Ad Disclosure
Michigan fans, media react to Michigan firing defensive coordinator Don Brown
Published:
The news that Michigan has released defensive coordinator Don Brown has rippled through social media.
Brown was at the helm of the UM defense that drastically regressed in 2020.
Despite the difficulties, according to USA Today’s annual database of salaries for college football assistant coaches, his $1.1 million base salary, and $600,000 retention bonus in April, made Brown the highest paid assistant in the B1G.
While the Wolverines have had several successful seasons since Brown came aboard in 2016, the Wolverines had a dismal 2020 campaign, allowing the 11th most yards per game on average in the B1G.
Michigan managed just a 2-4 season, and had just a single victory after their win in the season opener over Minnesota.
Reaction across social media to Brown’s departure was swift.
Don Brown's defenses at Michigan the past five years in national ranking (yards per play allowed): second (2016); sixth (2017); eighth (2018); 10th (2019) and 56th (this year).
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 22, 2020
Don Brown being fired means Christmas came early for me! Let’s Go Blue〽️〽️〽️ @UMichFootball
— Shea Common (@shea_common_0) December 22, 2020
Michigan has dismissed Don Brown
Bailed out by a ton of NFL talent in his early years here and refused to make adjustments when his defense got exposed. This move needed to be made🤷♂️
— Michigan Moments (@GoBlueMoments) December 22, 2020
It appears Don Brown’s time in Ann Arbor has come to an end. His defense got worse each year he was with Michigan. https://t.co/JComSfXIGO
— Jason Lewis (@JasonLewis_TV) December 22, 2020
SOURCE: #Michigan has dismissed defensive coordinator Don Brown.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 22, 2020
Jokes aside, Michigan fielded some elite defenses under Don Brown. Four years in the SP+ Top-11.
The question now is who will want to sign with a program whose HC isn't even a guarantee? https://t.co/IIF6xkvi0w
— /r/MichiganWolverines (@UM_Wolvereddit) December 22, 2020
so harbaugh is next right..? cause don brown wasn’t the issue.. https://t.co/7wpJndSRYs
— fifty shades of jai. (@KillaaJAM) December 22, 2020
In a vacuum Don Brown's defenses always did well, especially statistically. Except against elite competition like Ohio State. That was the problem. https://t.co/aooAdkfHxO
— Andrew Keck (@andrewkeck) December 22, 2020
Don Brown's defenses at Michigan the past five years in national ranking (yards per play allowed): second (2016); sixth (2017); eighth (2018); 10th (2019) and 56th (this year).
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/SportsGuyRyGuy/status/1341492208814448644
TTUN fired DC Don Brown today, despite significant improvement against Ohio State in recent years.
2018: 62 points
2019: 56 points
2020: ZERO POINTS pic.twitter.com/qo6WrXxLtC— Arrogant Urban Meyer (@ArrogantUrban) December 22, 2020
So Don Brown is the fall guy at Michigan and not Jim Harbaugh. Brown should of been fired after 2018 https://t.co/YPR7zntaQ1
— Russell Rutigliano (@RustyRages) December 22, 2020
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.