Quick Turnaround for the Football Team?
Keeping in mind that I tend to skew optimistic when it comes to all of my favorite sports teams, I believe the Michigan Football team can be quickly turned around, assuming an effective coaching staff can be secured.
Looking first at the offense...
The team will return nine or ten (depending on what Funchess does) of its offensive starters. A quick review of the current depth chart also reveals that there is only one senior back-up (Joey B). So, we are returning 19 or 20 of the 22 players on the two-deep. Plus we get Ty Isaac on the field.
Has this team underperformed offensively? Yes. But, has there been improvement in certain areas (i.e., the line and the rushing game)? Yes. The reality is that next year's two-deep is going to be stocked with juniors and seniors who were 4* and 5* players coming out of high school. It is difficult to believe that these players, who were highly coveted by other top programs, are all busts.
With the right coaching and scheme, the offense should be able to put points on the board. QB is a major question mark, of course...
Turning to the defensive side of the line, the story is similar.
The team loses three starters...Beyer, Ryan and Taylor. Plus Hollowell off of the two-deep. So, including a fifth DB as part of the depth chart, the team loses four of 24 players on the entire two-deep. And we get Peppers and Morgan back from injury.
In summary, the team loses the following starters, with the replacements indicated...
Gardner (?), Beyer (Poggi or Charlton), Ryan (Morgan or Ross or McCray) and Taylor (Peppers or Stribling or Countess).
Other than Gardner, there are easily identifiable replacements for each of the four.
The entire 46-player two-deep will be packed with 4* and 5* players going in to their 3rd, 4th and 5th years. It is true that stars don't always translate in to success. But it just seems impossible that this staff missed the mark on so many players. With the dozens of highly ranked players who will be on the roster next year, there has to be 35 of them who can excel on gameday. There is talent there. It has to be an issue of coaching.
Plus, there will not have to be the type of roster rebuild that was necessary in 2011 and 2012.
With the right coaching, schemes, and motivation,I believe this can be a very successful (10-2 or so) team in the first year of the new regime.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:33 AM ^
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November 24th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^
I couldn't agree more with all the things you just mentioned. He will hold all accountable, something I feel has been lacking.
November 24th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
There seems to be none when when someone makes a mistake and repeats it. I also feel there is a lack of leadership from the head coaching position that a new coach would fix. It's ok to yell and tell kids "This is my ship" and jump on them when they make a mistake. It's what you do when they fix their mistake that matters.
November 24th, 2014 at 10:19 AM ^
The factor that will be difficult to predict is how his abrasive personality will affect the players on the team. As Brian and Ace have pointed out, the "country club" atmosphere around here could lead to quite a culture shock if someone with Harbaugh's personality were to come in. That's why it's important for all the former players who rallied around Hoke to do the same, and I think they would, for Harbaugh. Otherwise we could see more attrition like we did with Rodriguez (since it is clear that unanimous support was not there for Rodriguez). The good news is that this team has been built with so much depth that similar attrition levels shouldn't have nearly the same impact as they did in 2008, since 2015 should not be anything resembling a rebuilding year to begin with the way it was in 2008.
November 24th, 2014 at 10:23 AM ^
The attrition was more due to schematic changes than anything else, not necessarily "unanimous support"
November 24th, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^
Okay then why was there virtually no attrition when Hoke came in? Did he not bring a schematic change?
November 24th, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^
They still ran spread stuff; wouldn't call them solely a spread team though...and those who left sort of trickled out. Dj Williamson, Isaiah Bell, Je'Ron Stokes, Ray Vinopal iirc, Jerald Robinson, Carvin Johnson, Cullen Christian, Josh Furman, Chris Rock, Kellen Jones, Greg Brown, etc.
November 24th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^
November 24th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^
November 24th, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
the fact remains he had zero intention of adapting to the players and he certainly didn't use them effectively in his offense.
RR could never succeed at Michigan, not in the context he arrived and certainly not when he was determined to blow up 40 years of history by tearing down and then rebuilding the offense in his image. Had he come in with Michigan already scraping the bottom of the barrel he would have stood a much better chance of succeeding because there would be ever so much less institutional inertia.
Hoke enjoyed early success for two reasons. 1. He was smart enough to convince the players they could win and do it largely by building on the previous season. 2. The team was so hungry for success that they pushed themselves to play to their greatest potential. Where Hoke failed is that he failed to keep pushing the drive and high standards of discipline achieved by team 132 through teams 133, 134, and 135.
November 24th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
November 24th, 2014 at 1:26 PM ^
In 2011, no one was offering to sign transfer papers.
November 24th, 2014 at 3:03 PM ^
In 2011 there was no one to sign those papers, other than Hoke himself. RR had been fired.
November 24th, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^
Sort of like when Bo took over for Elliot
November 24th, 2014 at 10:41 AM ^
Hence why I called it unpredictable.
November 24th, 2014 at 1:13 PM ^
November 24th, 2014 at 1:36 PM ^
November 24th, 2014 at 1:52 PM ^
November 24th, 2014 at 3:15 PM ^
Many quit the team.
But those that stayed were champions, that very same year.
November 24th, 2014 at 10:26 AM ^
will need to bring a worthy QB with them if they want to produce a quick turn around.
November 24th, 2014 at 11:54 AM ^
The big missing piece for next year is at QB. I am waiting for Brian to come up with a post that digs up some possible grad transfers from around the country. Malzone will be fine in 2016, but we need someone for next year if we are to take advantage of the returning talent mentioned by the OP. Fortunately Harbaugh is a masterful QB coach so whomever we get will have a great mentor.
November 24th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
The new staff should definitely look into grad transfers. I think it's a mistake to assume that Malzone will be fine. It's extremely common for recruits to fail to pan out, especially at QB. Morris (as bad as he's been so far) or Speight could easily turn out to be better than Malzone.
November 24th, 2014 at 2:02 PM ^
November 24th, 2014 at 2:52 PM ^
Braxton Miller, come on up!
November 24th, 2014 at 9:34 AM ^
If the new staff can develop a QB, and very quickly, then yes. I know the receiving corps has appeared to lack playmakers, but I'd like to see them with a QB who can consistently stand in the pocket and deliver the ball. It all hinges on that because the rest of the team will be solid at worst. If they have to go through growing pains with the new QB next year, it will be a struggle (albeit nothing like the present), if not, then maybe look out...
November 24th, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^
Braxton Miller graduate transfer? Wait, you said someone who can stand in the pocket and throw. I really hope one of our QBs can step up but they will need to overcome their 2nd (or 3rd for Morris) OC and system in as many years. That seems like a tall order.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:35 AM ^
but after the last 7 years I won't be holding my breath.
Unless we somehow nab Harbaugh. Then I won't be breathing until next August.
November 24th, 2014 at 10:29 AM ^
Pass the tequila, please.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:35 AM ^
With the right hire, I think it's a quick turnaround. Hoke may prove to be our Zook.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:42 AM ^
I assume you mean Florida Zook and not Illinois Zook. Though it took him more than a year, Bob Stoops also greatly benefitted from a stocked team when he took over
November 24th, 2014 at 10:12 AM ^
Make fun of him all you want, but the Zooker beat OSU and went to the Rose Bowl at Illinois.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:35 AM ^
I mean, we can't be worse, so.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:42 AM ^
In fact, if Hoke returns I wouldn't be surprised if they were.
November 24th, 2014 at 10:27 AM ^
Well...we do have 5 wins.
Please, don't tempt the gods.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^
As we've seen this year, so much depends on QB play and I haven't seen anything out of Shane yet to think that he's capable of leading the team to a quick turn around. Of course he's also been getting the same coaching that's caused Gardner to regress so maybe a new coach would provide what he needs to be a decent-to-good starter next year.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^
We've also watched Devin digress over the last few years. I'm hoping Shane's performance is a product of obvious coaching deficiencies and that a competent offensive coach can get him turned around.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:52 AM ^
DG has had more offensive coordinators than I have had tailgate locations over the last five years.
Of course, Shane also gets a new OC, likely, next year...
November 24th, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^
November 24th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^
I think it has been proven that RGIII is not the best they have. The high cost of the RGIII mistake forces them to keep playing him...up to now. Gruden seems about done, and seems to be allowed to go his own way moving forward.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:53 AM ^
I agree. The QB and WR's are just off, for a lack of a better word. I think improvement in that area (passing game) would improve the offense as a whole and very fast. Regarding Morris, I couldn't really guess either. We seen one game against KSU that he looked decent, but with a very simple game plan and another against Minnesota where he got almost killed. The jury is still out, but he needs more games I think.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:43 AM ^
I gotta go with da Bears bus on this one, Bob.
It will all depend on who is hired and when he arrives. Yes, the team can be pretty good, but any optimism should be tempered by recent performance. And this is assuming nobody transfers...
November 24th, 2014 at 9:44 AM ^
You're forgetting Frank Clark in your assessment.
But yes, I agree, with a hire like Harbaugh, next year could be a good year. With Hoke, it will be 7-5.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^
I hate to say it, but I think 7-5 next year is optimistic if Hoke's still in place. I really want to believe once and for all that after this past Saturday that has zero chance of happening, but I'll take nothing for granted from this program...
November 24th, 2014 at 9:50 AM ^
November 24th, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^
He still played 83% of games and was arguably the best player on defense. I think he needs to be brought into the equation.
November 24th, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
FC being dismissed from the program does not mean the position need was dismissed with him. For whatever reason he left, his absence going into next season is a huge hole, figuratively and literally, that needs to be filled.
November 24th, 2014 at 9:45 AM ^
yes, an immediate turnaround could happen, you see this happen all the time (Auburn comes to mind). However, it is more likely the new coach would need 2-3 seasons to really make an impact.
November 24th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
Also my thoughts. Even with Jim I think its 24 months to turn it fully around. Unless Shane Morris turns into someone who he has not been for 3 years (incl as a HS sr). The prospect of taking Wilton Speight for game 1 of his life into Utah to begin the year does not bode well for me. Game 4 v BYU and their uber dual threat QB has trouble writtern all over it.
This team does have talent but I dont see a lot of NFL type talent after this year's graduations. The open question is how much is being obfusicated by the coaches. I dont think on the defense its too much - I just think these are the players that they are. And Jim is not a defensive coach - he has had an excellent D coordinator his last year at Stanford and in the NFL, he needs a great DC to come with him or be hired immediately.
Open questions for 2015:
- Who will be the QB? Can we get a poor man's JT Barrett performance from that guy (what Barrett has done has been remarkable - so not asking for that but 70% of that would be nice)
- Who is your WR who can stretch the field? It doesnt seem to be any of current guys - can Drake Harris' hamstrings do it? We don't have a game breaking WR in 2015 as best as I can tell.
- How much improvement can Green provide? Smith doesnt look like the answer - Green with improved vision and more ability to create YAC might be. Or might not be.
- Can Isaac challenge for spot 1A or 1B of RBs? I am not getting on the hype train until the guy does something in meaningful games vs good opponents - I expect by Aug 15 the Ty Isaac hype train to be off the charts.
- Can the OL be what a typical experienced OL is? There will be no excuses about experience going into 2015.
- Who will provide a pass rush? Clark was easily our best end and he and Beyer are gone. Replaced by guys who are way more up and down. You need a Charlton and Poggi type to step up.
- LBs should be ok.
- Second safety is still an issue - no one has stepped up.
- Lose our punter who probably has been our best players in 2014.
The big 10 is weak and the QB makes a huge difference. If we cannot get decent QB play and Speight wins the job and has the traditional 1st year ups and downs its going to be a tough year still IMO. Will be more enthused by 2016 even though the 2015 schedule is easier.
November 24th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
The biggest questions are HC and QB no question; however, JT Barrett has not been the first young guy to make a difference in a hurry. We're not at a level where footall freshmen can have the same imact as basketball freshmen but there have been a number of two-year guys who have performed well in recent years so it is far from unprecedented at this point.
If we get Harbaugh I do think we'll be fine if not super fantastic at QB and if those two things happen I think next year could be pretty good. As somebody else said 85%+ of the two deep is back next year barring more attirition than usual. I have to believe there is talent on this team we just have to get the right leaders to bring this to the fore.