Who Makes Personnel Game Decisions

Submitted by Hail-Storm on

After reading the UFR, and remembering the hard bench that Smith saw after the fumble, I had a quick question about how Michigan handles personnel during a game.  

Running backs this year has been unique with 4 running backs getting a large number of snaps. Does anyone know who makes the call on who goes in? Is it Wheatley who is in charge of that meritrocity, and they all are expected to handle the same play sets? Is it somewhat playset dependant? Is it a combo of Jed Fisch and him, or Jed, Ty, and Drevno? Does Harbaugh bother with those decisions?

Thanks to anyone who has some feedback.  

mGrowOld

October 20th, 2016 at 4:06 PM ^

Can you PLEASE give O'Korn a few series tomorrow with the #1s?  I was led to believe he and Speight were neck and neck coming out of fall practice and there's nothing I've seen from Speight that makes me think he's the long term answer at QB.

Just a couple in the first quarter to see what he's got.  Mkaythanks.

mGrowOld

October 20th, 2016 at 4:28 PM ^

Are people who get upset when posters on an annoumous message board express opinions contrary to the head coach.  Of fucking course he knows more than me and has a ton of information I dont have and is doing what he thinks is best.   That does not mean, however, that fans cant want something else to happen instead.

So I'm guessing based on your comment you've never, EVER yelled at something a coach did during the game?  Cause get what?  The worst D1 football coach in America knows more than either of us do about their team.  Doesnt mean you always have to agree with it.

dipshit moron

October 20th, 2016 at 4:57 PM ^

you are talking out of your ass.you do know in the real world, you know when someone is right in front of you, if you make a comment or suggestion on something you have no experience or real expertise on. you will get shutdown or told to go get your shinebox.

  

Frank Chuck

October 20th, 2016 at 5:15 PM ^

So you admitted the following:

- Harbaugh is exceedingly competent.

- Harbaugh knows infinitely more than you.

- Harbaugh has access to first hand informatiom and has more info than you would know what to do with.

 

But you, who is neither knowledgeable nor informed, would like to see the back-up O'Korn simply to satisfy your curiosity.

I can't help but laugh.

It reminds me of when a Michigan economics professor wondered aloud about fools and asymmetry. It's a tremendous paradoxical, existential question of the human condition, "If a smart man knows he's smart by virtue of his intelligence, does a moron know he's a moron?"

Futhermore, there's no problem with having an opinion that runs contrary to the opinion of an authority figure. I find it refreshing and encourage it but conditionally. As Christopher Hitchens said, "That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.” So either provide an opinion backed by something substantial or stop your whining.

 

Finally, as ill-conceived as your opinion is, I get where you're coming from so I'll extend an olive branch. Sometimes the fans are right.

For instance:

Last year, I had a Buckeye friend tell me before the 2015 season opener that JT Barrett outperformed Cardale Jones in fall camp. It was clear in the eye test and even more so in OSU's in-house advanced metrics. But Meyer chose to start Jones because he had started the 3 games which culminated in a Big Ten Championship and a National Championship. By the start of the conference schedule, it was clear to most fans that Barrett should be the starter but Meyer didn't make a switch. By mid-season, it wasn't even a contest. Hence, Barrett eventually became the undisputed starter and Jones was rightfully relegated to the back-up role.

 

Good day.

Frank Chuck

October 20th, 2016 at 9:36 PM ^

*** Insert Jim Carey's "...so you're telling me there's a chance..." gif here. ***

There are some stark differences in OSU's Jones/Barrett situation and UM's Speight/O'Korn situation.

For starters, the Ohio State fans watched Cardale Jones and JT Barrett rotate during last season. They couldn't ignore the clear and tangible difference. Their opinion wasn't baded on wishful thinking and hearsay. What they saw on Saturdays was a reflection of what Meyer and his coaching staff saw in Fall Camp. Seeing is believing. But for reasons only he can explain, Meyer decided against the obvious to start the 2015 season.

Second, MGoBloggers were led to believe that O'Korn would be the starter for much of the summer but that was merely one person's perspective. Earlier this year, Steve Lorenz of 24/7 Sports essentially said that Speight was in the lead after Spring Ball (a fact confirmed by Nick Baumgardner). Lorenz even went as far as to say it would be a surprise if Speight didn't win the job. (Paraphrasing.)

I get that people want to see what O'Korn can do becuase they think his ceiling is higher. But Speight won the job and has done nothing lose it. And we haven't see anything from O'Korn in a Winged Helmet to indicate he should be the starter.

BigT

October 20th, 2016 at 5:07 PM ^

This drives me crazy as well. When I used to criticize Hoke and company on here in the early years people would say the same "the coaches know more than you do" line. That logic only works if they never make stupid decisions, which all coaches do. I love Saint Harbaugh and I know he is a great coach, but I also have eyes and think Speight has been shaky at times. I trust him, but to dismiss the pro-O'Korn crowd like that is dumb IMO.

Frank Chuck

October 20th, 2016 at 5:13 PM ^

First of all, it's a damn shame that there's a pro-Speight crowd and a pro-O'Korn crowd.

But moving on...

What evidence does the pro-O'Korn group have which supplants Harbaugh's decision (Speight > O'Korn)?

This should be good. Hang on, I'll go grab my popcorn.

grumbler

October 21st, 2016 at 3:24 PM ^

It might not be, as you imply, a binary Speight > O'Korn v O'Korn > Speight.  It could be more complex than that, as in "I would prefer to see O'Krn because he has a hgher upside in moving the ball reliably, and I accept that he will turn over the ball more if he plays."  That's not a challenge to harbaugh's judgement, which you seem to think any preference for O'Korn is, but simply a disagreement with Harbaugh on how much emphasis should be placed on rsik aversion vice reward-seeking.

Harbaugh can't be more "right" on that topic because there is no right or wrong.  Thus, you can't say "because Harbagh" as though that answered all questions.

HenneGivenSunday

October 20th, 2016 at 4:30 PM ^

Ugh.. this hurts me, because I like you as a poster, but this Speight criticism I see on here kinda drives me a little batty. They're 6 games in and 6-0. When he's been asked to make a play, he's made it. Has he been perfect? No. Who is? I'll reserve judgement and trust the guy making the call on the QB.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

PopeLando

October 20th, 2016 at 4:35 PM ^

I remember a lot of people saying similar things about Rex Grossman during the Super Bowl run. A perfect record does not mean the QB is good or even adequate (I think Speight is decent). It's ok to criticize a player who could be doing better. It's ok to question a coach's decision. It's not ok to try to shut people down based on the "undefeated" argument. What if Speight had 20 interceptions, but we were still 6-0? Ok to criticize him then?

Hail-Storm

October 20th, 2016 at 4:50 PM ^

Realistically, he is leading this offense to unheard of heights for Michigan, so I really have no room to complain. I was also overly harsh on Navarre back in the day. I'm in championship or bust mode right now though, and to feel better about beating OSU and Alabama to get there, I'd like to see more. I wouldn't mind seeing O'korn run a few series where he passes more than once or twice just to give a bigger sample size in games to see his throws, decision making and mobillity both in pocket and out of it. It's not rational, but being a fan hardly ever is. 

reshp1

October 20th, 2016 at 4:05 PM ^

Usually it's the position coach, Wheatley in this case, during the game. I'm sure there's discussions from the coordinator and HC on which guy is supposed to go in for what package in practice though.

Hail-Storm

October 20th, 2016 at 4:28 PM ^

It seems like it would be the position coach, who would know who was best for a certain situation/ play (i.e. Smith as the third and long back) and decide who to put in on plays where he has options. 

I'd guess that Mattison is making the same decisions for his D-Line based on the playcall and how many plays he wants before switching in his fresh legs. 

Mike420GoBlue

October 20th, 2016 at 7:36 PM ^

Harb's said recently he wants the backs to share the carries, it may be too much for one back if he wants a long term football career. I guarantee he and Wheatley had a conversation about getting 3 or 4 of our backs involved, plus getting more opportunities for our RBs- for their own NFL future. This Coach is The Coach that gets it from a player perspective. ITS HAPPENING!!!

1201SouthMain

October 20th, 2016 at 7:59 PM ^

or whatever the show is called now days.  Brandy asked something along those lines, "with the constant rotation at RB, who makes the decision that Evans will be in on that play?".  I can't remember Harbaugh's exact answer but he indicated that it was Wheat that handles the RB rotation.

From my observations of the sideline, Harbaugh is not involved at all.  Looks like Wheat is making that call every time.  It is very possible that certain RB's are preferred for certain packages and when Wheat hears the play call he goes to the RB that is preferred for that play.  But Harbaugh did say in response to that queston that Wheat decides which guy is ready for that play.