Doug Nussmeier Radio Interview
Nice twenty minute interview of Doug Nussmeier. Though much of it is a retread of things we have discussed here at length (simplfied schemes, reducing negative plays, etc.), there are some new talking points particularly concerning his time at Alabama.
Link? Link.
Can also be downloaded to your favorite podcast player. Just search for "The Audible."
So what did he say, in a few words?
I wouldn't say it was anything new that you haven't heard him say. Basically just taking care of the football, eliminating negative plays, and making good decisions. He also said sacks/negative plays were a team thing and not just on one guy. Breakout player of the spring was Canteen basically because he was new and they didn't know much about him coming in. He's real good at saying something but not saying much at the same time.
Cut from the same cloth as Hoke, that's for sure.
How many practices in do you think it'll be before the words "boo boo" come out of his mouth?
Hoke trained him very well in that aspect. He's coached under John L. Smith, Sarkisian, Saban, and now Hoke. He said in the interview he's taken certain things those coaches did and implemented them in his approach.
Exactly the same stuff Borges was saying this time last year
I love scrubs!!! great show
- Sacks are not just OL; QB has to make good decisions and not hang onto the ball too long.
- Canteen was a pleasant surprise in the spring.
- Wants Jabrill Peppers on offense, but it's Hoke's call.
- Wants to be a head coach some day. (My personal opinion: no way he stays more than 3 years, if that.)
- A lot of reasons for the move from Bama to M. The opportunity to coach at Michigan was hard to pass up ("you only get so many opportunities in this profession"), even at Bama.
- Need to do well early with new CFB playoff system. Big games against App. State and ND.
- No sugarcoat on Derrick Green. He was "definitely out of shape" last year. That's why you can't put too much expectation on a freshman.
- Has taken something different from each coach he has worked under. The biggest thing with Saban is to tell players to focus more on individual responsibilities (Saban's infamous "do your job" mantra) than on W/L results.
- QBs take a while to integrate into a new system. (Don't expect too much from Gardner, esp. after injury?)
- Nuss didn't say much about OL. He seems more focused on QBs, RBs, and WRs.
I think that's it. Anyone want to add anything noteworthy?
"Be responsible for yourself and don't expect others to put in your work for you"
/s
The last two seasons have been rough and lowered my expectations. I don't know what it is but with every interview, article, inside Michigan football vid, etc., my optimism for a great year is steadily growing.
I hate the way that always happens. Every May I have the bar set good and low, just to be safe. By August I'm like screw it, we're gonna win 'em all!
I guess I've been burned too much with this team. All I hear is bla, bla bla until I actually see something positive on the field.
Yet I read the thread. Go figure.
-take care of football
-no negitive plays
-same page in pass pro
-sacks are a team problem (Qb reads)
-protect passer.
3 min in out of 20.
He must be hanging around Hoke a lot, I heard a lot of sentences begin with "Well...". I like him, looking forward to what he can do with these guys.
-expect big things from DG
-likes his work ethic
-simple so they can play fast.
-F. Canteen was a suprise.
-D. Funch is awsome
-D. Green has lost weight and looks good.
Devin won't even be taking reps with the first team by the 3rd week of fall practice. This is Shane's team for 3 more years.
Expect big things from Shane.
-new rule that allows coach/player contact has helped
-been going over film with guys and reviewing from spring game
-try to take good thing from all the HC he worked for.
-defended ALA QB about draft stock drop.
-focusing on UM not on opponents
-fall camp will be pactice 16 and not starting over at 1
-side steps talking smack about Oiho
-won't name starting QB
-likes what both guys bring to the table
-coach speak for how happy and awsome UM is.
-expectation for season is to get better every day.
-being a ex NFL QB he would like to pass down how much prep work/hard work goes in to being a NFL'er.
sorry for the grammer and spelling.
Especially because I am in a room by myself, processing crews and nervously waiting for the game at 4 PM, thanks for sharing this very good interview.
Hearing him speak confidently about what he believes is possible is pretty reassuring actually, but from the sound of what the players have said, the scheme is being installed in about as smooth a manner as can be managed.
I'm sure YOU had a busy night, morning, afternoon, evening...
I actually do appreciate this:
- Has taken something different from each coach he has worked under. The biggest thing with Saban is to tell players to focus more on individual responsibilities (Saban's infamous "do your job" mantra) than on W/L results.
Thank you. Maybe all coaches say this, but I think in football--and in life--winning is simply a byproduct of doing other things right. It's simply a culmination of good habits that are done on a consistent basis. Don't worry about what the other part of the team is doing (unless it's a read option or the play blows up or something). Overall though, that's the coache's job to get kids in line and straighten them out (or maybe if you're captain, a senior, leader of a position group or something). But overall, you need to focus on just what's on your own plate first. Be a reliable Johnny On The Spot, and then trust that the rest of your team will do the same. And if they aren't, then rely on the coaches to fix things.
- Nuss didn't say much about OL. He seems more focused on QBs, RBs, and WRs.
This is a little worrying to me. Hopefully it's not him whistling past the graveyard, but rather a strategic effort to either take some pressure off the O-Line kids (who might already be giving themselves enough pressure as it is), or (dare we hope) that the O-Line is actually on a good trajectory.
This is a little worrying to me. Hopefully it's not him whistling past the graveyard, but rather a strategic effort to either take some pressure off the O-Line kids (who might already be giving themselves enough pressure as it is), or (dare we hope) that the O-Line is actually on a good trajectory.
I don't think it's necessarily indicative of him "whistling past the graveyard." In addition to being OC, Nussmeier is also the QB coach, so it makes sense that when he looks at sacks he looks at the portion that his position group contributes to it.
With regards to RBs and WRs, those he could be focusing on from a schematic standpoint. "Getting playmakers in a position to succeed" and whatnot. True, like anyone, I was looking for Nussmeier to say something about the OL that can give me hope, but I don't think we're going to get anything of that sort until we witness actual change against App. State.
But yes, I hope it is the latter of your two scenarios as well.
He is the OC/QB coach. When asked about particular players, i.e., skill players, he went right to Freddie who has not only surprised him but everyone else whose gone on record as being way ahead of his years, and he should be coming from what is basically a football factory. Funchess was mentioned as well. When asked about the OL, he said, and this is what I heard, that they would keep things simple, make sure to explain the whys(why each step of the process is so important, much like when he mentioned Saban breaking it down to each player doing every little thing they've been coached to the best of their ability) and the rest, ability to play fast, meaning recognize and react far more quickly than last season is their goal and we already are aware as OC, he has the right and the responsibility to not correct his coach per se in front of players, but "Additionally guys, I'd just like to add to what Coach Funk was saying" on such and such a topic and give his two cents while making certain to build respect for Funk at the same time by adding things such as "Just as Coach Funk was telling you, reverting what he has just communicated to the player as a credit to their position coach. There are ways to make certain you implant all your knowledge from any position on the staff and most coaches, the good ones anyway will always add, "Coaches did I miss something"? after demonstrating a certain technique to the players, making certain that players learn as much as they can to the many years of experience from virtually every position on the field. To do otherwise is self-serving and leads to poor performance and poorer records..
Was that when he was asked why leave Bama and go to UM? He not only mentioned UM is a special place but that this was a great opportunity to build something special. Thats what I was hoping for.... Building something special, Godspeed coach get it done.. Go Blue!
Interesting stuff. I'd like to hear from Nussmeier exactly how involved he is with coaching the OL.
as the OL. Even though we had two NFL caliber tackles on the line last season the OL was just out of phase! May be the younger guys made mistakes but it looked like the two veterans were making mistakes as the season progressed.
I think the defense will be much improved and will help us win at least 8 games.