Four-star Detroit running back Michael Weber was one of a number major prospects to announce their decision on National Signing Day Wednesday, signing with Ohio State over Michigan.
Texas, Ohio State signees upset with coaching changes right after Signing Day
Cass Technical head coach Thomas Wilcher: “It’s a black eye on [Ohio State] University. They’re out there getting these young men under false pretenses.”
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
There’s just one problem. Ohio State running backs coach Stan Drayton, who reportedly played an instrumental role in Weber’s decision to sign with the Buckeyes, left for the Chicago Bears Thursday -- just one day after Signing Day. It’s a shrewd but not uncommon move for collegiate coaching staffs, waiting until their commitments have become official before announcing staff changes.
I'm hurt as hell I ain't gone lie
— Mike Weber (@mikeweber25) February 5, 2015 Weber’s high school coach, Thomas Wilcher, blasted Ohio State on the radio Friday, saying Weber had no warning about Drayton’s impending departure even though the coach certainly knew he would be leaving. Cass Technical is a football powerhouse in Michigan that regularly produces high-caliber prospects.
“I think Urban Meyer will have to step his game up; we’re going to have to talk,” Cass Tech football coach Thomas Wilcher told Detroit Sports 105.1 on Friday. “He has come to my school and got the No. 1 athlete two years in a row.
”You cannot come over here, come up to the north and walk out of here with your pockets full and not give us respect.
“That’s not gonna happen again, I can tell you that right now.”
Ohio State wasn’t the only program to do so in this year alone, as a number of schools announced staff changes soon after Signing Day concluded. Texas defensive line coach Chris Rumph was announced at the same position at Florida Thursday, and Houston defensive tackle Du’Vonta Lumpkin expressed his displeasure (and disbelief) on Twitter.
Really? 2 days after signing day?
— Call Me Deebs‼️ (@DeeChilllin) February 6, 2015 Guess i was lied to in my face
— Call Me Deebs‼️ (@DeeChilllin) February 6, 2015 Its not even the fact he left. Bc thats what coaches do. Its the fact i was told it wasnt going to happen
— Call Me Deebs‼️ (@DeeChilllin) February 6, 2015 Here was Lumpkin one day prior:
Getting off the phone with coach strong "coach rumph did not accept the offer"
— Call Me Deebs‼️ (@DeeChilllin) February 5, 2015 Among many other affected players, five-star CeCe Jefferson appears to have delayed signing with Florida in part due to coaching changes And four-star Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith announced his commitment to UCLA Wednesday, but after seeing reports that Bruins defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was heading to the Atlanta Falcons, he did not sign his letter of intent. Smith is still considering UCLA, Georgia, Texas A&M and Michigan.
