New RB coach from Cincy

Submitted by jerseyblue on

Per Brandon Justice : University of Cincinnati DL coach Al Washington is coming to Michigan to coach RB's.

lhglrkwg

January 4th, 2018 at 11:45 AM ^

He was a DT in college and actually has more experience coaching D-line than running backs. 

COACHING CAREER

YEAR: SCHOOL - POSITION

2007: RPI - Defensive Line

2008: NC State - Graduate Assistant

2009-10: Slippery Rock Univ. - Defensive Line

2011: Elon - Linebackers

2012: Boston College - Asst. Special Teams/Asst. Defensive Line

2013-15: Boston College - Running Backs

2016: Boston College - Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line

2017-: Cincinnati - Defensive Line

Bones032

January 4th, 2018 at 3:15 PM ^

And they had some fumbles at really bad times that costs us.

Higdon fumble against Purdue sparked their 10 straight points.
Isaac fumble against MSU killed our momentum big time.
Higdon fumble in the bowl game prevented us from going up 23-3.

Not going to declare that the RB coaching was great, sorry.

DairyQueen

January 4th, 2018 at 12:46 PM ^

not trying to be contrarian, but i totally disagree.

higdon and evans highlights were essentially the uncoachable skills (evans shiftiness, and higdons acceleration and jump cut), but as far as coachables pass-pro, gap patience, ball security, etc, a lot of it was pretty terrible.

Also, the fact that we have yet to get a regularly utilized RB that even breaks 200lbs is absurd. I'm happy to use smaller, shifty, speedy guys, nothing against them, but you also need to be able to pound the ball for 4-5 yards every play if you really want to be able to win.

trustBlue

January 4th, 2018 at 1:52 PM ^

I dont know about that. This was the first year in the last 3-4 years where we were not constantly assailed with RBs constantly missing holes and cutback lanes.

All of these players have talent. Derrick Green had talent. Thomas Rawls had talent. Coaching is about translating talent into production, and this was the first year since _???_ that we've seen any consisent production from multiple RBs 

BlueWon

January 4th, 2018 at 2:00 PM ^

Criticisms of JayBaugh being on this staff are anything but hot takes. He doesn't have the chops to be in any sort of position coaching position at UM. It's not like UM is operating in a vacuum -- if casual fans can point out the shortcomings you gotta know it's being brought up on the recruiting front (where we are swinging and missing with regularity).

Nothing against Jay but let him go cut his teeth at GVSU like everyone else does.

ashwood35

January 4th, 2018 at 12:25 PM ^

If you can't coach em up the talent only goes so far. Not saying this dude can't coach but recruiting is only part of the game. I would say I'd rather have a stud teacher of the game and system than a stud recruiter.

Coordinator is calling the plays but if the kids cant execute the call it doesn't matter. Positional coaching is just as important as coordinator

ashwood35

January 4th, 2018 at 12:25 PM ^

If you can't coach em up the talent only goes so far. Not saying this dude can't coach but recruiting is only part of the game. I would say I'd rather have a stud teacher of the game and system than a stud recruiter.

Coordinator is calling the plays but if the kids cant execute the call it doesn't matter. Positional coaching is just as important as coordinator

Firstbase

January 4th, 2018 at 11:57 AM ^

...to coach running backs? 

1. Protect the football.

2. Follow your blocks/blockers.

3. Don't directionally cut off of your inside foot.

4. Run to daylight.

5. Run hard and get positive yards after contact.

I think I'm qualified! Plus, I'll do it at a fraction of the cost of the typical assistant coach.

/s

DairyQueen

January 5th, 2018 at 2:50 PM ^

That being said, Gary does seem to injure himself due to over-pursuit.

He also injured McCray on an over-pursuit play in the bowl game.

Gary seems tough as nails, but he certainly has been 3rd or 4th man-in on an already tackled player and ended up coming out for the series/rest of the game. Those 300lbs at 4.5 40-time are like an F1 car hitting a wall.