Poona Ford? Didnt UT snub him?Jan 21, 2020: Go back through new Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary’s history as a recruiter, and it paints the picture of someone who can be successful on the trail at Michigan. He has experience, has recruited in talent-heavy states, and been in on the recruitment of many highly ranked, nationally recruited prospects.
...Jean-Mary’s ability to identify and recruit talent goes back to Georgia Tech, which was his first FBS coaching stop. One of his most notable recruits there was Cooper Taylor out of Atlanta Marist, who he was the primary recruiter for. Taylor played as a true freshman for the Yellow Jackets, then finished his career at Richmond where he became a fifth-round draft choice of the New York Giants.
At Texas, he was the primary recruiter for five-star linebacker Malik Jefferson, who signed with the Longhorns. He also helped recruit Top 100 prospect Jeffrey McCulloch and was the primary recruiter for Poona Ford, a defensive tackle from South Carolina who is now with the Seattle Seahawks.
“That’s a fantastic hire for Michigan,” said Hilton Head (S.C.) head coach B.J. Payne. “He is a phenomenal recruiter and a great coach. He does things differently, which pays off. Like in the spring when coaches come twice in the spring, I’ve seen him go back-to-back days, stay fresh in a kid’s mind, instead of here and back in two months.”
Jean-Mary had Ford, a Hilton Head native, committed when he was at Louisville, and got him to follow the staff to Texas. “He built a rapport with Poona, and Poona wasn’t the easiest guy to build a relationship because of how quiet he is,” Payne explained. “He just does a phenomenal job. He is full of energy. And he always has time. Even before he signed Poona, after Poona was gone, when he was at USF, if I texted, called, he would always text or call me back whether that was to do with a recruit or a general question. He’s a great dude. That’s a really big win for Michigan.”
After Texas, Jean-Mary was at USF. While he was not battling for five-star recruits with the Bulls, he was finding under the radar talents. One of those was Antonio Grier, who, despite being in talent-laden Atlanta, was under-recruited. Jean-Mary was his primary recruiter. This past season, Grier had 58 tackles (8.5 for loss) four sacks, and a forced fumble for the Bulls.
That combination of being able to recruit top national talents and also find the gems is one that should be exciting to Michigan fans. He has also been in the halls at IMG Academy and top programs in Texas and Florida.
Hiring Brian Jean-Mary is a 'really big win' for Michigan recruiting
Now maybe everyone can give up on the Kevin Steele BS...it’s almost as bad as Gruden and yes I realize he is actually on payroll because of Philmer but nobody wants him there.