strength and condiditioning
ben herbert

Ben Herbert Is The New S&C Guy Comment Count

Brian

image

"is this a strength coach" visual test: check

Former Wisconsin and Arkansas S&C coach Ben Herbert's name has been floating around as a possible replacement for Kevin Tolbert, for fairly obvious manball related reasons, and now that hire is official:

Michigan has identified a candidate for its strength and conditioning opening.

First referenced by The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb on our premium message boards last week, the Wolverines intend to hire former Arkansas S&C coach Ben Hebert to take over the S&C opening left behind by Kevin Tolbert.

Herbert was at Wisconsin for S&C coach for 11 years, the last four of which as the head S&C guy, before leaving with Bret Bielema to go to Arkansas four years ago. That didn't work out quite as well as Herbert might have hoped, but Arkansas did have some consistently enormous offensive lines, just like Wisconsin did before him. Herbert's time at UW is probably more instructive since the Badgers aren't operating at a severe talent deficit to most of their opponents, and picking someone up from the program that makes the most out of the least recruiting in the Big Ten, and possibly the nation, seems like a good plan.

Post-Barwis I'm skeptical that there's a big difference between any reasonably up-to-date strength coaches, FWIW. I didn't think Michigan's team seemed like it had any major S&C issues—the defense was dominant and the offensive line started mashing guys about midway through the season. Harbaugh's post-OSU comment that Michigan needed to get stronger didn't really mesh with what I saw, which was a team that went toe to toe with the Buckeyes and would have won with a C- QB performance. If anything might have been an issue under Tolbert it's conditioning, not raw gert-orf-me strength.

But unleash the comments, all the same.

Comments

The Fan in Fargo

December 30th, 2017 at 5:34 PM ^

Wasn't anything wrong with the S&C coaching you say? Ummm, maybe not with the actualy program but obviously there were motivational issues. Tolbert was in no way getting the players to get the most from theirselves. Maybe you guys don't grasp that when you see your offensive lineman with flabby arms, soemthing is lacking. These young guys want to go pro in the NFL and get awesome contracts? You got to be fucking kidding me. It doesn't take a lot to rip yourself up and look like an NFL guy. Especially when you are young like that. Witnessed way too many d-lineman and o-lineman on this team the past however many years that don't look intimidating at all. Sure as hell aren't kicking anyones asses on the field either all throughout their schedule. Technique is great but power rules boys and girls. Hopefully this guy can take this team over the top. He looks the part.

Joined: 09/04/2016

MGoPoints: 1877

SlickNick

December 30th, 2017 at 5:46 PM ^

Everything I've seen on this guy it sounds like he masters in building up O lineman....which I'm all for, but has anyone heard anything about him specializing in defensive players, or skilled position guys? All for building up the strength of these Wisconsin/Arkansas teams....but hope to have better speed and explosion than those teams.

Joined: 09/28/2015

MGoPoints: 6037

Honk if Ufer M…

December 30th, 2017 at 6:03 PM ^

From what I heard from a player all of this speculation is wrong and Tolbert wasn't at fault for anything, and in fact the whole thing is really bizarre at best if what I heard is true. I can't say what I heard, but I don't like seeing what seems like very wrong and defamatory speculation about Tolbert.

Joined: 02/22/2015

MGoPoints: 591

GoBlueSouth

December 30th, 2017 at 7:05 PM ^

Michigan's OL is pretty damn big. The problem is not the size. Its' the scheme and foot speed. Either you man block or you are a zone blocking scheme period. Next, the first step means everything for pass blocking and Michigan's OL instead of moving their feet and punching are either beaten off of the ball with the first step or allow the pocket to collapse too quickly. Not having a mobile QB in today's game is the BIGGEST problem. Speight looked like a giant 250 plant standing there. O'Korn took off before a pocket could even develop and Peter's is not the most gifted runner either. Ask yourself this question. Which team out of the final four Monday night does not have a running threat as a QB?? NONE!!! That's why the Buckeyes always beat us because their damn QB is a major run threat like JT Barrett has been for the past 12 seasons he has played in Columbus. Patterson will make a HUGE difference for Michigan in this area. Harbaugh played the position long ago and the QB position has changed drastically from 1985 and the 90's. The game speed has changed so much since then (especially on the DL) Harbaugh knows this and knows that QB position is what is truly holding him back from pputting Michigan on top. If he was setlled on Peter's then why go after the 5 star Patterson? Because Patterson is very very good and has PROVEN himself against the SEC speed and athleticism. No matter what the media tries to make of it- If Patterson is eligible next year then the competetion won't even be close between him and Peter's. Patterson played high school ball in Texas and Florida. Patterson played in Indiana. Not even close 

Joined: 12/27/2017

MGoPoints: 20

Everyone Murders

December 30th, 2017 at 8:07 PM ^

Honestly, I'm kinda with Brian on this.  If an S&C coach is up-to-date and understands that different positions need different programs, then my next question is what do the HC and coordinators think of him.  If they're OK with him, I'm OK.

If I were in the HC position, I'd be asking (i) is this person up-to-date and (ii) will his/her schtick get old after awhile.  If the answer is "yes and no", and the HC and coordinators are fine, then I'm fine.  You need all of (a) a person who knows their shit, (b) works hard, and (c) can motivate the players. 

I mean, this is the sort of thing that's really hard to judge from the outside, so I'm OK with it if  those in the know are.

Joined: 12/14/2010

MGoPoints: 65552

Coldwater

December 30th, 2017 at 8:30 PM ^

Harbaugh probably didn’t know this guy personally at all. I’m not sure what the connection is. Did this guy come to Ann Arbor for a tour and official job interview? How many other strength coaches were personally interviewed by Jim Harbaugh? Ben certainly looks like a current strength coach. He definitely passes the eye test. Shaved head, bulky, he just needs a nice goatee for the trifecta

Joined: 12/14/2008

MGoPoints: 11234

Bertello NC

December 31st, 2017 at 2:13 PM ^

Imo this position might be top 2-3 of importance on the entire staff. Just due to the fact that you’re working with young players and their bodies are in such need of development. Much different than in the NFL. While it doesn’t seem like Tolbert did a bad job as a lot of guys shedded bad weight and changed their bodies for the better, I wonder if age had something to do with it. Herbert is much younger and seems like he’d be a better motivator of young players. It’ll be interesting to see if guys like Kareem Walker and some of the DB’s like JKP, Ambry Thomas, among others including the young WR’s will add some strength and size while not losing speed and explosiveness. While getting bigger and stronger is very important, not losing speed, quickness, and quick twitch ability is equally important especially along the OL as defensive linemen are only getting quicker. Hopefully Herbert has some industry secrets and cutting edge stuff he can apply at UM.

Joined: 09/13/2011

MGoPoints: 958