Tag: Brian Jean-Mary

Michigan losing another assistant coach after all

The one-year Michigan football coach is departing the program unexpectedly.

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Just when it seemed that the Michigan football staff was set, it turns out, as the college football world turns, not so much.

Just days before the Wolverines were set to embark upon spring practice, which starts next week, one of the returning assistants appears to be on the move. Michigan had seemingly solidified its coaching staff on Jan. 23, with the reported hire of Ron Bellamy, but the defensive side is back in flux again. As first reported by Rivals’ Chris Balas, linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary is departing for Tennessee to serve under new head coach Josh Heupel.

It’s unclear at this point what his new role will be in Knoxville.

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Jean-Mary was with the program for one year and had been known as a voracious recruiter. This off-season, his job appeared to be in jeopardy as Michigan courted Christian Robinson, who remained at Florida.

Stay tuned as this story progresses.

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Maybe Michigan’s coaching staff isn’t fully set yet

It appears that Urban Meyer couldn’t leave off from trying to hire away one of Michigan football’s most veteran coaches.

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In a move that surprises no one, Urban Meyer may be fiddling with Michigan’s coaching staff now that he’s the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Just when it appeared that the Wolverines coaching staff was set on both sides of the ball, a new twist arose, with news that Meyer may be trying to poach the most veteran assistant that the maize and blue currently have. Linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary has only been in Ann Arbor for one year  thus far, but has proven himself an avid recruiter. He’s been around the block, having particularly followed Charlie Strong in recent years, until Strong’s demise at USF led Jean-Mary to Ann Arbor.

According to NFL reporter Jason LaCanfora, those ties that bind may pry Jean-Mary from Jim Harbaugh’s grasp.

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Now, there is one thing in particular that doesn’t make sense about the above tweet: Charlie Strong is the linebackers coach at Jacksonville, newly hired by Meyer. So are the Jaguars looking for two linebackers coaches or is Strong perhaps not joining Meyer in Jacksonville as originally planned?

Regardless, it’s the type of move you’d expect from the old rival, working to sew discord when a staff finally was made complete just a week ago.

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Michigan completes defensive coaching staff

The defensive coaching staff for Michigan football is complete heading into the 2021 season.

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Michigan finally completed its defensive coaching staff, and while there were some rumored hires on the way, only two came to pass, ultimately.

The Wolverines announced that, in addition to new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, they’re hiring two new defensive coaches while retaining two. Shaun Nua will continue to coach the defensive line while Brian Jean-Mary will continue to work with the linebackers.

As far as the new additions are concerned, they’re two that were reported previously. New safeties coach George Helow comes aboard from Maryland after coming up through the SEC in various stops, while avid recruiter and recent Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist will coach the defensive backs in addition to being the co-defensive coordinator. Macdonald will still be considered the defensive coordinator-proper.

Full release:

University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Wednesday (Jan. 20) the hiring of Maurice Linguist and George Helow to the defensive coaching staff. Linguist will serve as defensive backs/co-defensive coordinator and Helow will coach the safeties for the Wolverines.

“Maurice and George are outstanding additions to our defensive coaching staff,” said Harbaugh. “They are highly regarded and well-respected coaches who have worked with some of the top defensive minds in college football. Their experience at some of the top programs in the country will benefit our team and student-athletes. Michigan Football welcomes Maurice, George and their families and look forward to them joining our football family and university community.”

In addition, Harbaugh announced that the program reached an agreement on a contract extension with Shaun Nua to continue as the team’s defensive line coach. Brian Jean-Mary will work with the linebackers. Those personnel moves complete the defensive coaching staff for the Wolverines under first-year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.

Following is biographical information and comments from Linguist and Helow about joining the Michigan staff:

Maurice Linguist Comment on Michigan

“I have always had an appreciation and an admiration for Coach Harbaugh and his accomplishments at the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan is full of college football’s best traditions, and I cannot wait to get started. I look forward to leading and serving the young men in the program, developing life-long relationships, and competing at the highest of levels on the field. My family and I look forward to getting to Ann Arbor, and we are beyond excited to join the Michigan family. Go Blue!”

Maurice Linguist Biographical Information

Linguist joins the Michigan football staff as defensive backs/co-defensive coordinator after spending the 2020 football season as the defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys. Prior to joining the Cowboys staff, Linguist was the cornerbacks coach at Texas A&M for two seasons (2018-19).

In Dallas, Linguist directed a secondary that forced 10 interceptions while allowing the fifth-fewest passing first downs in the league (180). The Cowboys were also ranked in the top half of the league in pass yards allowed (11th), completion percentage against (10th) and takeaways (ninth). Linguist coached rookie cornerback Trevon Diggs (three interceptions) to a strong first season in the league. Three of Dallas’ four leading tacklers in 2020 were starters in the secondary, including former Wolverine Jourdan Lewis who set a career-high with 59 stops. Safety Donovan Wilson, whom Linguist coached at Texas A&M, led the Cowboys in takeaways (two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries) and was third on the team with 71 tackles.

Linguist has worked with college secondaries at eight programs. Most recently, he coached cornerbacks at Texas A&M (2018-19), defensive backs at Minnesota (2017) and safeties at Mississippi State (2016).

At A&M, Linguist’s secondaries limited opportunities for opponents and played tight coverage in key situations. Teams converted just 31.2 percent of third down tries (102-of-326) over his two seasons and A&M ranked ninth nationally in that category in 2018. The Aggies intercepted their opponents 19 times in his two seasons and made a habit of getting off the field. During the 2018 season, the defense was top-15 nationally in first downs allowed (221) and faced the fewest snaps against among all SEC teams. The defense made a dramatic improvement in pass efficiency defense from 2018 to 2019, jumping from 106th nationally to 26th in the country.

Linguist helped the Aggies produce back-to-back top six recruiting classes nationally in 2019 and 2020. He was the lead recruiter for five-star safety Jaylon Jones, the first-ever five-star defensive back to sign with Texas A&M.

In his season at Minnesota, Linguist’s secondary helped anchor a defense that finished No. 11 nationally with 174.5 yards allowed per game after listing 73rd in the NCAA a year earlier. The unit surrendered 16 touchdowns, a top-25 figure nationally, and also ranked among the nation’s best in first downs allowed (11th), and total defense (30th). Linguist was the lead recruiter for Rashod Bateman, the Big Ten’s Wide Receiver of the Year. Linguist was promoted to assistant head coach following the 2017 season before accepting a position at Texas A&M.

At Mississippi State, Linguist led the safeties group which was responsible for seven of the team’s 14 interceptions. Three safeties eclipsed the 50-tackle mark for the Bulldogs: Brandon Bryant (62, three PBUs), Kivon Coman (58, four PBUs), and Mark McLaurin (51, seven PBUs) were among the team’s leading tacklers. The defense scored four touchdowns (No. 8, NCAA) and totaled 14 interceptions (No. 35, NCAA) during the 2016 season.

Prior to his time in Starkville, Linguist coached defensive backs at Iowa State (2014-15) and Buffalo (2012-13), earning the title of defensive passing game coordinator in his second year at both schools. He coached players to three All-Big 12 honors in his two seasons at Iowa State, including safety Kamari Cotton-Moya, a first-team freshman All-American by the Football Writers’ Association of America (FWAA). Cotton-Moya led the team in tackles and was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year on defense. Linguist would help direct cornerback Brian Peavy to be a finalist for the award the following year.

At Buffalo, Linguist helped the Bulls finish second in the MAC East and reached the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2013. The unit ranked second in the league in interceptions (15), points per game allowed (24.4), and yards per game allowed (382.2). Linguist coached Najja Johnson to first-team all-conference honors and a career total of 38 pass breakups, No. 2 in program history. Johnson led the MAC in interceptions the year earlier as part of a Bulls unit that was tops in the conference in pass completion percentage allowed while ranking second in pass defense.

Linguist spent three years at James Madison, helping the program pull in the top FCS recruiting class during the 2012 cycle while the team reached the second round of the NCAA Football Championship Series Playoffs. He helped JMU rank among the top 20 teams in FCS in scoring defense three consecutive seasons (2009-11).

Linguist’s first full-time position was at Valdosta State, working with defensive backs and special teams. The Blazers went 9-3 and earned a No. 12 national ranking in Division II.

Linguist began as a graduate assistant at Baylor, his alma mater, working as a graduate assistant with the strong safeties and rover backs. During his career at Baylor, he was a defensive MVP and honorable mention All-Big 12 selection. He made 24 starts in 42 appearances as a strong safety from 2003-06. A native of Dallas, Texas, Linguist graduated from Baylor with degrees in communications (2006) and a master’s in health, human performance and recreation (2007). He was an Academic All-Big 12 honoree.

Linguist and his wife, Stacie, have a daughter, Maura (4), and son, Lance (18 months). Stacie is a practicing attorney that is barred in five states [Texas, Maryland, Iowa, Minnesota and Washington (DC)].

George Helow Comment on Michigan

“I am incredibly excited and grateful to be joining the Michigan Football program, a school with a rich tradition and history of winning. I am looking forward to developing great players who are also upstanding citizens. This is an outstanding opportunity to work with Coach Jim Harbaugh, one of the best in the business, and the great coaching staff that he has assembled at Michigan. I can’t wait to get to work. Go Blue!”

George Helow Biographical Information

Helow (pronounced He-LOW) joins the Michigan football staff as safeties coach after spending the 2020 season as the special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach at the University of Maryland. Helow has been a member of two national championship teams and worked with some of the college football’s top defensive minds.

He spent four seasons at Colorado State University (2016-19) prior to joining the Terrapins staff. Helow coached the safeties during his final two seasons on staff, after working with the outside linebackers as a defensive quality control coach and graduate assistant during the 2016-17 seasons.

Helow oversaw a secondary that allowed just 181.6 yards per game in 2019, the seventh-best pass defense in the country and the top-ranked in the Mountain West Conference. Safeties Jamal Hicks and Logan Stewart combined for 193 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions for the Rams. Hicks earned first-team All-MWC and helped lead a pass defense that held seven opponents under 200 passing yards.

In his first season mentoring the safeties, three of Helow’s defensive backs ranked in the top five in tackles on the team in 2018. The Rams ranked fourth in pass defense in the MWC.

Helow has coached at some of the nation’s top programs during his career, with stints at Alabama, Florida State and Georgia. Helow helped the Seminoles win a national title in 2013 as a defensive graduate assistant coach. He also spent two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant at Georgia (2014-15) where he worked with the safeties.

In 2012, Helow broke into the college coaching ranks as a member of the Alabama staff under Nick Saban. He was an intern in the weight room during the spring and summer before working as a defensive intern for coordinator Kirby Smart during the fall. The Crimson Tide allowed just 10.9 points per game during the year and went on to win the national title against Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship Game.

Helow played collegiately at the University of Mississippi from 2006-10. After redshirting in 2006, Helow saw his first career action against Louisiana Tech in 2007 and went on to play in all 38 games for Ole Miss during the 2008-10 seasons, including back-to-back Cotton Bowl victories in 2009 and 2010. He led the Rebels in special teams tackles during the 2010 season and was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, an award given annually to the nation’s most outstanding college football player who began their career as a walk-on.

Helow graduated from Ole Miss with a business degree in marketing and added a master’s degree in adult education during his time at Georgia.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Helow played at Bishop Kenny High School and later attended Hargrave Military Academy Prep School in Chatham, Virginia, before enrolling at Mississippi. Helow returned to his alma mater, Bishop Kenny, to coach with his younger brother Peter after graduating from Ole Miss.

Brian Jean-Mary breaks down VIPER linebackers behind Michael Barrett

If VIPER Michael Barrett can’t play vs. Indiana, here’s who Michigan football would put into the game on Saturday.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — No. 23 Michigan has a tall task ahead of it this week as it travels to No. 13 Indiana for the second consecutive year. And it might have to do it without starting VIPER Michael Barrett, who showed out in Big Ten Week 1.

Barrett was injured in Week 2 against rival Michigan State, and in his place, second-year Florida native Anthony Solomon got some play. Solomon played 10 snaps agains Minnesota but that number ballooned to 18 against MSU. As a VIPER does, Solomon was all over the field — from D-line to playing in the box to covering the slot receiver.

Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary says that he was quite pleased with what he saw out of the true sophomore in his first major outing on the defensive side of the ball.

“Anthony is another young man I was very familiar with when I got here,” Jean-Mary said. “Knew of him with some of the recruiting I had done down in Florida. He was a kid who was really dynamic in high school coming off of the edge. Was really excited to work with him. I thought he did a very admirable job once Mike got a little injured. He came in and with that position, we ask that position to do a lot of things. He was about 90-95%, which you can’t ask for much more from a player, especially coming in a little cold off the bench.

“Anthony is a very, very talented guy. Has to hone in on some of the coverage aspect things, but we’re comfortable with him as far as playing over tight ends and attacking the runs. He’s a kid that I still think has a bright future and has a chance to be a really good football player here.”

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But what if, say, something were to happen to Solomon? Who would be the next man up?

That honor would fall to true freshman William “Apache” Mohan, who got in for one snap against the Gophers, but did not play in Week 2.  Jean-Mary shared more about who Mohan is as a player, what he brings to the table and what he needs to improve upon before he’s ready to settle into the rotation.

“William – which, we don’t call him that, we go by his nickname, ‘Apache,’” Jean-Mary said. “He’s probably one of the more explosive players (I’ve ever coached). He’s probably about 205-210-pounds. But his explosiveness off of his first step is rare and is uncanny. When you talk about a guy that can be able to blitz and come off of the edge and make plays, he’s got great potential there. The big thing for him as a freshman, as with most freshmen, it’s just learning the pace of the college game, learning the speed which to play at and to practice at. Probably getting a bit more strength to take on college offensive linemen and tackles and being able to tackle college-level running backs. But he’s coming along. He’s a real unique kid because of his athletic ability. Another kid we think has a bright future, more and more once he gets the experience of playing.”

Michigan and Indiana are set to kick off on Saturday at noon EST at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.

Michigan’s working with linebackers in coverage this week

With Indiana up next, Michigan football is looking to give the cornerbacks a hand in pass coverage.

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The Wolverines have had a Jekyll-and-Hyde start to the 2020 season this year after defeating Minnesota, but then getting upset-majorly — by MSU last weekend. Michigan will now have a new challenge this weekend — facing the 13th ranked Hoosiers in Bloomington and stopping their aerial attack.

One of Michigan’s biggest flaws this season, is coverage. According to PFF, Michigan has the 91st-ranked coverage defense, but they also have the 8th-ranked run defense. So, how does Michigan plan on defending the pass better? Well, this week the Wolverines have been practicing with their linebackers on how to do a better job in coverage.

Linebackers coach, Brian Jean-Mary, was hired this past season after he spent three seasons as USF’s defensive coordinator. Jean-Mary made the Bulls a respectable defense nationally, as they were ranked No. 48 in total defense. South Florida was also ranked 26th in coverage defense, according to PFF last season.

Jean-Mary met with the media on Wednesday to discuss his linebackers, and shared that his linebackers are working to shore up issues in Michigan’s pass coverage.

“When you give up a couple yards in the pass coverage, it’s just like anything else: win or lose, you try to clean up anything you think you didn’t do well,” Jean-Mary said. “Obviously, in the pass coverage, we gave up some plays. Those are fixable as far as with our scheme. It’s just one of those things, coming off the Minnesota game two weeks ago, we knew certain things — either run or the pass — that we  had to clean up and get better at. That’s just par for the course after a game. You analyze what you do well and what you didn’t do so well, and what you want to work on.”

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Jean-Mary also talked about going back to the fundamentals of pass coverage, noting that the Wolverines are working to make sure that the little things are sound in order to create big picture success.

“It still comes down to fundamentals,” Jean-Mary said. “We’re not going to reinvent the wheel. It comes down to the fundamentals, putting your eyes in the right place. Using the right techniques and doing the things we’ve coached. We just got to make sure we do it better as far as in the pass coverage and it’s 11-man defense — we have to rush better, whether we’re blitzing  or it’s a four-man rush. Like I said, come back to our fundamentals  as far as pass coverage — with our eyes, our hands, and our feet.”

The Wolverines really need their linebackers to step up in pass coverage. The three main linebackers — Josh Ross, Cam McGrone, and Michael Barrett — haven’t faired well in the two games defending the pass.

PFF grades from 0-100, with 80 or above considered ‘outstanding.’ Michael Barrett has a 68.5 pass coverage grade — he has been targeted 4 times, and allowed 4 catches — and also has a 79.5 pass rushing grade. Josh Ross has a 65 coverage grade — he has been targeted 11 times and allowed 9 catches with a TD and INT — but has a 82 run defense grade. Cam McGrone has a lowly 45.9 coverage grade with a 72.9 run defense grade.

If Michigan is going to be able to contain Indiana’s passing offense this weekend, it will need all the help the linebacking corps can offer. It’s a good sign that it’s working hard during practice to get some extra help for the struggling secondary. As Jean-Mary stressed during his media session, ‘Need to go back to the fundamentals.’

Michigan and Indiana will kickoff at 12:00 p.m. on FS1.

How Brian Jean-Mary acclimated to coaching at Michigan through a pandemic

Having arrived just before the coronavirus pandemic, new Michigan football LB coach Brian Jean-Mary had to learn how to teach differently.

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Things didn’t quite go as Brian Jean-Mary planned this past year.

After being a casualty of a coaching transition at USF, Jean-Mary decided to revert back to being a position coach after having been a defensive coordinator in Tampa. He arrived in Ann Arbor, but soon after, the coronavirus pandemic took ahold, and spring football took a back seat. That means he didn’t get a chance to work with his players until mid-summer, after the student-athletes reported to campus and when the coaches were allowed to be hands-on.

He had to find a way to connect with players he had never coached while acclimating to a new system, all while doing so remotely — not an easy role.

Speaking with Jon Jansen on the Inside Michigan Football radio show, Jean-Mary shared, in broad terms, what that was like and how he went about doing his job in a unique situation.

“It was a major, major challenge,” Jean-Mary said. “Obviously, with working with the SAM and VIPER unit, we had two great players, two generational guys last year in Uche and Hudson — and with them being gone, you didn’t have the game video of the players that were returning. So you wanted to hurry up and get them on the field and see what their strengths and weaknesses were and as a coach, try to help them. Without that experience — the Zoom meetings don’t help that. Nothing replaces experience! So it was a little bit of a challenge. Like I said, frustrating at times. The guys, like I said, are wide-eyed and energetic, and as eager to learn as much as possible. So even if it was a Zoom, you pan out the camera and you’re getting in stances and you’re trying to go over things on the board and they were super attentive.

“So we made the most of the situation, but nothing replaces getting on the grass, meeting and defeating blocks, getting to the line and stuff like that. We’ve sped that process up and they’ve done a good job.”

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Jean-Mary has an extensive resume coaching football in the Power Five, having coached under Chan Gailey and Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech before following Charlie Strong from Louisville to Texas to USF. He’s been coaching linebackers since 2004 when he arrived in Atlanta, but has had some other roles, including recruiting coordinator, defensive coordinator and was twice an assistant head coach.

Now he’s taken a step back to be at Michigan, working solely with the SAM and VIPER linebackers.

But he’s excited about this opportunity, because it’s pushing him to be the best coach that he can be. And gives the credit on that front to Jim Harbaugh.

“Individually, Coach Harbaugh, he’s a blue blood – not saying that just because it’s Michigan,” Jean-Mary said. “He lives and breathes football. He’s a guy, once you get to know him, his biggest thing is empty your tank every day. If you have something you can do to make this program a better program individually, you should do it every day. If you’re not, try to find a way to get it done. That’s the kind of guy you want to work for as a head coach, because he’s gonna challenge you as a position coach and challenge your players to be the best they can be.”

Of course, Harbaugh is leading the charge, but Don Brown leads the defense and works with the linebackers on the other side of the line.

Jean-Mary had nothing but the highest praise for Brown, saying he’s the best in the business at what he does.

“It’s been awesome, it’s been awesome,” Jean-Mary said. “I’ve been blessed to be around some great coaches in my career and Coach Brown is, in my opinion, the best defensive coordinator in the country. As I’m actually learning the system and learning under him, I’m also taking notes and almost enamored because of the way his defense has performed – and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

Jean-Mary’s linebackers will be on full display come Oct. 24 when Michigan heads to Minnesota for the Big Ten season opener.

Charlie Strong raves about Michigan’s newest assistant

The new Wolverines assistant’s former head coach shares why he thinks he’ll be a big success in Ann Arbor.

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Michigan got something of a blood infusion in its defensive coaching ranks on Saturday, with the announcement that it had hired former Mississippi State/Tennessee/Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop and longtime Charlie Strong assistant, USF defensive coordinator Brian Jean-Mary.

The latter was an unexpected hire, but it’s one that Strong calls ‘a great fit,’ according to Detroit Free Press writer Rainer Sabin.

Strong and Jean-Mary go way back, when Strong was the South Carolina defensive coordinator and Jean-Mary was a graduate assistant. When Strong got his first head coaching opportunity at Louisville, Jean-Mary got the call to be his linebackers coach, and the two stuck together all the way through Strong’s head coaching career, at Texas and South Florida.

Now, with Strong unemployed, Jean-Mary is forging a new path, one that’s led him to Ann Arbor. And his former head coach thinks he’ll do just fine in his new digs.

But as a new decade begins, Jean-Mary and Strong have been forced to go their separate ways. It’s the consequence of a 4-8 season that led to the removal of Strong and his staff. On Saturday, Jean-Mary was able to rebound when he was hired by Michigan football to replace Anthony Campanile and oversee the team’s linebackers. His move, which was announced in conjunction with Bob Shoop’s appointment as safeties coach, prompted Strong to say that Jean-Mary’s new role “will be a great fit for him.”

“When you look at a coach, you ask, ‘Can they coach and can they recruit?’” Strong told the Free Press on Saturday. “And he can do both because he knows how to connect with the players. He knows how to have great communication with them.”

When Strong was a defensive coordinator at South Carolina in the early aughts, he was among the first to see Jean-Mary’s potential. Back then, Jean-Mary impressed Strong with the work ethic he displayed as a graduate assistant.

Inquisitive and eager, Jean-Mary showed a willingness to learn.

But most of all he demonstrated a knack for connecting with people.

Strong isn’t the only one with a lot of faith in Jean-Mary’s ability. Fellow USF assistant Shaun Hill also thinks big things of his coaching prowess, telling Sabin just how high he thinks Jean-Mary can fly.

“A future head coach, in my opinion,” King said.

Jean-Mary will be coaching linebackers, per Michigan’s release.

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.