Since the end of the 2012 season, many a coordinator has been on the receiving end of a new contract that involved a raise and/or extension. None, though, may have deserved an enhanced deal more than Greg Mattison.
In that vein, UM announced Friday that Brady Hoke‘s defensive coordinator has agreed to a three-year extension of his original contract. Mattison is now signed through the 2016 season.
The coordinator was entering the final season of his original contract.
The release announcing the extension made no mention of any financial enhancements being included with the extension. Mattison’s original deal paid him $750,000 annually.
“Greg has proven to be one of the top coordinators in the country, college or pro, and he is regarded as one of the best recruiters in college football,” said athletic director David Brandon in a statement. “Greg’s resume speaks for itself, and he has done great things with our defense in his two years with the program. He has great passion for the University of Michigan and for the young men that represent our team. We are glad to have Greg in the fold for the foreseeable future.”
“Great things” might actually be an understatement on Brandon’s part.
In 2010, the year before Mattison’s arrival in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines were 108th in scoring defense (35.2 points per game) and 110th in total defense (450.8 yards per game). It was the worst defense in the history of the storied program.
The year after, with Mattison in charge of that side of the ball, the unit improved to sixth in scoring defense (17.4 ppg) and 17th in total defense (322.1 ypg). In 2012, they were 20th (19.8 ppg) and 13th (320 ypg) in those two categories, respectively.
“Michigan is such a special place and it’s exciting to know I’ll have the opportunity to coach at the greatest program in college football for the next four years, and hopefully long after,” the 63-year-old Mattison said. “Part of the reason I came back here is because I wanted to work with Brady (Hoke) again, and every day I’m thankful I made that decision. There’s not a better coach or man to work for.”