Tag: Lamar Morgan

MSU offense set to pose a threat to the Michigan football secondary

#Michigan coaches are on high alert for MSU’s pass game. #GoBlue

Michigan football is somewhat limping into what should be one of the biggest games of the season for the Wolverines, even though it’s an unranked vs. unranked matchup.

The annual rivalry against Michigan State always has a lot of juice, but both teams come in ranked 4-3, however the perception of either is moving in opposite directions. That’s in large part because new MSU head coach Jonathan Smith is getting more and more from his offense as weeks go by.

Most of the headlines are garnered by quarterback Aidan Chiles, but MSU is getting consistently better at running the ball while Chiles is getting better at not turning the ball over with as much regularity as he had earlier in the season. Thus, defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan says that Michigan is on high alert for what the Spartans bring to the table.

“I think their offense — that’s really what I kind of focus on. Sometimes on teams we have different areas that we worked on as too, as position coaches. But I think they do a really good job,” Morgan said. “I think the quarterback has gotten better throughout the year. I think that’s something that you can watch and see. I think he’s strong. If you don’t corral him in the pocket and you leave a crease, he’ll go, and you might not catch him. I think the receivers do a really good job. They have the freshman that’s really good. They have a senior that really worked – that did a really good job. I think they’re really good on the outside, one of the upper receiver groups.

“I know you talked about the offense earlier. I think the running backs run extremely hard. I think when you watch them on tape, they’re downhill runners. And I think they had a tight end from Oregon State that led the nation last year in all these stats. I think he’s No. 12 now. I think he’s 87 there. But I think they have a really good offense. I think they kind of mix it up where they’re under center or where they’re not. I think they give the quarterback different options at the line of scrimmage. And I think, you know, the head coach and the OC that deal with the offense, they do a great job of just keeping you on your toes, mixing run and pass. Sometimes you look at different stats. A lot of times they’re 50-50 on a lot of downs and distance, so they don’t really give you a beat. Then they do a good job of self-scouting themselves. But I think their offense is really good.”

As Morgan is a DB coach, he’ll be tasked with slowing down Chiles and the passing game. Chief among the Spartan receivers is a local product in his first year in wide receiver Nick Marsh.

Marsh leads MSU with 24 catches for 433 yards thus far, and as a player who very well could have ended up in Ann Arbor if the previous staff had pursued him harder, it’s tough for Michigan fans to watch a freshman receiver go off while there are issues with the veterans at the position for the Wolverines.

Morgan says that Marsh is already among the Big Ten’s best at his position and he knows it will take a lot to slow him down.

“I think he’s really good. I think he’s going to be a premier receiver in this league,” Morgan said. “I think he’s aggressive. He’s right down the street. As you know, those guys, whenever they get the opportunity to come back where they’re home, they’re going to play hard. I think he’s aggressive. He’s physical. I think he’s one of our better receivers in our league. And they do it as a freshman, right? So, once again, if you’re a freshman and you’re playing at a high level, that guy’s going to be a really good player in our league. And I think that’s kind of what you see.

“I think he’s good in and out his breaks. I think they move him around, inside, outside. I think they do a good job of having seven-man, eight-man pro, where it’s longer developing routes, 20-25 yards down the field. I think that’s kind of their game. They get you one-on-one. They’ll get you singled up. So, I think they do a good job with them.”

Michigan secondary preparing for big challenge against USC passing game

This will be a huge challenge for the defense. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football faltered across the board against Texas but it has multiple chances to right the wrongs of Week 2 in Week 4 with USC coming to town.

With a very similar offensive attack, the Trojans present a lot of problems to the Wolverines, particularly in the secondary. Defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan confirmed that Jyaire Hill — who has been heavily targeted the past two weeks — will still be starting opposite Will Johnson and that the whole of the defense has to be on high alert for what USC wants to do offensively.

“I think Lincoln Riley, as you know — we get the opportunity, which is challenging. But when you’re at Michigan, the OCs that you play each and every week, they’re some of the tops in the country,” Morgan said. “Lincoln Riley’s been doing this for a long time. I know you all always see him on the sideline. He has the smallest call sheet. It’s a lot of variances that he can do. I think what he does really good is get the ball in his playmaker’s hands. He knows he can see whatever coverage you’re doing. He knows what he needs to get to. When you change it, he’ll go back to it. He runs repeat plays.”

But what’s made the USC offense so good? Part of it, Morgan says, is that it has so many weapons it gets involved, but also he’s on high alert for quarterback Miller Moss.

This may be Moss’ first true road start, but he’s essentially a seasoned vet who is better than people might think, Morgan says.

“I just think they’re doing a really good job of just spreading the ball around,” Morgan said. “I think they have the outside bigger receivers that they can have there. I think the tight end does a good job. If you lock down the guys outside, him down the middle, he just does a good job of spreading the ball around.

“I think the quarterback, I think everybody can talk about him, whatever they want to say. He kind of waited his turn. I think he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country, seriously. I think if you watch his tape, you see what he does, the placement. He’s on his back foot getting hit, and the ball is on the money. I just think everybody that plays him this year will see a quarterback that is ready for his challenge, has been prepared. I think he’s one of the best players on their offense as the quarterback, without a doubt.”

Michigan and USC will kick off at 3:40 p.m. EDT at The Big House with the game broadcast nationally on CBS.

Michigan football cross-training players across the board in ‘positionless defense’

#Michigan is still steps ahead on the defensive side of the ball. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Last week, transfer safety Wes Walker, who joined Michigan football this summer from Tennessee, noted how much more complex the Wolverines’ defense under coordinator Wink Martindale is compared to those he’s played in previously. And it turns out it may be more complex than many think.

On Sunday, defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan spoke of the learning curve that transfers and freshmen have when it comes to learning and understanding the defense. But it turns out that there are levels to understanding — not just the defense as a whole or even just your role as a player. But the staff is also working to cross-train players across the defense so that they can play multiple roles in various situations.

“We want to be a positionless defense where guys can play multiple positions — whether it’s you can move a guy in on third down, they don’t know what he’s doing,” Morgan said. “I think that’s something where Coach Wink — he’s been coaching 20 years in the NFL and another almost 20 years in college. I think that’s where his specialty is, finding roles for players.”

We’ve certainly seen that aspect of the defense in recent years. When Mike Macdonald first installed the defense in 2021, the Wolverines were a little more niche, meaning they often had to substitute players given what opposing offenses were doing. That burned them in the sole regular season loss of the year, at Michigan State, because as Michigan was subbing, MSU would take advantage and go quick tempo.

After that game, the Wolverines started utilizing Mike Barrett more at linebacker, as he could also play adequately, essentially, as a defensive back.

Now Michigan has fully embraced that mentality, knowing that corners may have to be nickels or safeties. Safeties certainly cross-train at nickel but may also have to play corner. Linebackers may have to drop back or play up front (that’s pretty normal for the position, anyhow).

Morgan says that instead of simply showing the players their one role at their specified position, they’re engaging the defense conceptually, and that allows for more versatility within the defense, from a personnel standpoint.

“When we start teaching concepts, we just teach with X’s on the board. It’s not like it’s a certain position — this is the corner, this is the safety. So we try to teach the guys different techniques,” Morgan said. “If you’re a half-field player, playing man in the slot, pressing the slot, whoever is at that spot, they just know that technique already. So now when we put a call in the corner is going to be a half-field player, which safeties usually are. They know how to use those techniques.

“So I would say initially, I do think that could be a challenge for some of the players that maybe have not played a lot just because they don’t know it a lot. But I do think our best, our secret weapon here, is our players that play so much. Like Rod Moore is meeting with guys. They got questions. They go to me as a coach, I’m going to ask the guys in the meeting room how they see it. Do you see it the same way I see it? If I don’t see it the same way they see it, why am I not where’s the where’s the gap is? So I do think there’s a lot of conversation, probably more than most meeting rooms that I try to encourage, because it is a lot when you’re playing two or three different positions.”

It will be interesting to see who emerges and where, especially since a few of the truly versatile players from the past few years — like Barrett or nickel Mike Sainristil — have moved on to the NFL. And given Martindale’s recent high-level experience with both the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens, if players can do multiple things, it will certainly help the defense thrive, as his NFL units have.

LaMar Morgan shares where Jaden Mangham is developmentally after transferring to Michigan

There are a ton of safeties raring to go for #Michigan this year. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It was something of a coup when Michigan football managed to convince a rival player from Michigan State to switch sides and come to Ann Arbor and wear a winged helmet.

During the summer months, as the Wolverines looked to bolster their safety depth, Jaden Mangham opted to leave East Lansing for Michigan, and many thought that he had a solid chance to start opposite Makari Paige, filling Rod Moore’s role with him out for all or most of the season with an injury. However, it does appear as if sixth-year safety Quinten Johnson is in the lead to be that starting safety.

But, Michigan does pride itself on having a deep rotation, particularly on defense, and Mangham — a former starter for MSU — is likely to still see the field. However, it does also appear that Tennessee transfer Wes Walker is vying for more playing time, making the road to the field a little tougher for Mangham.

Secondary coach LaMar Morgan thinks the future is bright for Mangham, but noted that it takes some time to get used to not only playing at Michigan, but the diversity of what the defense does

“I think Mangham is a good kid. I think he works really hard,” Morgan said. “A good thing about him is he’s a mature player. And he started games at Michigan State. Once again, I think you got to ask all the transfers, we do things different here. And what I mean by that is just the style of practice. Style of practice, what you face at practice every day, the offense that we run, downhill play-action shots, a lot of different things like that. I think that could be challenging for a guy that comes in here with just the spots and how we practice, but he’s done a good job of trying to learn the new playbook.”

It may have been different if Mangham would have transferred in earlier, but that would have been unlikely given Rod Moore still occupying the position.

Given Mangham’s late arrival and not being able to start out in pads until fall camp, that’s put him a little behind where those who have been in the program are. That includes players like Johnson or even sophomore Brandyn Hillman, in some respects.

Morgan says that as Mangham continues to acclimate to the Michigan culture and playbook, as well as understanding that his position comes with an innate leadership role, that he’ll grow more into the player that the Wolverines need him to be.

“He wasn’t here in the spring, we got him later in the summer. So just the adjustment of trying to put like — it’s different between a meeting and a sheet of paper or a playbook, and then now actually being out there, executing the defense,” Morgan said. “I also think that safety is a little bit different than that corner. I think at safety, one of the elite traits is making other people around you better. So I think if you look at all the great safeties that we have had here before, I know y’all talk about Rod all the time when he’s on the field. Everybody feels comfortable, and I think it’s hard for his safety if you don’t know everything that’s going on to make others around you. So I would think that’s probably a challenge with all our new young guys in the secondary, whether they’re freshmen or transfers.”

Jyaire Hill leading for Michigan football starting CB position two weeks before season opener

He’s going to be a beast for #Michigan this year. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Two weeks can feel like an eternity, especially when you’re a football fan waiting for the season to start. But when you’re a player working to earn a starting position, you have to hold off your competition every single day in practice and in the meeting rooms.

One of the big questions for Michigan football this offseason has been who will start at cornerback opposite Will Johnson. The preseason leader in spring ball was DJ Waller, who was groomed for the position, but he unexpectedly transferred to Kentucky after the spring game. Michigan brought in two transfers in Aamir Hall from Albany and Ricky Johnson from UNLV, but the leader in the clubhouse to earn that starting role happens to be homegrown talent (in terms of the program).

Surging this offseason has been sophomore Jyaire Hill, the Illinois native who committed to the program on early signing day back in Dec. 2022. He saw some early playing time a year ago but has had some maturing to do in order to become a regular player. And according to his position coach, LaMar Morgan, it appears that Hill is currently in the pole position.

“I think right now you would say the early favorite would be Jyaire,” Morgan said. “I think he’s done a great job. He probably has a little bit advantage over some of the guys that’s in the program, just by getting all the reps he got this spring football and now fall camp. But I think there’s a constant battle.

“We got two weeks for guys to continue to make moves — really excited about the group. We’re gonna have to develop some guys that maybe y’all don’t know about yet. And I think that’s a challenge, and encouragement as a coach. It’s going to be a young group. I know everybody knows about Will, but all the guys behind them, there will be a lot of guys just kind of play hard for this university and do a great job.”

For Hall and Johnson, both played for teams who are at a lower level than the Wolverines. Albany is an FCS team and while UNLV is in the FBS, it is squarely in the Group of Five.

Morgan sees both players working hard to be able to see the field, but he notes that there is something of a learning curve when it comes to playing for the maize and blue compared to where each was beforehand.

“I think this is a different platform when you get here at Michigan. The way we practice, our process here — this is blue-collar tough,” Morgan said. “A lot of reps, two spot practices. I think for a kid who is coming in here that’s not used to that, even though you’re an older player, sometimes that ends up being an adjustment. But I think those guys, for the most part, are understanding what we want, what we need, and where we’re trying to go as a defense, and especially in the cornerback room.”

Fans will get an opportunity to see who starts in just 13 days when the maize and blue host Fresno State for the season opener at The Big House.

Who is standing out at CB for Michigan football opposite Will Johnson?

The fall camp battle at corner is going to be intense. #GoBlue

With Josh Wallace — who came in late last offseason via the transfer portal — having moved on, one of the big question marks facing Michigan football this offseason is the cornerback who will be playing opposite Will Johnson.

The Wolverines have some younger options, but none are proven as Wallace was during his time at UMass. But there’s one second-year player who appears to be in the running before fall camp to take that big leap forward.

New defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan appeared on the In the Trenches podcast with Jon Jansen and he sung the praises of sophomore Jyaire Hill — who didn’t play much last year, but should have a big opportunity to see the field early and often this season.

“I think if you just focus on the guys that were here this spring that competed really well, it’s Jyaire,” Morgan said. “I think he’s a unique player. He loves football. I think he’s growing up. He has a silly personality, but it’s a good thing. He can have fun in the hallway, clown and stuff like that. His parents done a great job with them. And then all of a sudden, when it’s football, he’s gonna hook it up. He’s not playing around. So I think that’s a guy that’s took a big step this spring. And I’m excited this fall to see where he’s at.”

Now, there are two transfers coming in who could also compete for the starting role opposite Johnson in former Albany CB Aamir Hall, and UNLV CB Ricky Johnson. Morgan told Jansen he hopes to evaluate them more in fall before commenting on them, since neither has seen any live bullets flying in Ann Arbor as of yet.

But there are some other players who are already on the roster who may have played more inside that Michigan is cross-training to play outside, as well.

“We had a lot of young guys playing with Keshaun (Harris) played a lot last year. J. Mac (Ja’Den McBurrows) did play some outside last year, along with nickel,” Morgan said. “I think those guys did a really good job this spring, but we try to get guys playing left and right not just field and boundary. And then if you play this only nickel, like (McBurrows), we try to get him to play reps outside as well. A guy like Jacob Oden that came in this spring, he played all over.

“So I think we just got to hone in a little bit at corner to see what can these guys do to help us win games, and I think it’s gonna be a combination of a lot of different players. And I think that’ll be good for us.”

Michigan football officially announces entire new defensive staff

The staff is now officially set. #GoBlue

It’s been exactly one month since Michigan football was revealed to be hiring former Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants defensive coordinator Don ‘Wink’ Martindale, whose defense was the archetype for those run in Ann Arbor under Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter. Not too long after, the Wolverines were revealed to be bringing in former Wisconsin defensive line coach Greg Scruggs, prodigal linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, and former Louisiana defensive coordinator LaMar Morgan as the new secondary coach.

On Friday, the maize and blue finally made the formal announcement that all have been added to the staff.

You can read the full press release below featuring background on all four coaches and Sherrone Moore’s reaction to hiring each of them.

Full release

University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Sherrone Moore announced Friday (March 8) the hiring of four full-time assistants to lead the Wolverines’ defensive coaching staff.

Moore’s first staff is led by Don “Wink” Martindale, U-M’s Matt and Nicole Lester Family Defensive Coordinator, who brings 19 years of NFL coaching experience to the program. Martindale was the architect of the defensive scheme that Michigan has run for the past three seasons and will continue to utilize as the framework for its 2024 unit.

The staff includes defensive line coach Greg Scruggs, linebackers coach/run game coordinator Brian Jean-Mary and defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator LaMar Morgan. The Wolverines have also added former defensive back Brad Hawkins as a graduate assistant coach.

“I am excited about the quality of the coaches that we have assembled on the defensive side of the football,” said Moore. “Men of great character who love the game of football and are tremendous teachers. They will put our defensive players in great position to succeed on and off the field. I am excited to work with this outstanding group of assistant coaches as we pursue championships for the University of Michigan.”

Following are comments from Moore on each of the full-time assistant coaches and biographical information on each individual:

Moore on Wink Martindale

“I am excited to have Coach Martindale join our staff as defensive coordinator. He has coached hall of fame players, coordinated some of the best defenses in football and his expertise and knowledge will help our players excel on the field. We are so excited to have the mentor to so many great defensive players and coaches join our staff at Michigan.”

Martindale Biography

He has coordinated the defense at three different stops in the NFL and has worked with four franchises over a 19-year career in the league: New York Giants (2022-23), Baltimore Ravens (2012-21), Denver Broncos (2009-10) and Oakland Raiders (2004-09). Martindale was the coordinator for the Broncos in 2010, served four seasons with the Ravens (2018-21) and spent two years heading up the Giants’ efforts (2022-23).

Across his time in the NFL, Martindale helped his players achieve 22 Pro Bowl seasons and 10 All-Pro campaigns, including four first-team performers in Elvis Dumervil (twice – Denver, 2009; Baltimore, 2014), Terrell Suggs (Baltimore, 2011) and Marlon Humphrey (Baltimore, 2019).

In New York, he helped the organization reach the playoffs in 2022, winning the Wild Card round against the Minnesota Vikings before losing to the eventual Super Bowl runner-up Philadelphia Eagles. Martindale was honored with the 2023 Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award, which is presented for lifetime achievement as an NFL assistant coach.

Martindale began a 10-year run with the Ravens organization as part of head coach John Harbaugh’s staff, consistently producing some of the NFL’s best defensive units. Martindale coached the inside linebackers for four seasons (2012-15) before leading the entire linebacking unit for two seasons (2016-17) and ending with a four-year run as defensive coordinator (2018-21). In his first season with the franchise, the Ravens went on to win Super Bowl XLVII as hall of famer Ray Lewis posted an NFL-leading 51 tackles in the postseason for a defense that forced 10 turnovers during that stretch.

The Ravens compiled a 43-22 record during that time and his units ranked in the top three in the NFL in points allowed in each of his first three seasons as a coordinator, and first, fourth and seventh, respectively, in yardage yielded while never finishing lower than eight against the run or the pass.

In Martindale’s first three seasons as a coordinator, Baltimore permitted both the league’s fewest points (18.2 avg.) and total yards per game (307.8) and was tied for the league lead with 12 defensive touchdowns. The Ravens led the league in number of players to record a sack (33) and second-half points allowed (401) during those three seasons, while ranking No. 2 in fourth-down stops (41) and opponent QB rating (81.9).

His 2021 defense led the NFL against the run, allowing 84.5 yards a game. Baltimore’s opponents converted only 34.8 percent of third down chances, the league’s third-best figure.

Martindale’s 2019 defense ranked fourth in the NFL by allowing 300.6 yards and helped the Ravens finish with a franchise-best 14-2 record and second straight AFC North Division title. The team’s six defensive touchdowns were tied for the second most in franchise history.

In 2018, the Ravens yielded an NFL-best 292.9 yards per game and established a modern era mark by not allowing a second-half touchdown in the first six games of the season. Martindale was recognized by Sports Illustrated/MMQB as the Assistant Coach of the Year and was the AP NFL runner-up for the same award.

Martindale joined the Broncos’ staff as linebackers coach in 2009 and aided a unit in Denver that ranked seventh in the NFL in yards per game. He mentored Dumervil, who led the league in sacks (17), to Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in his first year playing linebacker. In 2010, Martindale was promoted to defensive coordinator and worked with eventual hall of famers Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins.

In 2004, he made the move to the NFL and spent five seasons coaching linebackers for the Raiders (2004-08). Martindale spent his first two seasons working with the inside linebackers and assumed the entire linebacking corps over his final three seasons with the organization.

Martindale spent 12 years in the college ranks, including eight as a defensive coordinator. In that time, his players produced 30 all-conference honors and six I-AA All-American citations.

Prior to jumping to the NFL with the Raiders, Martindale was an assistant coach for three seasons (2001-03) at Western Kentucky under head coach Jack Harbaugh. Martindale was the special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach during his first two seasons, which included WKU’s run to the 2002 Division I FCS national championship. He was promoted to defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the 2003, where the unit ranked sixth nationally in yards allowed per game.

Martindale was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Western Illinois (1999). He spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati, beginning his tenure as the defensive ends coach (1996) and was promoted to special teams coordinator and linebackers coach during the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

He worked as a defensive assistant coach at Notre Dame during the 1994 and 1995 seasons, with the Irish earning trips to the Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl during his tenure.

Martindale played safety and linebacker at Defiance College, earning his bachelor’s degree in business education. He spent two years coaching at his alma mater, coaching the secondary during the 1986 and 1987 seasons. Martindale was elevated to defensive coordinator during his final season with the program.

A Dayton, Ohio, native, Martindale was an all-state linebacker at Trotwood-Madison High School.

Moore on Coach Greg Scruggs:

“I have known Greg since our time together at Louisville and have always appreciated his drive and passion for the game. We have stayed in contact through the years, and I always knew that Greg would be a great leader and teacher for a program that I was fortunate enough to assemble. Greg is a great football coach and an even better person. He will be an outstanding mentor for our players, especially the guys on the defensive line, and will help them achieve their football goals.”

Scruggs Biography

Prior to working with the Badgers, Scruggs spent the 2022 season in the NFL as an assistant defensive line coach with the New York Jets, where he worked with first-team all-pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (12 sacks), defensive end Carl Lawson (seven sacks), and tackle John Franklin-Myers (5.0 sacks). The Jets finished fourth in scoring defense (18.6 points per game) and seventh in sacks (45).

Scruggs began his coaching career at Cincinnati where he was defensive line coach for two seasons (2020-21) following two years as the program’s Director of Player Development (2018-19). In that role, Scruggs was the program’s NFL liaison, mentored UC players, and managed off-field initiatives such as team community service efforts. His tenure as defensive line coach coincided with the most successful stretch in program history, culminating with an appearance in the 2021 CFP Semifinal in the Cotton Bowl.

The Bearcats went 22-2 over the 2020-21 seasons while the defense ranked eighth (16.8) and 10th (16.5) in scoring defense, and 13th (324.6) and 10th (318.4) in total defense while racking up 30 and 39 sacks. Scruggs coached four players to six All-AAC accolades including three first-team and two second-team honors. He helped UC defensive end Myjai Sanders (third round, Arizona Cardinals) and defensive tackle Curtis Brooks (sixth round, Indianapolis Colts) become 2022 NFL Draft picks.

Scruggs was part of the 2011 Big East Conference Championship-winning team as a four-year player at Louisville (2008-11). He appeared in 42 games with 26 starts, totaling 61 tackles including eight sacks, and graduated with his degree in Sociology.

The Seattle Seahawks drafted Scruggs in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and he went on to have a five-year NFL career that included two Super Bowl titles (XLVIII, Seattle; LI, New England). Scruggs spent four years with the Seahawks (2012-15) before finishing the 2015 season with the Chicago Bears. He signed with the New England Patriots during the 2016 season.

A Cincinnati, Ohio, native, Scruggs attended St. Xavier, where he was part of the nation’s top-ranked high school football team and also played basketball.

Scruggs serves on the international board of directors and as a national spokesperson for Boys Hope Girls Hope, an organization centered on cultivating youth empowerment through the foundation of education and holistic support.

Moore on Coach Brian Jean-Mary

“Brian has been a part of my coaching network for many years. He is a great coach and communicator that I have been fortunate enough to work with and learn from at two different schools (Louisville and Michigan). Brian is an outstanding recruiter and developer of players, and I am really excited to have him lead our linebacking corps. He is familiar with our program and university and will jump right back in and make a major contribution to our team and program.”

Jean-Mary Biography

Jean-Mary is a 23-year coaching veteran with expertise on the defensive side of the ball and experience as an assistant head coach, having spent 10 seasons on the defensive staffs of Charlie Strong. He has coached in 19 bowl games and been part of four conference championship-winning teams during his career. An ace recruiter, Jean-Mary has helped produce top-15 signing classes at Texas (three), Tennessee (two), Georgia Tech (one), and U-M (one) along with a top-30 class at Louisville.

Jean-Mary has helped 10 players hear their names called in the NFL Draft: Louisville defensive backs Calvin Pryor (2014, first round) and Johnny Patrick (2011, third round), Louisville defensive ends Marcus Smith (2014, first round), Lorenzo Mauldin (2015, third round), Greg Scruggs (2012, seventh round), Michigan linebacker Cameron McGrone (2021, fifth round), Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks (2015, third round), Louisville linebackers Preston Brown (2014, third round) and Deiontrez Mount (2015, sixth round), and Georgia Tech linebackers Gerris Wilkinson (2005, third round) and Philip Wheeler (2008, third round).

At Tennessee, Jean-Mary helped the Volunteers rank top-10 in tackles for loss in all three seasons and top-10 in sacks once. Twice, the defense was top-20 in rushing defense and red zone defense. Linebacker Jeremy Banks totaled 128 tackles in Jean-Mary’s first season, the most by a UT linebacker since 2012. The defense doubled its TFL output (108) from the year before. In 2022, the Volunteers won 11 games including the Orange Bowl.

During his first stint in Ann Arbor, Jean-Mary helped Josh Ross (53 tackles), Michael Barrett (44), and McGrone (26) lead the linebacker unit; Ross set a high in solo tackles despite a six-game season. Barrett was All-Big Ten honorable mention in his first year as a starter while linebackers combined for 8.5 of the team’s 24 tackles for loss.

Over three seasons as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at USF (2017-19), Jean-Mary helped the Bulls’ defense become one of the nation’s best at forcing turnovers, defending the pass, and getting to the quarterback. USF collected 69 turnovers across three seasons (24, 21, 24) and ranked top-30 in turnovers twice. The Bulls ranked top-five in tackles for loss twice and in red-zone defense once. In his first year, the Bulls led the American Conference in total defense, improving from 120th to 37th from the year before, and scoring defense, improving from 92nd to 41st. Defensive tackle Deadrin Senat was one of five all-conference defenders before being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

At Texas, Jean-Mary developed four All-Big 12 linebackers and an All-American in Hicks (2014). UT averaged more than three sacks per game and ranked top-12 nationally in sacks in all three seasons he was on staff, including two top-five campaigns. Texas was top-25 nationally in six categories in 2014 and led the nation in fumble recoveries, finishing 11th the following years.

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 (2010-14). UL won three bowl games including the 2013 Sugar Bowl over No. 4 Florida. Louisville’s .885 win percentage (23-3) was the fourth-best in the nation across the 2012-13 seasons. Louisville posted back-to-back 7-6 seasons in 2010-11 and won a share of the 2011 Big East Title. The defense was top-20 in five categories in both seasons, including top-10 marks in pass defense and sacks per game in 2010, and rushing defense in 2011.

The Cardinals went 11-2 in 2012 to finish 13th in the BCS Standings with top-25 marks in passing defense and total defense. In 2013, the unit was among the nation’s best, leading the country in total defense, rushing defense, sacks per game, first downs allowed, and third-down defense with five other top-10 rankings.

Jean-Mary spent six seasons coaching linebackers at Georgia Tech from 2004-09, guiding the defense to rank top-30 in rushing, scoring, and total defense in five of his six years on staff. The Yellow Jackets led the nation in sacks and ranked second in tackles for loss in 2007 and finished top-20 in both categories in 2008. In 2009, Georgia Tech went 11-3 with an ACC Championship and made the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl.

Jean-Mary got started as a graduate assistant on the strength and conditioning staff at Louisville in 2000 before spending two seasons under Lou Holtz at South Carolina as a defensive graduate assistant coach (2001-02). He 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 while allowing 14.1 points per game (sixth nationally).

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.

Moore on Coach LaMar Morgan:

“LaMar is someone that I have enjoyed getting to know through this process. He came highly recommended by Jesse Minter and I saw why he is respected as an top notch defensive backs coach during our conversations. He is an excellent teacher and communicator, and his passion for football and for helping young men achieve their goals showed through in his interview. I am excited to have LaMar mentoring our defensive secondary and coordinating the passing game.”

Morgan Biography

Morgan came to Ann Arbor from the University of Louisiana program, where he spent two seasons (2022-23) as defensive coordinator and secondary coach. It was Morgan’s second stint with UL after he served as the program’s cornerbacks coach in 2019 and 2020.

Morgan took part in the inaugural AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute in 2018. The year before, he participated in the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy. He also attended the NCAA Future Football Coaches Academy in 2013 at the onset of his career.

In all four seasons with Morgan on staff, the Ragin’ Cajun secondary reached double-digit interceptions (10, 16, 15, 13). The unit ranked third nationally in 2020, and top-25 across the 2022-23 seasons. The defense improved its national ranks from 55th in passing yards allowed, 110th in pass efficiency defense, 105th in scoring, and 97th in total defense before Morgan’s arrival to sixth, second, 31st, and 33rd across those four categories by the end of 2020.

Throughout his time at the University of Louisiana, Morgan helped 11 players (six defensive backs) achieve 13 all-league seasons including four first-team accolades. He worked with and helped develop three players that signed free agent contracts: Michael Jacquet and Mekhi Garner (Philadelphia Eagles) and Eric Garror (Tennessee Titans).

In between his stints at UL, Morgan spent one year as cornerbacks coach at Vanderbilt (2021), returning to the school where he began as a graduate assistant. The Commodores improved from six interceptions across 2019 and 2020 combined to 13 interceptions (33rd, NCAA) in 2021 and had a top-30 red zone defense. Morgan helped develop Allen George, a player who signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Morgan coached safeties for three seasons, first at Louisiana Monroe (2016-17) and then at Houston (2018). At ULM, the defense was 16th nationally in passing yards allowed in 2016 and 20th in interceptions in 2017 and Morgan’s safeties were among the team’s leading tacklers at both stops.

His first full-time job came at Western Carolina as secondary coach for the 2014-15 campaigns. The Catamounts were fifth in the FCS in pass defense with 11 interceptions in 2014, the team’s most in five years. Defensive back Trey Morgan was a two-time All-Southern Conference selection and posted a league-leading six interceptions in 2014. Ace Clark was a first-team pick that year as well, one of four all-SoCon players Morgan mentored.

Morgan began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for two seasons at Vanderbilt (2012-13). He worked with the sam linebackers and nickels while the team posted consecutive 9-4 records and appeared in two bowl games. In 2012, the Commodores finished 19th nationally in total defense, 15th in scoring defense, 14th in passing defense, 13th in interceptions, and sixth in pass efficiency defense. The following year in 2013, the unit was 23rd in total defense, passing defense and pass efficiency defense, and 13th in interceptions. Cornerback Andre Hall was named All-SEC second team in both seasons with safety Kenny Ladler picking up first-team honors in 2013.

Morgan played four years as a safety in the ULL program (2003, ’05-’07), appearing in 40 games. Off the field, he was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (then the Draddy Trophy) and a five-time Sun Belt Conference Honor Roll honoree. Twice he was named to the Sun Belt Commissioner’s List.

Michigan football moves quickly to hire new defensive backs coach

The staff now appears to be complete. #GoBlue

Michigan football appeared to have its new defensive backs coach in a familiar face in former assistant Stephen Adegoke. Adegoke had agreed to come back to Ann Arbor before ultimately being lured to remain in the NFL by the Houston Texans, where he became the safeties coach a year ago.

The Wolverines moved quickly to find his replacement, it seems, poaching a current college defensive coordinator to fill the position.

According to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, the maize and blue have hired Louisiana defensive coordinator LaMar Morgan to take over the Wolverines secondary, as he’s expected to be hired as the new defensive backs coach.

Morgan was a two-year defensive coordinator for the Ragin’ Cajuns and is a former Louisiana safety who departs his alma mater for Ann Arbor. In the Sun Belt, the Ragin’ Cajuns were 75th nationally in total defense last season and were 50th the prior year. They were 51st and 56th in pass defense the past two years, as well, with Louisiana having giving up over 300 yards just twice last season.

Familiar with the scheme, Morgan previously coached at Vanderbilt under former Michigan football defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.