Chris Partridge got shook loose from his job as DC at Ole Miss and people started doing the eyebrows thing and pointing suggestively and saying things like "hey, you know, what if?" And lo, Rivals is reporting:
Can confirm that #Michigan is set to hire Chris Partridge as an assistant coach. A welcomed addition (again).
— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) February 6, 2023
There is as of yet little clarity on how exactly Michigan is going to shoehorn him onto the staff, but Henschke has said that neither coordinator is getting bumped (Steve Clinkscale has a co-DC title). George Helow coaches linebackers, which is also Partridge's specialty, and would seem to be under threat. He might make it, though: in the past Michigan has used "spackle some Jay on it" as method of moving guys around. We'll see how everything shakes out.
In Partridge's first go-around at Michigan he was known as a top-tier recruiter, which was the major reason Lane Kiffin picked him off when he went to Oxford. Partridge's tenure as DC didn't go very well—Ole Miss was 50th in the SP+ defensive rankings this season—but if he's coming to be a recruiting coordinator sort of position coach that's a win. We even have a picture of him that looks like he's making a surprise appearance at the Royal Rumble as the announcer screams "OH MY GOD THAT'S CHRIS PARTRIDGE'S MUSIC." That's gotta mean something.
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Mercury Hayes
February 6th, 2023 at 12:25 PM ^
Spackle some Jay on it is a trusted method. Underrated "utility" coach.
Joined: 08/18/2010
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massblue
February 6th, 2023 at 1:46 PM ^
I can see Jay moving to the front office and becoming director of recruiting. Of course, Helow or CP could move there, but it appears that both will be coaching.
Joined: 08/15/2009
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kyeblue
February 6th, 2023 at 1:56 PM ^
Jay can move on to pave his new path.
Joined: 09/18/2009
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Monkey House
February 6th, 2023 at 2:20 PM ^
Jay should already be a head coach at a MAC school
Joined: 09/05/2014
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Double-D
February 6th, 2023 at 3:13 PM ^
Jay’s resume is getting nicely filled out.
Joined: 12/21/2013
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WeimyWoodson
February 6th, 2023 at 3:21 PM ^
Why anyone would want Jay to move on is beyond me.
Joined: 08/25/2015
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massblue
February 6th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^
I think someone with his organizational skills and someone who has the trust of Jim could be a real asset in managing recruiting and NIL.
Joined: 08/15/2009
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Monkey House
February 6th, 2023 at 4:20 PM ^
Who said they want him to move on?
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Jmer
February 6th, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
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MGoBlue-querque
February 6th, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
I, for one, love this hire... and Roman Numerals.
Joined: 12/05/2012
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Booted Blue in PA
February 6th, 2023 at 12:27 PM ^
in a pear tree!
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BlueSky
February 6th, 2023 at 12:58 PM ^
Coach Moeller is smiling from above.
Joined: 01/11/2015
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LakeWylieBlue
February 6th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
🎉 🥳
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Tom in AnnArbor
February 6th, 2023 at 12:33 PM ^
How was his recruiting at OleMiss? I hope he wasn't just a few year trick pony with his strong ties to Peppers and Gary. Is our collective confidence high that he can get back to that level for UM?
I'm also not sure what level that Helow is considered in terms of recruiting.
This hire does seem like something to be excited about. Let's F'ing Go.
Joined: 06/12/2018
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Maison Bleue
February 6th, 2023 at 12:37 PM ^
From what I recall, CP recruited really well in Georgia when he was here.
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bluebyyou
February 6th, 2023 at 1:06 PM ^
Wecome back coach Partridge!
Howeva...
Even the best recruiter is going to have a problem when program A is offering millions of dollars to recruits and program B says we will pay you well, maybe, after you prove yourself on the field.
I believe Michigan is well acquainted with the benefits of 5* and top 4* talent. Unless we play the same game other programs are doing with NIL, recruiting for the top talent will remain a tough slog.
Joined: 09/07/2009
MGoPoints: 15792
AZBlue
February 6th, 2023 at 1:39 PM ^
The Peppers-Gary nonsense comes from our "friends" up the road in East Lansing, who will go on to explain that his hiring was essentially under the table pay-for-play so that M would land both players.
Truth be told the man appears to be a VERY good recruiter and a heck of a coach. He did pretty well with both LBs and S when he coached/recruited them -- (Dax Hill was during his tenure IIRC even if he wasn't lead recruiter.) I also think he was offered a lateral move to 'Bama the year before he left -- chosen specifically for his recruiting chops.
Looks like he rose up to DC too quickly when Kiffin offered big $$ but you need to believe in yourself and take the leap I guess.
The only negative I recall with CP in regard to recruiting was that he was so aggressive and successful recruiting to Paramus HS that some other NJ coaches did not like him to the point that we actually had less of a chance on kids from those schools early on.
Joined: 09/14/2008
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NotADuck
February 6th, 2023 at 2:18 PM ^
I pointed this out a couple weeks ago when it first came up but Partridge won 247's Recruiter of the year award AFTER Peppers and Gary's class. He definitely did NOT get the award because of a couple guys he used to coach ended up going to Michigan.
Joined: 12/20/2013
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rjc
February 6th, 2023 at 12:36 PM ^
Excellent news, welcome home CP!!!
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UWSBlue
February 6th, 2023 at 12:37 PM ^
I am 100% a CP fan. My 9 year old son was on the rope line near the team buses after the 2016 Rutger massacre and CP directed several players over for photos and autographs. My kid committed to Michigan that evening for class of '25. #CoolStoryBro
Joined: 08/11/2012
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Magic_Fan
February 6th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^
jesus, a 9 year old in 2016 will be ready for college in two years? i'm too old for this shit
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MGoPoints: 2394
bronxblue
February 6th, 2023 at 12:41 PM ^
A huge pickup as a recruiter and this staff needs that. I'm not s