Michigan Hires New Defensive Coordinator

 Harbaugh is back at work trying to replace staff members who departed this off season. One year wonder Mike Macdonald went back to the Baltimore Ravens to be their new Defensive Coordinator after John allowed Jim to loan him for their Big Ten title season. To replace him, baby brother Jim seems to be dipping back into the Ravens coaching lineage. In comes Jesse Minter.

Minter spent last season as the Defensive Coordinator for Vanderbilt, prior to that he was on the Ravens staff for 4 seasons, 3 of which were with former DC Macdonald. 

Unlike Macdonald, Minter does have some coordinator experience. He was the DC at Indiana State for a season before joining the Georgia State staff for three seasons in the same role. He also won the Sun Belt recruiter of the year award while at Georgia State. 

Many people, especially rival fan bases, will look at Vanderbilt's defensive statistics last season and mock this hire. The Commodores were 119th in scoring defense, 113th in passing defense, 108th in rushing defense and 118th in total defense. Not very appealing from the outside looking in. However what Minter brings, besides play calling experience, is continuity with the defense. His background with Macdonald will make the transition as seamless as possible. Which is important for a program that is on their 3rd DC in as many years. He also fits the younger staff mentality that Harbaugh started last season and was very successful with. 

Time will tell if this was a good hire or not, it's not the sexy pick and surely won't get anyone shivering in fear of Michigan. However neither was Macdonald, but the Harbaugh's are football coaching royalty and are locked into the coaching world. Jim Harbaugh doesn't make this move without properly vetting Minter and getting the recommendation from John Harbaugh and Mike Macdonald. 

I'll reserve judgement on Minter until after we see what he can do with the young talent Michigan has on defense, it will surely be more enjoyable than what he dealt with at Vandy with their lack of athletes in the vaunted SEC. But from a continuity stand point this hire makes sense, and here at 2BlueandOSU we'll remain cautiously optimistic. 



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