Mailbag Question: What needs to be done in the off-season

Hey guys,

What do you think the Michigan program needs to do in the spring (off-season) to have a good fall?

I keep hearing you and others say that the Big Ten conference is easier to "get good" fast. Can you explain what you mean.

Thanks,

Tim

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Thanks for the question.

There are a few things that we would like to see:

1) Continue to emphasize the Strength and Conditioning program under Coach Barwis. This is as much to help develop mental toughness as it is to improve physical conditioning. Michigan needs a good dose of toughness.

2) Decide on a defensive philosophy, so you can start to recruit and implement it. Bouncing between schemes and philosophies is a recipe for disaster. Get a defensive coordinator in there and let him do his thing -- and do not change things up when things go wrong. When the offense was doing so badly last serason, we didn't notice anybody "butting in" and asking to change things up.

3) Improve the public relations aspect and perception of the program. Have all the coaches hit the clinics and lecture tours and talk with high school coaches and other college coaches. Be proactive with the media and players who leave. Quit letting our opponents define us and what is happening with our football program.

Written by CoachBt an ErocWolverine