Coaches Corner: What needs to be done

Defense:

1) Pick a philosophy and scheme and stick with it. Michigan will have problems recruiting until players know what they are playing, and can be matched to what Michigan will be doing.

2) Give the new defensive doordinator (yes, I think Coach Shafer is gone and has been for two weeks) the leeway to hire his own staff. A defensive doordinator should not be saddled with coaches who do not share the same philosophy as he does.

3) Make defense at least as high a priority as offense. What do I mean? Michigan has ten coaches on staff: six on offense, and four on defense. Offensive coordinator is not a position coach, but the defensive coordinator is. That speaks volumes to me.

4) Get the entire staff on the same page: offense, defense, and special teams. A head coach can leave the defense to his defensive coordinator and staff; many, if not most head coaches specialize on one side of the ball. However, it will not work unless the philosophies mesh, and all are pulling in the same direction. This is not happening at Michigan right now.

5) Recruit, Recruit, Recruit, as MaizeMan has stated! Michigan has not had a difference maker on defense since Charles Woodson left. I also agree with MaizeMan when he says recruit not just for bodies, but elite level talent. Check the NFL draft. Since Woodson left, I can think of only one Michigan defender who has been drafted in round #1. Just not good enough.

6) Stop the finger pointing, especially in media. Calling out the defensive coordinator, especially when Rodriguez himself said this type of tactic never works, is a recipe for disaster. What top defensive coordinator is going to sign on if he thinks that at the first sign of trouble his boss is going to dump on him, and then in mid-season take away his authority? Coach Rod had enough problems hiring a defensive coordinator in the first place; this cannot help.

Offense:

1) Find a Quarterback who fits the spread. This should be priority #1, and I think it was. However, this needs to be priority #1 every season,and I think it will be. Quarterback in this offense has to be better than just average. Let's hope we can keep the committed kids we have at this position.

2) Develop vertical passing game- Until Michigan starts backing those corners and safeties up, much of the short passing game that makes this offense a pain in the ASS to defend will not be there. Michigan needs to find at least one more deep threat split end.

3) Get slot receivers other than Odoms involved. When Koger was catching passes, this offense was tough to stop. But when all that opposing defenses have to do is focus on Odoms, things slow down. Getting a quarterback who can check down and look off will be a big help here.

4) Find an offensive center: Molk has been improving, but he is not an ideal fit for this offense and zone blocking. This is not personal, and I love this kid's heart and attitude, but he is not what this offense needs. At the Michigan Coaches Clinic, Coach Frey said offensive center is the toughest position to play, and it is the most important position on the line. He also said that in this offense, the center needs to be your best offensive linemen.

5) Block, Block, and Block: This team is not good at blocking and it's more than just the offensive line. Split ends, slots and running backs have also been less than stellar with their blocking. I counted five times yesterday while watching game film where if the split ends blocked, Minor and Shaw could have had big gains instead of short ones.

6) Recruit, Recruit, Recruit, as stated by MaizeMan! Yes it sounds like a broken record, but it's the same as on defense. Michigan’s offense does not have a difference maker right now. Unlike the defense, UM has had some offensive difference makers in recent years: Braylon, Jake Long, and others. But nowhere near enough, and none now. Michigan needs playmakers everywhere.

Special teams:

1) Kudos to Odoms and Mesko, they are the type of athletes Michigan needs on special teams. A top place kicker should be a high priority.

I am sure I missed some, but IMHO again, after re-watching game film multiple times, those are the most pressing issues for Michigan, Coach Rod and staff.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine