teams over his five seasons with our staff,” said Harbaugh. “His organization and attention to detail, in conjunction with the help of our assistant coaches, will allow our special teams units to remain one of the best in the country. We are excited about Jay’s added leadership in this area.”

Both Shoop and Jean-Mary bring more than 20 years of coaching experience to Ann Arbor, with both serving as defensive coordinators during their careers.

Following is biographical information and comments from Shoop and Jean-Mary about joining the Michigan staff:

BRIAN JEAN-MARY

Brian Jean-Mary Comment on Michigan

It is an honor to join Coach Harbaugh’s staff at the University of Michigan. I am excited about the opportunity to work under a truly outstanding leader, to join a program with such a rich tradition of winning, and to recruit the best and brightest to the University of Michigan. My family cannot wait to get to Ann Arbor. Go Blue!

Brian Jean-Mary Biographical Information

Brian Jean-Mary was assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at USF from 2017-19, where he helped the Bulls defense become one of the nation’s best at forcing turnovers and getting to the quarterback.

Jean-Mary arrives in Ann Arbor as a 21-year coaching veteran having spent the last 10 seasons on the defensive staffs of Charlie Strong, first at Louisville (2010-13) as assistant head coach/linebackers coach, then at Texas (2014-16) as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator, and finally at USF (2017-19).

As a recruiter, Jean-Mary helped produce a trio of top-15 signing classes at Texas, improving from 15th in 2014 to seventh in 2015 and eighth in 2016, and one at Georgia Tech (15th, 2007). He also had a top-30 class at Louisville in 2011 (27th).

At USF, Jean-Mary’s defensive units were consistently among the nation’s best in turnovers created, tackles for loss, and pass defense. In his first year, USF listed top-25 nationally in six categories, including sacks per game (3.0, 11th) and interceptions (20, second). The Bulls led The American Conference in total defense (359.8 yards per game) and scoring defense (21.5 points per game), improving from 120th in total defense and 92nd in scoring defense to 37th and 41st, respectively, after Jean-Mary’s arrival. Defensive tackle Deadrin Senat was one of five all-conference defenders before being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

USF collected forced 69 turnovers across Jean-Mary’s three seasons (24, 21, 24) and ranked top-30 in that area twice. The Bulls also ranked top-five in tackles for loss per game twice (8.4 and 8.3 per game in 2017, ’19) and ranked No. 4 in red zone defense in 2019 (67.4 percent).

At Texas, Jean-Mary developed the linebacking core to produce four All-Big 12 players and an All-American in Jordan Hicks (2014). Texas was top-25 nationally in six categories in 2014, including sacks (11th). The Longhorns averaged more than 3.0 sacks per game in all three years Jean-Mary was at Texas, ranking top-five nationally in his last two seasons. UT also led the nation in recovered fumbles (21) in 2014 and ranked 11th in 2015 (12). Linebacker Jordan Hicks was selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and Jean-Mary’s former players Lorenzo Mauldin and Deiontrez Mount (from his days at Louisville) were also chosen.

Before Texas, Jean-Mary worked as assistant head coach/linebackers coach at Louisville where the Cardinals won 37 games and two Big East Championships (2011, ’12) across four seasons. UL compiled a 3-1 bowl game record peaking with a win over No. 4 Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Louisville’s .885 win percentage (23-3) over the 2012-13 seasons was the fourth-best mark in the country during that time. Five Cardinals were selected in the NFL Draft during his time there: defensive backs Calvin Pryor (2014, first round) and Johnny Patrick (2011, third round), defensive ends Marcus Smith (2014, first round) and Greg Scruggs (2012, seventh round), and linebacker Preston Brown (2014, third round).

Jean-Mary spent six seasons coaching linebackers at Georgia Tech from 2004-09, guiding the defense to top-30 seasons in rushing defense, scoring defense, and total defense in five of his six years on staff. He got started in coaching as a graduate assistant on the strength and conditioning staff at Louisville in 2000 before spending two seasons under Lou Holtz at South Carolina, where he was a defensive graduate assistant coach (2001-02). Jean-Mary then got his first full-time coaching job at North Alabama (2003), a highly successful NCAA Division II program, where he helped the Lions go 13-2, win the Gulf South Conference Championship, and clinch a berth in the semifinals of the 2003 NCAA Division II playoffs.

Jean-Mary is a native of Apopka, Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1998 in political science from Appalachian State, where he played linebacker from 1993-97. He and his wife, Jerilyn Ardis, have two daughters, Brooke and Brittany.

BOB SHOOP

Bob Shoop Comments on Michigan

I am very appreciative to Coach Harbaugh for the opportunity to join the football family at Michigan. I look forward to getting to work, contributing to a program that will continue to combine academic achievement and athletic excellence, while competing for championships. Go Blue!

Bob Shoop Biographical Information

A two-time Broyles Award finalist, Bob Shoop comes to Ann Arbor with more than 30 years of coaching experience, including the last two seasons as defensive coordinator at Mississippi State.

Recently, Shoop has coordinated units to top-25 total defense rankings six times in the last nine seasons. He was named 2018 FootballScoop Defensive Coordinator of the Year and 2014 247Sports’ Defensive Coordinator of the Year. He was FootballScoop’s FCS Defensive Coordinator of the Year in 2009 while at William and Mary, and was also a finalist for the Broyles Award that season.

His defenses and secondaries are aggressive, disciplined, playmaking units that create turnovers and limit big plays.

In 2019, Mississippi State led the SEC with 14 fumble recoveries (No. 4 nationally) and added 10 interceptions to rank second in the conference in overall turnovers (24). Four different players recorded at least one interception, while three recovered multiple fumbles.

Shoop’s 2018 unit was the only defense in the FBS to finish top-10 in all four major defensive categories (total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, and passing defense). The Bulldogs allowed only 12 touchdowns all season, the fewest allowed by any FBS team since 2011. Five teams were kept out of the end zone, and out of 32 trips allowed in the MSU red zone, teams only scored eight touchdowns. MSU also allowed just 3.5 of opponents’ plays to gain 25 yards or more, the smallest percentage in the nation.

State led the nation in total defense (263.1 yards), finished second in scoring defense (13.2 points), and rushing defense (95.08 yards) and listed seventh in passing defense (168.0 yards). The Bulldogs were No. 1 in the SEC in 29 different categories — including 10 NCAA-leading marks. Shoop’s defense allowed the fewest yards per play in the country (4.13). MSU’s 103 tackles for loss set a new program record while no opponent topped 30 points against the Bulldogs all year.

While at MSU, Shoop helped produce three 2019 first-round NFL Draft picks in Jeffrey Simmons (19th), Montez Sweat (26th) and Johnathan Abram (30th). When Gerri Green was taken in the sixth round, Mississippi State set a program record for most defensive players taken in one draft (four).

He has served as a defensive coordinator for 16 years, including two seasons at Tennessee (2016-17), two seasons at Penn State (2014-15) and three seasons at Vanderbilt (2011-13). Over his last 11 seasons, he’s coached 20 NFL Draft picks with four at MSU, five at Tennessee, five at Penn State, three at Vanderbilt and three at William & Mary.

Shoop began his coaching career at his alma mater, Yale, in 1989 as a graduate assistant. He has also spent time as an assistant coach at William & Mary (2007-10), Massachusetts (2006), Boston College (1999-2002), Army (1998), Villanova (1997), Yale (1989, 1994-96), Northeastern (1991-93) and Virginia (1990). Shoop also has head coaching experience, leading the Columbia program for three seasons (2003-05).

Shoop played wide receiver at Yale where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics. He was recognized with Yale Football’s prestigious Robert Gardner Anderson Memorial Award for team spirit, dedication and leadership. He also earned four letters in baseball.

Shoop was a three-sport standout at Riverview High School and is a member of the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Maura, have two sons, Tyler and Jay.

Report: Michigan hires former Miss. St. DC Bob Shoop to defensive staff

The Wolverines filled one of two openings they have to their staff as of current with a proven defensive guru.

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One coach leaves for the state of Mississippi, and another comes to Ann Arbor from Mississippi.

The Wolverines lost former special teams coordinator and safeties coach Chris Partridge to Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss staff, where he’ll be taking on some kind of yet-to-be announced defensive coordinator position, but it looks like Michigan has filled his role in some capacity.

According to 247Sports’ Steve Lorenz, the maize and blue went out and hired former Mississippi State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop to the staff, after he wasn’t retained by new Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach.

247Sports confirmed that former Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop was hired by Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan program on Thursday as the Wolverines filled one of their assistant coaching vacancies following the surprising departure of linebackers coach Anthony Campanile. TMI’s Sam Webb reported on Thursday morning that Shoop was expected to join the Michigan staff in some capacity.

Shoop has had stops at Vanderbilt, Penn State, Tennessee and Mississippi State with strong success in Happy Valley and in Starkville. He is part of former Bulldogs’ head coach Joe Moorhead’s staff and was not retained after Mississippi State hired Mike Leach two weeks ago.

Shoop has been a defensive coordinator since 2007, when he spent four seasons at William & Mary. He then coached under James Franklin at both Vanderbilt and Penn State, but he only spent two seasons at the latter before spending two seasons as the DC at Tennessee. When former PSU offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead got the head role in Starkville, Shoop joined him at MSU.

With Anthony Campanile surprisingly departing for the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday night, it’s unclear what Shoop’s role will be in Ann Arbor, especially with Don Brown still retaining defensive coordinator duties.

In 2019, the Bulldogs did not have a stellar defense, finishing ranked No. 73 in the country, but in 2018, he oversaw the No. 1 defense nationally — ahead of just Michigan. His defenses at Tennessee were ranked 82nd and 95th, but he had two solid seasons in Happy Valley, overseeing the No. 2 and 14th-ranked defenses his two seasons there.

2020 AFCA Convention recap

2020 AFCA Convention.

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NASHVILLE – The American Football Coaches Association’s annual convention took place Jan. 12-14 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Many coaches from across the nation and the world were present. Vols Wire was in attendance and discussed a wide range of topics with various coaches from career achievements, what lies ahead and talking concepts that included the Air Raid mesh with Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin.

The event kicked off with Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck discussing his career and how he has risen from a junior wide receiver at Northern Illinois attending the AFCA Convention and knowing he wanted to coach. He has since climbed the coaching ranks, becoming a first-time head coach at Western Michigan (2013-15). There, his ability to build a program with its culture on display was at the forefront and he has since moved on to rebuild Minnesota’s program in the same capacity.

Fleck’s full speech can be listened to below.

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Current and former University of Tennessee coaches were present at the annual event. UT Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer also made his presence.

The likes of former Tennessee assistant and current Duke head coach David Cutcliffe discussed his time at UT coaching under Johnny Majors and Phillip Fulmer.

“Coach Majors was the most organized practice guys,” Cutcliffe said.

The Duke head coach mentioned Majors made it a point for assistants to write down any mistakes they made and learn from it.

“The big thing with Phillip (Fulmer) was perseverance,” Cutcliffe continued regarding the pair of former UT head coaches. “He was the most consistent, perseverian person that I have ever been around.”

Cutlciffe also discussed with Vols Wire his openness to changing coaching tactics as the game does with rules, the transfer portal and other items such as offenses changing.

“I have learned more in the last five years than I have in the previous 15,” he said. “We all have to be prepared to do that in our line of work.”

Recently departed Tennessee running backs coach David Johnson was also present at the AFCA Convention representing his new school, Florida State. Johnson discussed the amount of hard work he gave to Tennessee over the last two years with Vols Wire, simply saying that he worked hard during his time on Rocky Top.

Other coaches present at the Convention discussed UT’s coaching staff vacancy with Vols Wire. The common theme was that Jeremy Pruitt will take his time to fill the opening Johnson has left behind, much like he did when hiring offensive coordinator Jim Chaney last offseason. Johnson left UT on Jan. 4.

BDAAF5BC-1959-4388-81B2-DE5214B0B911 — Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Former Tennessee head coach Butch Jones also took part in the 2020 AFCA Convention on its second day. Jones, who finished his second season as an analyst at Alabama in 2019, mentioned to Vols Wire that he eventually plans on getting back into a head coaching position again and is enjoying his time under Nick Saban.

One coach told Vols Wire that Jones will enhance what went well during his Tennessee tenure and will fix what could have been better when he becomes a head coach again.

Bob Shoop — Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Former Tennessee defensive graduate assistant Jon Shalala arrived at UT during the summer of 2016 under Jones and defensive coordinator Bob Shoop. Shoop went to Mississippi State in the same capacity for the 2018-19 seasons.

Shalala remained at Tennessee throughout Pruitt’s first season as head coach in 2018. He then followed Shoop to Mississippi State and served as an assistant to inside linebackers throughout the 2019 season.

Mississippi State fired head coach Joe Moorhead following the Bulldogs’ bowl game and have since hired Mike Leach for his replacement. Shalala has experience handling transition when Tennessee went from Jones to Pruitt following the 2017 season. He remains currently within Mississippi State’s program under Leach and told Vols Wire that everything has been good so far during the transition.

Shalala filled in for linebackers coach Chris Marve during the Music City Bowl against Louisville. Marve left Mississippi State to join Mike Norvell’s Florida State coaching staff.

49A81A15-7593-4AA0-874C-C2A1784FC3E6 — Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

University of Tennessee at Martin running backs coach Sean Fisher was selected to the AFCA 2020 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. Fisher previously discussed his coaching career on the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days” with newly hired USA Academy head coach Rush Propst. The interview can be listened to below.

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