New Michigan coach Rodriguez hires more ex-aides from West Virginia

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez filled out most of his coaching staff Tuesday, bringing many of the assistants who helped him build West Virginia into a Big East power.

Rodriguez will be joined by six former Mountaineer coaches and five members of their support staff, choosing to keep only one of Lloyd Carr's assistants: Fred Jackson as running backs coach.

But he has not hired or identified who will be his defensive coordinator, the only opening left on his first staff with the Wolverines.

"I've got a lot of qualified guys already on the staff to be our defensive coordinator and I've got a guy or two to talk to this week," Rodriguez said before watching Michigan's basketball team play Indiana at Crisler Arena.

"My goal is to have the staff completely filled by this weekend before we go on the road recruiting, so that the players know who their position coaches will be."

Rodriguez on Tuesday announced he has hired: Calvin Magee, associate head coach/offensive coordinator; Tony Dews, wide receivers; Greg Frey, offensive line; Tony Gibson, secondary; Jay Hopson, defensive assistant; Rod Smith, quarterbacks; Bruce Tall, defensive assistant; Alex Herron, offensive graduate assistant; Jahmile Addae, defensive graduate assistant; and Eric Smith, offensive quality control.

Magee, Dews, Frey, Gibson, Smith and Tall coached with Rodriguez at West Virginia. Hopson is a former Southern Mississippi defensive coordinator.

"It's a great staff because most of the guys worked really well together, and the other coaches are really good," Magee said. "We had great staff meetings the last two days and we're fired up to get out on the road to recruit the best players in the country to come to Michigan."

Carr retired, ending his 13-season career as Michigan's head coach, on Jan. 1 at the Capital One Bowl. The Wolverines (9-4) ended the season beating Florida 41-35 to win their first bowl game since 2003, and went from being unranked to No. 18 in the final Associated Press poll.

Ron English is the only former Carr assistant who has landed a job. He was hired by Louisville to be its defensive coordinator, filling the same role he had at Michigan.

Tennessee might add two former Michigan assistants: offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Scott Loeffler.