3/2/06- Restoring Football Enthusiasm

The recent and radical shake up of Michigan’s assistant football coaching staff in this off-season, is viewed by many fans as a much needed move by Coach Carr to redeem a more competitive football team. These moves have certainly been long awaited and well accepted by most fans, with the exceptions noted below. That both the Offensive and Defensive Coordinators are leaving after a 7-5 season seems to be more than coincidence but that has not been publicly stated anywhere and I am sure would be denied with emphasis by Fortress Schembechler. The coaching changes are described as voluntary moves.

Many fans feel such moves were long overdue, especially in the case of defensive coordinator Jim Herrman. For a long time some have continuously and perhaps rather cruelly disparaged Herrmann’s abilities as a defensive coordinator and as a football coach, and are very happy at his departure. Certainly, I agree that it is time for him to leave the position in order to revitalize the defense, and I too am happy about it. Again, it was time for a change. Perhaps Herrmann’s defensive philosophies had gotten stale.

But there is a tinge of sadness in that things have not progressed as well as Coach Herrmann (and you and I) wanted them to. Certainly his 20 years with the program ended with more of a thud than he hoped for, but obviously things have not been going all that well defensively for some time. For example, it was his defense and perhaps call, that let the Gophers come from behind on a big play last year at crunch time to snatch victory from the jaws of the Wolverines. There have been far to many significant defensive lapses. As DC, he had to take responsibility for the decline in performance whatever the reasons. It is to his credit that he served as a lightening rod for the defensive failures without whining.

For those not acquainted with him, it has been easy to ascribe stupidity and incompetence to him in light of Michigan’s inexplicable defensive lapses and recent ordinary won loss records. The fact is, Jim Herrmann is neither a football illiterate nor an incompetent as many of his critics have alleged, and he is a good coach and as good a “Michigan man” as anyone.

Also, those of you that have met him know he is personable and you notice that dedication to Michigan football. It is genuine. So let’s wish him well in his new gig as linebackers coach for the New York Jets. It seems that will be a tougher audience for him to please than the Michigan venue. The New York press is brutal. Hey, he has proved he can take it. We have toughened him up. It is to be hoped the lasers of discontent don’t have reason to focus on his successor, newly minted Defensive Coordinator Ron English, for many years, if ever.

In contrast, there is almost universal appreciation of the job that Ron English has done with Michigan’s defensive backs the past couple of seasons. Remember all the injuries there this year and the freshman that played well at times? It appears he will change the style of the defense, wanting to build a tougher, harder hitting, more aggressive and simpler defense. Looks like a tall order, but who can argue with that? No one can forecast the changes in style precisely, and we may not know them all in the spring. After the Notre Dame game next year we will have more idea. Anticipation of a Ron English defense is one of the things restoring fan enthusiasm for the coming year.

The departure of Offensive Coordinator Terry Malone to the New Orleans Saints as an Assistant Coach was pretty much a surprise to all, although the dismal performance of the offense last year was a matter of fact. Many fans expressed surprise at this change, and some chagrin, which I shared, but when Michigan is near the bottom of the Big Eleven barrel offensively, something is wrong, even if there are significant injuries. There were those red zone difficulties last season. Although I have no inside information on any of these changes, it did seem from Terry’s published comments that he made this move a bit reluctantly.

In any event, he is another good Michigan man and coach with good people skills. I am sorry to see him leave with less success than anticipated, and certainly wish him every success in his future endeavors. If Braylon Edwards had been on the team last year it seems to me, Coach Malone might still be OC this upcoming year, as the offense would have had more success last year. It is now obvious Braylon meant more to any recent Michigan offensive success than I gave him credit for.

That Terry Malone is to be replaced by Coach Mike DeBord, Michigan’s OC in 1997, and erstwhile Head Football Coach of Central Michigan’s Chippewas, where he had a losing record, has left some fans under-whelmed. There are concerns expressed among some fans of favoritism as Carr and DeBord once rode to work together and are friends. His losing record at Central is cited. An alleged lack of offensive production while OC in his previous tenure at Michigan is cited. It should be noted that Gary Moeller had a losing record as Head Coach at Illinois and is highly regarded technically as an M coach.

There is a good possibility that Mike DeBord is smart enough to adapt to changing offensive times. Point production is now paramount and three yards and a cloud of dust obviously won’t do it anymore. I hope that he will establish a decent running game, that he will use his tight ends, and throw to his backs, and that he, like Joe Paterno, who had to change some ways of his own for a successful year, can invent and supervise a modern offense. He will stress ball security. Above all I hope he is opportunistic and takes what the other guys give him. This change of offensive philosophy is another area that has restored my enthusiasm for the upcoming year. This will be fun to watch. Fun, that is, only if many points are recorded on the scoreboard.

There have been two additions to the coaching staff from outside of the program. Ron Lee, last year Wisconsin’s DB coach, and a college veteran with 17 years experience, assumes the coaching of our defensive backs. Probably by now he is settled in Ann Arbor. He is moving from one nice town to another. Madison is also a great place to live.

Steve Szabo, last year DB coach for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, and a longtime college and professional defensive coach has been hired to guide the Michigan LB’s. What fan wouldn’t be happy with this addition of defensive know how. I have heard no complaints about these hires. Hopefully they will bring fresh ideas to the Michigan defense, and will work well with Coaches Stripling and English.

It appears special team responsibilities will be split among the staff, and that the recruiting coordinator will be an administrator and not a coach.

To see how all of this is going to work out is going to be worth the price of the ticket, even with the seat tax, when the season finally rolls around. Traditionally there are not this many coaching changes in a year at Michigan, especially not a change of both coordinators.

Among the things that I hope I leave the spring practice/spring game with is some confidence that the offensive line is going to be improved, especially left tackle. How is Adam Kraus doing and Alex Mitchell? Will someone on the OL from the 2005 class step up like Ortman, Schifano, Moosman or Zirbel, now that they have a year under their belt? Will Marques Slocum ever enroll? It will be a bonus for both his future and Michigan’s when this 6-4, 330 + talent matriculates at Michigan. He is giving it the old college try. I

It seems to me the development of the OL is one of the most important, if not the most important factor in Michigan’s success next year, but it is encouraging that they start with a solid core group of experienced players. Jake Long appears to be the best of the bunch, but he needs to have better luck, avoiding house fires and injuries.

Seldom do freshman contribute on the OL but usually red shirt. 2006er Justin Boren has the physique to be an exception at 6-3, 319. Probably it would be a sign of desperation on the OL if a freshman plays but it seems possible he might make the two deep, even if it seems more likely he will red shirt and maybe become a future leader at center. He is from Ohio and his father played for Michigan.

It will be interesting to see how much Mike Hart has developed and the same for Kevin Grady. I’d like a look at Andre Criswell and Mister Simpson. Has Will Paul developed? I think 2006er Carlos Brown, 6’, 205, and a blazer RB, is enrolled and will participate in the spring practice. I wonder if he could garner some PT in that crowded backfield or will he red shirt. According to newspaper articles, Jerome Jackson has painted himself into Coach Carr’s doghouse because of his participation in some rap allegedly disparaging a young lady. Max Martin has transferred but the RB position is still loaded.

So are the receiver positions. While Jason Avant collected over 1,000 yards last year, and will be a fairly high pick in the NFL draft (it’s a poor year for receivers) and Jason has good hands, it seems that possibly Mario Manningham will fill more playing time handily by greatly increasing his production. Experienced Carl Tabb is back. Adrian Arrington’s big frame will be back from injury. Antonio Bass and Steve Breaston will shine. I think Breaston will break thru as a receiver this year. Doug Dutch is on tap, and I am really looking forward to seeing red shirt frosh LaTerral Savoy play. He is highly regarded, and I have heard good things regarding his abilities.

Defensively, it will be interesting to see the development of players like Jamar Adams, Sean Crable, Terrance Taylor, Chris Graham, Tim Jamison, and a dozen others. Will Ryan Mundy be back or is he finished with football? How will Johnny Sears do? Is Zoltan Mesko ready to take over the punting? There is another 2006er with great physical strength and attributes that could possibly see some action at linebacker. His name is Brandon Graham and he is 6-2 and 250 with good speed. Even though David Harris returns, I think LB is one of Michigan’s greatest area of need. Coach Szabo has his work cut out for him.

This time of year, before Michigan’s men’s basketball team participates in March Madness (if they do), and golf is possible up here in this world of ice and snow and otherwise unpredictable weather, it is nice to look ahead to spring football practice. It starts March 18th, and culminates on April 15th, when the spring open practice (or game) will be held. You would think the UM official football site would have the exact dates listed, but they don’t seem to at this time. At least my latest look there did not find the dates.

The game/practice is something to look forward to even if April 15th is the traditional deadline for income tax filing. Since the 15th is a Saturday you can put off the inevitable pain of filing until the 17th, I’ve heard, and enjoy the happy returns of Michigan spring football on the 15th.

So it seems the enthusiasm of many fans for Michigan football is again restored. This enthusiasm reminds me a little of Samuel Johnson’s comment on second marriages, which, he said, are the triumph of hope over experience. Maybe this year football hope and experience will be equal. As always….

Go Blue!

Andy Andersen
andy@umgoblue.com

Andy is a Michigan graduate and long time Michigan Football fan, having attended games during the tenures of Fritz Crisler, Bennie Oosterbaan, Bump Elliot, Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller, and Lloyd Carr. He attempts to present articles consistent with the concerns and interests of Michigan Fans.

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