The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/447116
Projections On The Rest Of The Story Michigan opted to unveil the new assistant football coaches one by one, so Jim Harbaugh's staff was officially incomplete at press time for The Wolverine. Mean- while, some sleuthing and multiple reports allowed a fairly clear picture of how things were shaping up unofficially. Michigan's other potential assistants sounded like they're in the mold of those who have already been announced — vastly experienced and having worked in some high-caliber environments. Here are some projections regarding the remain- der of the staff: Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach: Jedd Fisch, former Jackson- ville Jaguars offensive coordinator. Fisch started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Florida under Steve Spurrier, followed by NFL jobs with the Texans, Ravens and Broncos before being hired as the University of Minnesota's offensive coordinator in 2009. He went to the Seahawks for a season and then spent two years as Miami's (Fla.) offensive coordinator before joining the Jaguars. Running Backs Coach: Tyrone Wheatley, former Wolverine and running backs coach of the Buffalo Bills. Wheatley became an assistant coach at Ohio Northern in 2008 with responsibility for the team's running backs. He was hired by former U-M assistant Ron English as a running backs coach at Eastern Michigan for the 2009 season; in February 2010, he was hired to replace Roger Harriott on Doug Marrone's staff at Syracuse, and in 2013, he left Syracuse, along with Marrone, to join the Bills. Tight Ends Coach: Baltimore Ravens offensive quality control coach Jay Har- baugh. The son of U-M head coach Jim Harbaugh has worked the past three sea- sons for his uncle, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, including during a Super Bowl championship season two years ago. Prior to that, the 25-year-old Jay worked as an undergraduate assistant coach at Oregon State. Special Teams Coach: Former Fresno State and USC assistant coach John Baxter. Baxter turned the Bulldogs' special teams into one of the top units in the nation annually. During his time, Fresno State blocked 84 kicks and punts (including a national-best 49 from 2002-09) and scored 39 special teams touchdowns (with three safeties). Safeties Coach: Mike Zordich, the safeties coach for Youngstown State in 2014. could also be headed for Ann Arbor. Zordich, a former NFL safety and an All- American at Penn State, is reportedly leaving his job with the Penguins to join Harbaugh's staff. — John Borton