Posted 6:00am -- 1/3/2016
The Status of the Program -- In the Beginning (2015) -- Part I
This is the first part of a three part series about Michigan football. At this time, it is only for the GBMWolverine Message Board. The first part will detail the time period from January of 2015, a couple of days after Coach Harbaugh was hired, to the January 1, 2016 Citrus Bowl game against Florida. It is fittingly designated as in the beginning. The second part will chronicle the current state of the program, and the third part will attempt the difficult task of prognosticating where the program might be down the slippery path of time.
Coach Harbaugh took over the program to the glee of most Michigan followers. There were several reasons for the giddiness, reasons that still remain. First of all, Jim Harbaugh possessed clear and close association with the legendary Bo Schembechler.
Secondly, as such, Harbaugh has, since the mid 1980’s, been anointed with favorite son status, the only stain on said status being his “unfortunate” denigration of Michigan’s academic level concerning athletes. An old saying to remember is that everything that originates in the brain does not necessarily need to exit through the mouth. As Myers- Briggs personality type research indicates, certain very smart, successful folks have a weakness in important communications like his perceived academic status firebomb. This is called tertiary function. Essentially, those with other types are more successful in such delicate communications. This does not mean that Harbaugh cannot communicate with proficiency, by type theory this phenomenon simple indicates more propensity for verbal “slips.” As we mentioned here upon the Harbaugh hiring, simply accept that this will happen, play ostrich for a day or two, and move forward.
Third, Harbaugh has clear, obvious, and noteworthy success as a college quarterback and an NFL 15 year quarterback, and recently as a collegiate and professional level coach. His notables include knowing how to win, quarterback coaching, and offensive design. Harbaugh had the good fortune of being around Bo and Mike Ditka, two coaches who clearly contributed to Harbaugh’s foundational belief system, but one could deduce that Harbaugh was a very willing disciple in what some may term the old style belief system.
However, even with his background, player success, and potential connections, Jim Harbaugh made his own success in the coaching sphere. He volunteered for his father, Jack, a legendary coach to anyone who has been a part of the coaching fraternity. He took a previously struggling University of San Diego program to unparalleled and quick success. In his third year as head Coach, Harbaugh led the team to a best ever 11-1 record. This success transferred to Stanford and the San Francisco 49’ers. Just a few years ago, he was the hottest commodity in coaching and his last quest at San Francisco only slightly tarnished his “value.” It is the third commodity, Harbaugh’s past and almost universal success, that most enthuses the Michigan fan base.
The year 2015 started with the usual bold statements and pronouncements that new coaches seem almost obliged to make. But immediately Harbaugh’s attention turned to remolding Michigan into a better brand of football, albeit one that had some familiarity to old school followers. The above qualifier some is used because football always changes and Michigan is not running the base option from the I formation and relying on the defense to keep the opponents in single digits. That was a part of the 1970’s, but offenses have evolved to the point where it is difficult for any defense and coordinator to hold teams like Baylor or Ohio State under 35 points.
Harbaugh’s first major task was to assemble a coaching staff that through collective knowledge, collective work, and effective technique, could spur the game performance of the Michigan players forward. He clearly succeeded in this mission, although some had misgivings about the eventual continuity of the staff due to the perceived path of professional coaches wanting to return to the NFL. The coaches Harbaugh hired had experience, demonstrated player success, and knew well the foundational scheme of football. Without a broad underlying knowledge of the game and clear efficiency at player performance within the designated position group assignment, coaches do not stay in the NFL.
Then, on to Harbaugh’s specialty, creating an effective mechanistic system that must first possess the proper parts to execute the vision. The first group to receive scrutiny was the somewhat understaffed and unproven quarterback stable. Essentially, Harbaugh inherited a highly touted and loyal local product, Shane Morris, who was a back-up to Devin Gardner, as well as an early admission candidate in another local product, Alex Malzone, big-framed Wilton Speight, and finally Russell Bellomy. Bellomy exited the program gracefully, and smartly, as it is a near certainty he would have been buried on the depth chart as a 4th or lower choice. Bellomy and Morris had unfortunate, perhaps even traumatic, experiences, being thrown by necessity into bad game situations. Inexperience and little offensive line support contributed to bad outcomes (injuries and poor performance) that derailed any developmental progression.
Clearly Harbaugh probably held out some hope for the future of Morris or Speight. But more so his high intensity quarterback recruiting divulged that hope was not the mainstay of his quarterback recruitment policy, instead, stacking the roster with high potential recruits would serve as the dominant methodology. And so, Harbaugh flipped the athletic, 6’ 7” Texas four-star commit Zach Gentry to the Michigan roster. He secured the transfer of gunslinger John O’Korn from Houston. Finally, in perhaps Harbaugh’s greatest achievement of the 2015 roster formation, Jake Rudock, placed on the back-up roster by Iowa, found his way to Ann Arbor as a graduate transfer. This was critical since Rudock was immediately eligible.
Spring practice came and went as did a few of Michigan’s players. The Spring Game confirmed that the problems of the past still remained- offensive line inability to support a strong running game, so-so running back play, linebackers who did not play well against spread teams, and finding a quarterback who could reverse the trend of grievous turnovers, stay in the pocket, and show enough throwing accuracy to move the chains when needed. Rome was not built in a day and the problems listed above take coaching, time, and sufficient talent to eliminate.
The season started on the road against Utah on the first day of the new season, also the first game of the Harbaugh Era. Utah was healthy, highly ranked, well coached, with a strong defense, and having the luxury of several returning difference makers on offense. Things got off to a rough start with a bad read route leading to an interception. The offense again looked impotent, to be expected as any common logic would dictate concerning the conditions and past history, but as the game wore on a few teasing sparks, most notably the last drive by Rudock, brought the game within a touchdown, providing some hope for the future.
Coming home for three home games certainly helped. The Wolverines could simply focus on getting better. This fertile period yielded wins and clear improvement. Oregon State, UNLV, and a somewhat depleted BYU were easily dispatched and the offense averaged about 30 points a game against less than stellar defenses. The defense only gave up 14 points in a five game stretch. The running game slowly showed some life, mostly when DeVeon Smith was full speed, and the passing game still had trouble hitting the big play. Near misses plagued the newly melded quarterback and receivers. The wins over BYU and Northwestern were worthy of acknowledging Michigan’s overall team play. The offense was not overwhelming, but the days of plenty of three and outs, even against average opponents, appeared to be disappearing as the offense, having better balance and some running success, kept on the field. The defense had its best stretch of the year.
And so, on to the Michigan State game went Michigan with a 5-1 record. Michigan toughness (lack of) had been an agreed upon difficulty in previous years against the Spartans. Michigan played well but Michigan State found a wrinkle play where a defender was not in position and the result was a long touchdown that put MSU back in the game. The final fumbled snap was a punch in every soft organ of the Michigan body.
Harbaugh kept the air in the balloon and Michigan had an open week to attempt to heal physically and psychologically before traveling to Minnesota. The Minnesota team was inspired by the retirement of Coach Kill and played with intensity and toughness. Michigan had difficulty running or passing and the game seemed to follow the Nebraska disaster script of a few years ago with a Michigan quarterback being injured and a little known and inexperienced player being thrown into the mix. The running game was so-so and the offense continued to sputter. Then Wilton Speight hit a couple of big plays. Minnesota was in position for a likely win and then fumbled clock management. The defense stopped a quarterback sneak a foot short of the goal line and Michigan, instead of following the past recipe for turning victory into defeat in close games, found a way to win and skipped town.
Rutgers was easy pickings at home, the running game picked up, still it was becoming obvious that to put up big points Michigan needed to rely on the passing game, regardless of program philosophy. The inconsistent, but physically talented Jehu Chesson started to catch the ball. His speed having increased the last two years, experience bringing improvement, the acrobatics on the long ball were always present but the eye-hand coordination or lack of soft hands resulted in major drops.
Off to Indiana for the wildest game of the year went Michigan. The Hoosier spread and hurry up offense exposed Michigan’s defensive liabilities. But unlike Ohio State, Indiana’s defense could not hold serve. Back and forth went the game. Michigan never secured a safe lead and the game went into overtime and again the defense bailed the team out on a final play. Michigan was in trouble, but the passing game that created big plays and Jake Rudock’s scrambling proved to be enough to keep UM one touchdown ahead for much of the game.
On the road again against a bowl eligible Penn State team that showed decent line play, Michigan’s run game again struggled and the passing game provided enough mass to earn a less than exiting 28-16 win.
So, the up and down, give and take, Big Ten season with one improbable loss and two semi-improbable wins brought Michigan to the rivalry game against Ohio State owning a 9-2 record. The Wolverines played well for only about 20 minutes and every second half offensive option by Ohio State worked. Ohio State credited a change in who was up in the press box calling plays as a primary reason for the improvement in play calling success versus the now infamous Michigan State loss.
Harbaugh resisted the temptation to dwell on the rout and focused on recruiting and the Citrus Bowl match-up against defensive minded Florida. The line showed improved play and Smith and Johnson, being reasonably healthy, had a good day. The passing attack matched the running game in effectiveness. Florida, as has happened the last few years, was quarterback-challenged, much like the Michigan team of the previous two years. All in all, the Wolverines, team and fans both, had a day to remember. It can be discussed whether the result was more due to Michigan’s preparation and improvement, or Florida’s laying down; it matters not. As Belichick would say, “We’re on to the rest of 2016.”
Michigan coaches are in the final flurry of finishing the 2016 recruiting class. It is hard to imagine that Michigan will strike out on all of the near dozen high profile targets remaining. The question to be answered soon is which recruits chose Michigan on signing day.
One conclusion must be presented: the program improved in many regards, including program vision, game management, player development, and competitive edge. The Michigan team was not the toughest team in the nation, but much, much improved. This improvement led to a couple of close wins, wins that in the future the coaches would prefer to be clear cut and not contested wins. Rudock and Chesson were the best examples of player development and the needed coaching patience to see such efforts to fruition.
Next up, what will be in store for the program the next several months?
Written by GBMWolverine Message Board Staff — Doc4Blu
Go Blue — Wear Maize!
The Status of the Program -- In the Beginning (2015) -- Part I
This is the first part of a three part series about Michigan football. At this time, it is only for the GBMWolverine Message Board. The first part will detail the time period from January of 2015, a couple of days after Coach Harbaugh was hired, to the January 1, 2016 Citrus Bowl game against Florida. It is fittingly designated as in the beginning. The second part will chronicle the current state of the program, and the third part will attempt the difficult task of prognosticating where the program might be down the slippery path of time.
Coach Harbaugh took over the program to the glee of most Michigan followers. There were several reasons for the giddiness, reasons that still remain. First of all, Jim Harbaugh possessed clear and close association with the legendary Bo Schembechler.
Secondly, as such, Harbaugh has, since the mid 1980’s, been anointed with favorite son status, the only stain on said status being his “unfortunate” denigration of Michigan’s academic level concerning athletes. An old saying to remember is that everything that originates in the brain does not necessarily need to exit through the mouth. As Myers- Briggs personality type research indicates, certain very smart, successful folks have a weakness in important communications like his perceived academic status firebomb. This is called tertiary function. Essentially, those with other types are more successful in such delicate communications. This does not mean that Harbaugh cannot communicate with proficiency, by type theory this phenomenon simple indicates more propensity for verbal “slips.” As we mentioned here upon the Harbaugh hiring, simply accept that this will happen, play ostrich for a day or two, and move forward.
Third, Harbaugh has clear, obvious, and noteworthy success as a college quarterback and an NFL 15 year quarterback, and recently as a collegiate and professional level coach. His notables include knowing how to win, quarterback coaching, and offensive design. Harbaugh had the good fortune of being around Bo and Mike Ditka, two coaches who clearly contributed to Harbaugh’s foundational belief system, but one could deduce that Harbaugh was a very willing disciple in what some may term the old style belief system.
However, even with his background, player success, and potential connections, Jim Harbaugh made his own success in the coaching sphere. He volunteered for his father, Jack, a legendary coach to anyone who has been a part of the coaching fraternity. He took a previously struggling University of San Diego program to unparalleled and quick success. In his third year as head Coach, Harbaugh led the team to a best ever 11-1 record. This success transferred to Stanford and the San Francisco 49’ers. Just a few years ago, he was the hottest commodity in coaching and his last quest at San Francisco only slightly tarnished his “value.” It is the third commodity, Harbaugh’s past and almost universal success, that most enthuses the Michigan fan base.
The year 2015 started with the usual bold statements and pronouncements that new coaches seem almost obliged to make. But immediately Harbaugh’s attention turned to remolding Michigan into a better brand of football, albeit one that had some familiarity to old school followers. The above qualifier some is used because football always changes and Michigan is not running the base option from the I formation and relying on the defense to keep the opponents in single digits. That was a part of the 1970’s, but offenses have evolved to the point where it is difficult for any defense and coordinator to hold teams like Baylor or Ohio State under 35 points.
Harbaugh’s first major task was to assemble a coaching staff that through collective knowledge, collective work, and effective technique, could spur the game performance of the Michigan players forward. He clearly succeeded in this mission, although some had misgivings about the eventual continuity of the staff due to the perceived path of professional coaches wanting to return to the NFL. The coaches Harbaugh hired had experience, demonstrated player success, and knew well the foundational scheme of football. Without a broad underlying knowledge of the game and clear efficiency at player performance within the designated position group assignment, coaches do not stay in the NFL.
Then, on to Harbaugh’s specialty, creating an effective mechanistic system that must first possess the proper parts to execute the vision. The first group to receive scrutiny was the somewhat understaffed and unproven quarterback stable. Essentially, Harbaugh inherited a highly touted and loyal local product, Shane Morris, who was a back-up to Devin Gardner, as well as an early admission candidate in another local product, Alex Malzone, big-framed Wilton Speight, and finally Russell Bellomy. Bellomy exited the program gracefully, and smartly, as it is a near certainty he would have been buried on the depth chart as a 4th or lower choice. Bellomy and Morris had unfortunate, perhaps even traumatic, experiences, being thrown by necessity into bad game situations. Inexperience and little offensive line support contributed to bad outcomes (injuries and poor performance) that derailed any developmental progression.
Clearly Harbaugh probably held out some hope for the future of Morris or Speight. But more so his high intensity quarterback recruiting divulged that hope was not the mainstay of his quarterback recruitment policy, instead, stacking the roster with high potential recruits would serve as the dominant methodology. And so, Harbaugh flipped the athletic, 6’ 7” Texas four-star commit Zach Gentry to the Michigan roster. He secured the transfer of gunslinger John O’Korn from Houston. Finally, in perhaps Harbaugh’s greatest achievement of the 2015 roster formation, Jake Rudock, placed on the back-up roster by Iowa, found his way to Ann Arbor as a graduate transfer. This was critical since Rudock was immediately eligible.
Spring practice came and went as did a few of Michigan’s players. The Spring Game confirmed that the problems of the past still remained- offensive line inability to support a strong running game, so-so running back play, linebackers who did not play well against spread teams, and finding a quarterback who could reverse the trend of grievous turnovers, stay in the pocket, and show enough throwing accuracy to move the chains when needed. Rome was not built in a day and the problems listed above take coaching, time, and sufficient talent to eliminate.
The season started on the road against Utah on the first day of the new season, also the first game of the Harbaugh Era. Utah was healthy, highly ranked, well coached, with a strong defense, and having the luxury of several returning difference makers on offense. Things got off to a rough start with a bad read route leading to an interception. The offense again looked impotent, to be expected as any common logic would dictate concerning the conditions and past history, but as the game wore on a few teasing sparks, most notably the last drive by Rudock, brought the game within a touchdown, providing some hope for the future.
Coming home for three home games certainly helped. The Wolverines could simply focus on getting better. This fertile period yielded wins and clear improvement. Oregon State, UNLV, and a somewhat depleted BYU were easily dispatched and the offense averaged about 30 points a game against less than stellar defenses. The defense only gave up 14 points in a five game stretch. The running game slowly showed some life, mostly when DeVeon Smith was full speed, and the passing game still had trouble hitting the big play. Near misses plagued the newly melded quarterback and receivers. The wins over BYU and Northwestern were worthy of acknowledging Michigan’s overall team play. The offense was not overwhelming, but the days of plenty of three and outs, even against average opponents, appeared to be disappearing as the offense, having better balance and some running success, kept on the field. The defense had its best stretch of the year.
And so, on to the Michigan State game went Michigan with a 5-1 record. Michigan toughness (lack of) had been an agreed upon difficulty in previous years against the Spartans. Michigan played well but Michigan State found a wrinkle play where a defender was not in position and the result was a long touchdown that put MSU back in the game. The final fumbled snap was a punch in every soft organ of the Michigan body.
Harbaugh kept the air in the balloon and Michigan had an open week to attempt to heal physically and psychologically before traveling to Minnesota. The Minnesota team was inspired by the retirement of Coach Kill and played with intensity and toughness. Michigan had difficulty running or passing and the game seemed to follow the Nebraska disaster script of a few years ago with a Michigan quarterback being injured and a little known and inexperienced player being thrown into the mix. The running game was so-so and the offense continued to sputter. Then Wilton Speight hit a couple of big plays. Minnesota was in position for a likely win and then fumbled clock management. The defense stopped a quarterback sneak a foot short of the goal line and Michigan, instead of following the past recipe for turning victory into defeat in close games, found a way to win and skipped town.
Rutgers was easy pickings at home, the running game picked up, still it was becoming obvious that to put up big points Michigan needed to rely on the passing game, regardless of program philosophy. The inconsistent, but physically talented Jehu Chesson started to catch the ball. His speed having increased the last two years, experience bringing improvement, the acrobatics on the long ball were always present but the eye-hand coordination or lack of soft hands resulted in major drops.
Off to Indiana for the wildest game of the year went Michigan. The Hoosier spread and hurry up offense exposed Michigan’s defensive liabilities. But unlike Ohio State, Indiana’s defense could not hold serve. Back and forth went the game. Michigan never secured a safe lead and the game went into overtime and again the defense bailed the team out on a final play. Michigan was in trouble, but the passing game that created big plays and Jake Rudock’s scrambling proved to be enough to keep UM one touchdown ahead for much of the game.
On the road again against a bowl eligible Penn State team that showed decent line play, Michigan’s run game again struggled and the passing game provided enough mass to earn a less than exiting 28-16 win.
So, the up and down, give and take, Big Ten season with one improbable loss and two semi-improbable wins brought Michigan to the rivalry game against Ohio State owning a 9-2 record. The Wolverines played well for only about 20 minutes and every second half offensive option by Ohio State worked. Ohio State credited a change in who was up in the press box calling plays as a primary reason for the improvement in play calling success versus the now infamous Michigan State loss.
Harbaugh resisted the temptation to dwell on the rout and focused on recruiting and the Citrus Bowl match-up against defensive minded Florida. The line showed improved play and Smith and Johnson, being reasonably healthy, had a good day. The passing attack matched the running game in effectiveness. Florida, as has happened the last few years, was quarterback-challenged, much like the Michigan team of the previous two years. All in all, the Wolverines, team and fans both, had a day to remember. It can be discussed whether the result was more due to Michigan’s preparation and improvement, or Florida’s laying down; it matters not. As Belichick would say, “We’re on to the rest of 2016.”
Michigan coaches are in the final flurry of finishing the 2016 recruiting class. It is hard to imagine that Michigan will strike out on all of the near dozen high profile targets remaining. The question to be answered soon is which recruits chose Michigan on signing day.
One conclusion must be presented: the program improved in many regards, including program vision, game management, player development, and competitive edge. The Michigan team was not the toughest team in the nation, but much, much improved. This improvement led to a couple of close wins, wins that in the future the coaches would prefer to be clear cut and not contested wins. Rudock and Chesson were the best examples of player development and the needed coaching patience to see such efforts to fruition.
Next up, what will be in store for the program the next several months?
Written by GBMWolverine Message Board Staff — Doc4Blu
Go Blue — Wear Maize!
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