Coaches Corner: The Future, Part 1

As has been stated, expect more defections. This will not get to staff, same happens at most places where new regimes happen. When Coach Tressel took over at Ohio State, same thing happened. In addition, it is not to cut players either. Some just do not see themselves fitting into new program, or the commitment to it. Michigan needs to get players and coaches all on the same page and all believe in each other to turn this program around.

2) Coach Rod and staff need to be excellent salesmen with players who stay not only for their own self, but for the incoming recruits that could help rebuild this team in a hurry. These players busted their asses last winter with promise of success. Players are hearing and reacting to all the negatives in media and even from friends. It is up to staff to resell players, and get them to commit same as last winter and even work harder since they know how the off-season works now under this staff.

3) Broken Record time RECRUIT, RECRUIT AND RECRUIT. This must happen and get players that can come in and play. It is time to get involved with 2010, 2011 also and get players interested in Michigan and try to get those young recruits to Michigan. The earlier you get these kids on campus the more they will get interested in Michigan and will want to come back to the Michigan campus. There are many of the 2010 recruits already leaning. That is why on GBW with Braylon's updates are so encouraging. He is talking about 2010 and 2011 recruits. One of the top, if not top 2010 offensive linemen in Ohio is already strong lean for Ohio State. Being proactive with these underclassmen is becoming more and more important just like it has been in basketball the last several years.

4) Michigan coaching staff needs to be visible, and open, same as last winter / spring. It is very easy to be reactionary after season like 2008 and return to “fort” mentality. This would be huge mistake. Staff needs to be visible. Work the clinic and lecture circuit, go to high school basketball and wrestling events to show they are interested. Be available for banquets and award events. Being visible is 90% of battle.

5) Do same as last spring and make all practices and scrimmages open to high school coaches. This is where you can really make contacts and relationships. Staff did excellent job with this last year, and it needs to continue. Give out e-mails, answer questions, be available. This is worth it weight in gold. This is one thing the coaches even admitted they did not do as much, but all the coaches knew the staff had a lot on their plates just taking over the program and signing a recruiting class, getting ready for spring ball and then having spring ball.

Part 2 today will be about the offense.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine