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- Former Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis made it very clear that he is much happier at Miami.
- In his explanation of why he left to coach the Hurricanes, Gattis took indirect shots at Jim Harbaugh and his coaching style.
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Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh thought that he was headed to Minnesota to take the same job with the Vikings. Instead, he returned to the Wolverines and had to replace both of his coordinators— in February.
In late January, Michigan’s defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald took a role on the Baltimore Ravens staff. Just a few days later, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis left for the same position at Miami.
Both departures raised some questions, but the way that Gattis left certainly didn’t help the optics. On his way out of Michigan, Gattis sent a cryptic text message to his players and fired shots at his former program and its administration.
He also threw shade at Harbaugh and the administration during his introductory press conference at Miami earlier this week. It was indirect, but it was clear.
At first, Gattis discussed how hard it was to leave Michigan.
“I’m excited just to be here at the University of Miami,” Gattis said. “Obviously, it was a very emotional week — as far as leaving. Any time you go through change, it’s always hard because I felt like I didn’t leave players behind — I feel like I left friends behind. I’m a person that’s built on relationships. And coaches that have worked for me, they’re always going to tell you, ‘It’s about relationships.’ I left a tremendous amount of friends.
My family is still back in Michigan right now. So that’s always hard, going through change. But the thing that helps you get through change is surrounding yourself with great people.”
And then he took his shots.
While explaining what led him to take the Miami job, he made it very clear that he appreciates Mario Cristobal. In his praise of his new head coach, Harbaugh caught strays.
Clearly, what Cristobal does do differently that Gattis likes, Harbaugh did not.
Here is what he had to say:
“And being here with coach Cristobal and the staff he’s putting together, the energy, the excitement — I walk past coach every day and just say, ‘Thank you.’ And he pops in, checks on me. And when you’ve got a guy like that leading your program and you believe in his vision, he sets the tone and energy and excitement throughout the program. And so, I’ve just been so blessed to be here.”
Shots most certainly fired.