Hitting the skids

In all the hullaballoo (is that a word?) regarding the changeover in coaching staff, one change in the football administrative staff has been overlooked. Apparently, Recruiting Assistant Gene Skidmore (a native of Wyandotte, MI) is no longer on staff. Although his boss, Recruiting Coordinator Chris Singletary was rehired it appears that Skidmore was quietly replaced by one of Coach Rodriguez' West Virginia guys by the name of Michael Parrish. Parrish was given the title of Recruiting/Operations Assistant. His bio indicates that he is joining the Michigan staff after a two-year stint with Rodriguez at West Virginia (2006-07). Parrish worked as an Administrative Graduate Assistant after earning his bachelor's degree in business administration from WVU.

Skidmore (or "Skids" as he was affectionately known) worked for four (4) years as the Recruiting Assistant for the Michigan Football program. Prior to that, he worked as an intern in the University's Athletic Media Relations Office. Skidmore's wife Ana (Gjesdal) is a former Michigan cross country and track athlete. The loss of Skidmore's experience will be felt as the coaching staff hits the recruiting trail Sunday in a last push before Feb. 6th signing day to bring in a class of 25 players. "Skids" will be sorely missed around Schembechler Hall. Go Blue!