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Ohio State announced former Michigan defensive line coach Greg Mattison as its new co-defensive coordinator Monday. Just one day later, the Buckeyes hired former Michigan linebackers coach Al Washington.
There was a rumor swirling around saying Michigan was not set to renew Mattison’s contract. Those rumors appear to be...well, just rumors.
According to ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren, Michigan actually did just the opposite and offered Mattison a two-year contract extension AND a bump in pay.
According to @TomVH, Michigan offered Greg Mattison a two-year extension and a raise before he departed for Ohio State. https://t.co/kdv70TuYT3
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) January 8, 2019
Apparently the raise in pay was not enough for Mattison, as he still decided to take the money in Ohio.
This is an interesting development, as Mattison has been with Michigan before head coach Jim Harbaugh was hired. Mattison was one of the only coaches retained, and it seemed like he would retire a Wolverine, especially after these comments were made to The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen:
Also of note, from Mattison's wife, in December:
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) January 7, 2019
“Greg’s been offered several coordinator jobs over these years with Jim (Harbaugh). We’ve never really ever mentioned it to Jim. Obviously we want to stay here.”
Obviously not.
All Harbaugh can do now is get up and start looking for replacements for both Mattison and Washington.