Mike Hart Appreciation Thread

Mike Hart is exactly what this coaching staff needed. He cares about Michigan - deeply. he knows how much the rivalries mean. He also is a master at his craft who achieved far more as a running back than he should have physically because of his dedication, intelligence, and understanding of the game.  He has channeled this into his coaching. We are so fortunate to have him.  

I appreciate your appreciation of Bike Hart

I've posted it before, but it bears repeating. Hart's twitter tagline prior to taking the Eastern job included; paraphrasing 'future U of M Head Coach'. I don't believe everything we see is due to Hart but I wouldn't argue that he is a key component.  

My hope is that the offense continues to get better and better possibly landing G5 head coaching gig for Gattis and Mike becomes the OC and head-coach in waiting sort of like Brent Venables might be for Clemson. A long time assistant loyal to the program. Or should I say, like Lloyd? Probably a long shot, but hope all that comes about. 

Mike Hart is a hero in my house,  He is a great addition to the staff, no doubt.  That said, I suspect that the team improvement is a combination of all these variables:  better coaching overall, better attitude among the players, chemistry, Jim’s lower BMI, a little luck (joint possession of fumble), etc.  

I’ve noticed a few things that I’m sure Mike Hart has initiated.  Yesterday on more than a few passing plays the RBs stepped up and blocked (delayed) the rush of a Defensive Line player.   That allowed the Pass play to continue.  At least twice the announcers replayed those blocks and pointed them out.   Coram blocked one D End well and it reminded me of RB Mike Hart back in the day.  Hart seems to have gone back to basics on being a complete RB, run, block and catch and we see the results of that approach on his RBs.

I would have no issue if he became our head coach at some point, but Michigan would want him to have head coaching experience I would think, he would have to leave to get that so not sure it would work out.

There has been an ENORMOUS improvement in the running game. It is fantastic. This is by far the best the running game has looked since Jim Harbaugh has been head coach. Haskins was the man of steel last night. And that TD run by Corum, in the circumstances of the game when he got it, could make your blood run cold! Eat that cob of corn!

Let's appreciate this guy for his part in developing our backs. Hopefully we can keep him for a bit. Hopefully a bigger role/job doesnt come knocking too soon. 

I’m sure Hart’s doing a good job and has helped the players he coaches, but a running backs coach doesn’t change a team’s fortunes. Haskins and Corum both performed well last season.

Hart maybe the reason why or there could be other factors - but it may be that he wasn't gifted with breakaway speed that makes him a great coach - the best coaches are rarely the greatest players - Hart style made the most of what he had, so he might have insights into what made him an effective college player - something that is teachable. Sometimes the very great players don't know how to explain their own technical greatness, they just "do it", so it can be frustrating for them to try to coach because their body obeys them so easily.

Curious to see if Brady will go into QB coaching. He probably is full of insight into how to be a good thrower and good QB since it appears he had to really develop it consciously. If he does and succeeds he'll be among the rare great players who became great coaches.

Harbaugh was ~~50 when he took the UM job. His first HC job at San Diego was in 2004 when he was 41. Stanford was in 2007 at 44.

So Hart is on track at age 35 years. If he is intend on moving up the coaching ladder, the next few years should see him work with other offensive positions or aim to be the OC. 

Do people cross over? That is take over another position like on defense when they've spent most if not all of their career on offense? Probably hard to do in college and pros at this level. At a lower level, maybe. 

If he aims to be the UM HC one day, he could move up internally - Lloyd Carr was DB coach 1980-1986, the DC 1987-1990 - Assistant HC 1990-1994 before taking over in 1995. A 15 year rise. 

Or he can go outside and then come back. 

Probably need to develop an appreciation for defense and how things are organized. Being the HC is running the overall show and one can be a genius at one aspect but be terrible overall (as we know).

Moody was the mvp against Nebraska 

I am expecting a tough running game against MSU and OSU. Hart is going to be extra motivated for these two games. Great addition to the staff. I so would love for him to be interviewed after our win at MSU. Some idiot will ask the little brother question. Seriously though, talk about chip on his shoulder. Mike Hart is going to be fired up for the last game of the season. I so would love for our RBs to run over those f**kers in Columbus. Great job so far.

I love that Mike Hart is back, if we win this year every Sparty I know will hear from me about how Hart has still never lost to MSU.

That said I think credit should go to the right side of the O-line and maybe the scheme.  The rbs are much better but they have missed some holes this year.

I took a look at the team season stats today. The thing that stood out to me was that Corum and Haskins have combined for 198 carries that have gained 1107 yards and have lost only 5 yards. Corum has 1 negative yard through 6 games. The backs get the ball and attack the line of scrimmage. 
One thing that has been eschewed from the playbook are those slow developing outside zone runs that go east-west, allowing the defense to run blitz and create negative plays. There have been many complaints about the “run up the middle” mentality, but I would much rather face 2nd and 8 than 2nd and 13. Those negative plays kill drives. Corum and Haskins have -5 yards total of negative plays. That’s incredible. Is that Hart, Harbaugh, Moore or Gattis? Is it Corum and Haskins? Or the offensive line? I think it’s D) all of the above.

The only un-qualified coach I would take a chance on as head coach is Sherrone Moore.