Coordinator Carousel: Big Ten Coaching Changes

May 20th, 2008 by Drew Howard

While head coaches get most of the glory, a good coordinator can single-handedly morph a unit from sub par to successful given the right coaching strategies. Drew Howard and the guys at College Gridiron Boss continue with the Big Ten.

Northwestern

Defensive Coordinator
Out: Greg Colby. Colby was fired following an uninspired 2007 performance by his defense, which was capped by an embarrassing lay down at Illinois.

In: Mike Hankwitz. This is a very interesting hire. Hankwitz had a couple of very good defenses at Wisconsin the past two seasons. However, he was fired by Bret Bielema during the offseason. Hankwitz is a very experienced coach, and may be the perfect fit for the young Pat Fitzgerald. Regardless, the Wisconsin/Northwestern matchups in the future will be much more intriguing. Offensive Coordinator
Out: Garrick McGee. McGee took a demotion of sorts, heading to Arkansas where he will coach Bobby Petrino’s quarterbacks.

In: Mick McCall. Northwestern has been very successful on offense while using the spread attack, and the hiring of McCall from Bowling Green should keep that philosophy in place.

Michigan

Offensive Coordinator
Out: Mike Debord. Lloyd Carr left Michigan, so there was a massive staff overhaul.

In: Calvin Magee. Magee has been with Rich Rodriguez since 2001, so he has a familiarity with the offense. His performance and tutoring of the QBs will be key to any Michigan success in 2008.

Defensive Coordinator
Out: Ron English. English left Michigan to go to Louisville where he will try and rebuild a decimated defense.

In: Scott Shafer. Shafer has some Big Ten experience at Illinois, but his last stop was at Stanford, where he coached with a Jim Harbaugh, a “Michigan Man.”

Minnesota Defensive Coordinator
Out: Everett Withers. Withers was hired as North Carolina’s defensive coordinator. It could not have been because of his 2007 defense – Minnesota was awful in every respect (118th in FBS), and any hope of a turnaround must start on defense.

In: Ted Roof. While many fans will remember Roof from his less than stellar days as the Duke head coach, his trek up the coaching ladder was as a defensive assistant. He will have a lot of work to do, but nowhere to go but up.

Purdue Offensive Coordinator
Out: Bill Legg. With Danny Hope coming on board, Legg was reassigned but chose to leave and become the coordinator at FIU.

In: Ed Zaunbrecher. Zaunbrecher is now the sole offensive coordinator, though with Hope on the staff, it remains to be seen how much control he will really have in West Lafayette. Coach Z has a very traveled past of strong offenses so keep the Boilermakers on your fantasy radar.

Wisconsin Defensive Coordinator
Out: Mike Hankwitz. Hankwitz was let go during the offseason, and will be working at Northwestern in 2008 (see above).

In: Dave Doeren. Doeren has been promoted from linebackers coach, but these moves have Head Coach Bielema’s fingerprints all over them.

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