Austin On Whether He's Interested In Michigan Job: 'No, I'm Interested In This Job'
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) - Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin reacted strongly to the firing of Michigan head coach Brady Hoke, with whom Austin coached at Michigan from 1999 to 2002.
"I hate it," Austin said Thursday. "Brady Hoke's a good friend. Again, I know it's part of our business, but you hate it, and I know Brady's a good man, and I know a lot of guys on that staff, they're good people, and I wish them well."
Austin smiled at the question of whether he would be interested in the Michigan job.
"No," he said, "I'm interested in this job."
In four years under Hoke, the Wolverines went 31-20, the team's record worsening each season. The slide culminated in a record of 5-7 this season, leaving the Wolverines ineligible for a bowl.
The 49-year-old Austin has no head coaching experience, having spent most of his career as a defensive backs coach, but Austin had no prior experience as an NFL coordinator until this year.
Three-quarters of the way through the season, the Detroit defense still ranks first in the NFL in points per game, allowing on average just 17.3.