"Rich spoke with everyone individually last night and did not want to hold them up in exploring other options," said school spokesman David Ablauf. "He has rehired Fred Jackson as an offensive coach."

Rodriguez met with the coaches one by one at Schembechler Hall yesterday, as the retiring Carr packed up his belongings in boxes, clearing space for his successor.

Carr will coach the Wolverines on Jan. 1 against Florida in the Capital One Bowl, ending his 13th season as their head coach, then Rodriguez will take over.

But the former West Virginia coach already put his mark on the program by firing each of Carr's assistants, all of whom were given two-year deals in March that will pay them through Feb. 28, 2009. Their firings are effective after the bowl game.

Jackson had been fired along with Ron English, defensive coordinator; Mike DeBord, offensive coordinator; Erik Campbell, wide receivers and assistant head coach; Vance Bedford, defensive backs; Scot Loeffler, quarterbacks; Andy Moeller, offensive line; Steve Stripling, defensive line; and Steve Szabo, linebackers.

While helping Michigan prepare to play the Gators, the assistant coaches are free to pursue other jobs. If they don't land a job, they still will be paid by the school.