Michigan Football Tidbits: Michigan vs. Ohio State -- The Defensive Coaches

Michigan Football Tidbits: Michigan vs. Ohio State -- The Defensive Coaches

CoachBt has spent time with both staffs in the past and this spring. Not going to grade or give advantage to one school over the other, but will give an overview of impressions of how they work and what players have told me about coaches.

Let me start by saying that I have tremendous respect for any one who is a coach. The amount of commitment and work these coaches put into this job is crazy and they sacrifice a lot to be coaches. (CoachBt) has coached sons of University of Toledo coaches and it absolutely kills them when they have to miss their kid's games and events.

Defense:

Defensive Line:

Coach Tall (Michigan):
Super active and involved. works the sidelines very well. He is constantly meeting with players and coaches every second. Defensive line did show some improved fundamentals last season, but did not perform as well as expected. B. Graham and RVB played better this spring. I hope that this continues when games count.

Coach Heacock (Ohio State):
Majority of the techniques I teach and how I teach them come from Coach Heacock and Fickell. Ohio State's defensive line is always solid and improves from one season to next. He is outstanding teacher.

Linebackers:

Coach Hopson (Michigan):
Talk about tough situation. Only three healthy scholarship players this spring. In addition, two of them from 2008 class. I was disappointed with linebacker play last season, although I thought Mouton showed improvement. I would still like to see more from linebackers. Coach Hopson is very active on sidelines and in drills. He is also very intense and vocal.

Coach Robinson -- Hybrids -- (Michigan):
He has a super resume and definite presence on field. He is very active in all parts of defense coaching and is always coaching.

Luke Fickell (Ohio State): Seems like Ohio State loses great linebackers every year and just plugs in new ones. He is very intense and high energy. In my opinion, he has shot at being head coach when Coach Tressell steps down.

Defensive Backs:

Coach Gibson (Michigan):
Much maligned, fairly or unfairly. Thought our safety play against pass improved, tackling not so much. In addition, thought defensive backs play showed improvement this spring, but until defensive backs show improved, play on game day Coach Gibson will be under the microscope. Was the least visible of Michigan's defensive assistants, and not as vocal as other three on the staff.

Coach Haynes (Ohio State):
Has been known for safety play since Coach Tressell arrived. However, has slipped some in recent years and have rumbles about Coach Haynes. He is very high energy and active.

Coach Johnson (Ohio State): You can hear Tavar all over the field. In addition, the cornerbacks are showing improved play. In my opinion he is a future defensive coordinator.

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Defensive Coordinators:

Coach Robinson (Michigan):
He has a super resume and definite presence on field. He is very active in all parts of defense coaching and is always coaching.

Coach Heacock (Ohio State):
He calls the plays, but Ohio State has used same basic philosophy since Coach Tressel arrived. Coach Heacock and Coach Fickell are co-defensive coordinators.

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Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine