January 28th, 2011 at 9:13 AM ^
he got me fired up and I'm 6 foot 155 lbs. I am pumped about the direction our football program is going!
January 28th, 2011 at 9:16 AM ^
He identified that as a need. I would doubt that is an issue with this team, unless its the usual "small light non-B10 team" BS.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:21 AM ^
I'm not sure its ever a bad thing to "get stronger".
January 28th, 2011 at 9:29 AM ^
If that was the case and we don't need to get stronger, or you are implying that the Barwis plan was better. Then explain to me how we were dominated at the LOS against the better competition. I'm not saying that this team was not stronger, by any means, however, as he pointed out there are different levels of strength. You have the mental and the physical. I think mostly what this team has lacked has been the toughness and I am hoping Wellman brings this aspect to the team and it translates into a tough gritty football team this fall.
January 28th, 2011 at 11:28 AM ^
I'm virtua-slapping the next asshole who repeats the lazy-ass "we lack toughness/not real B1G team" meme.
January 28th, 2011 at 12:02 PM ^
Yea, Mike Martin and Taylor Lewan got absolutely dominated.
January 28th, 2011 at 5:45 PM ^
That's two guys, one on each side of the ball. Overall, we do need to get stronger. We were manhandled at the line of scrimmage in our losses.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^
"we need to get stronger." Kids always need to get stronger. Or are you suggesting that every kid on UM maxed out his strength last year? The young kids obviously need and can get stronger. I wouldn't read too much into that comment
January 28th, 2011 at 9:54 AM ^
No strength coach is ever going to say, "well, our guys are strong enough, so I guess we don't need that." Teams always need to get stronger, and always can get stronger.
January 28th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
that Barwisizing takes time.
Look at our 2 deep on D last year. Truth is we WERE undersized, though not because of the 'small light non-B10 team' BS you cite. I think it was more due to starting so many underclassmen who had yet to go through the combo of Barwis and growing up from 17 to 21 yrs old.
January 28th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^
Umm, that's not BS.
Wisconsin game. Fourth quarter. Watch it.
January 28th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
Not to mention pretty much every 3rd and short last season, on both sides of the ball. When we did manage to convert on offense, it usually took a fantastic individual effort out of Denard. I'd prefer not to have to use him as a battering ram.
January 29th, 2011 at 8:57 AM ^
1- them being much bigger, and 2- being much better at football.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:17 AM ^
Dude is definitely intense and has a spot-on ass slap. Also, my god he can talk.
January 28th, 2011 at 10:00 AM ^
That ass slap was clean, crisp, and powerful. What more could you ask for in a S&C coach?
January 28th, 2011 at 9:28 AM ^
Everyone knows that you don't want to be the guy that follows the legend (i.e. Barwis)
January 28th, 2011 at 9:30 AM ^
I was a huge fan of Barwis and still am, but I really do like this guy. He's young and could be here for a long time. It's good to see the team working out.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^
Loved Barwis.
Already like Wellman a lot.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:30 AM ^
Furman lookin' jacked.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:48 AM ^
Furman looks like an animal. I really hope he gets some playing time this fall.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:31 AM ^
Is the entire staff taught to use phrases like "touch kids?"
January 28th, 2011 at 9:58 AM ^
Yeah can we please send out a memo on this? I haven't heard this much about touching kids since...(insert obvious Catholic joke)
January 28th, 2011 at 12:05 PM ^
I wish I knew how to upvote this, but I can't figure it out in the new post malware universe.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:44 AM ^
HE HAS NO INSIDE VOICE!!!
January 28th, 2011 at 9:49 AM ^
'Shit, these guys are already jacked?"
Of course he has to say they need to get stronger, that's why he has a job.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:50 AM ^
January 28th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^
No brown pee...all is well.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:58 AM ^
I love the emphasis on mental toughness. We've talked a lot about 4th quarter strength with Barwis-- add in 4th quarter focus to that strength and we're moving forward. I think this guy will build on what Barwis started.
January 28th, 2011 at 9:58 AM ^
January 28th, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^
One thing I have noticed from the staff interviews is that they all seem to speak with one voice. They seem to be on the same page and if you talk to one of them then you pretty much get an idea of what direction this team is headed. I can't wait to see the results on the field next year. For the first time since many of these kids have been here there are no outside distractions surrounding this football team.
January 28th, 2011 at 11:53 AM ^
The voice they share likes to speak of touching kids
January 28th, 2011 at 10:46 AM ^
I don't know a lot about what was so great about Barwis. I've heard people talk about him like he is the best of the best. I'm not disputing it (Mike Martin is clearly a beast) but am just wondering if anyone can explain to me what it was about Barwis that made everyone love him.
Wellman seems to be the real deal though. Tough. I'm glad I don't have to do that stuff. Yowza!
January 28th, 2011 at 10:59 AM ^
Brock Mealer?
January 28th, 2011 at 11:25 AM ^
or looked him up on Wikipedia? These are easy things to do that explain quite a bit.
Barwis made a career out of training Olympic athletes (medalists, mind you) before becoming involved with universities, where he trained athletes in like 12 sports.
January 28th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
I like his emphasis that S&C goes beyond just getting stronger. He wants those kids to get a work out on their mental toughness and focus as well, which working out can certainly do.
January 28th, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^
Is Barwis still on campus? Whereabouts?
January 28th, 2011 at 11:57 AM ^
He took the vacant S&C job at San Diego State.
January 29th, 2011 at 12:24 AM ^
Barwis is still in town (but not at U of M) and has a few options on the table that he is considering. Something will be announced in the next few weeks I would think.
February 3rd, 2011 at 11:20 PM ^
Yeah, my mistake. Someone posted on here that he took the SDSU job, and I didn't do any due diligence on it.
January 28th, 2011 at 11:17 AM ^
I really like Wellman's mindset. Seems to have the right attitude that will get the most out of the players during every workout.
January 28th, 2011 at 11:17 AM ^
At some point someone is going to put together a "touching kids" montage...
January 28th, 2011 at 6:01 PM ^
They can begin with his ass slap :D
January 28th, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^
I sure hope the movements shown in that video were meant to throw off the competition.
January 28th, 2011 at 11:25 AM ^
Will Aaron let them use Muscle Milk??
January 28th, 2011 at 1:14 PM ^
if they suck it through a coffee straw
January 28th, 2011 at 11:57 AM ^
January 28th, 2011 at 12:09 PM ^
So now they touch kids and drill it into everyone? Damn, they were serious about taking this program in a new direction.
January 28th, 2011 at 5:27 PM ^
eeewwww...but you just said what I was thinking when I heard that comment. At least he didn't say they would "touch them in a special way."
January 28th, 2011 at 12:10 PM ^
When asked whether the kids will like the program, he suggested that some won't (if they aren't tough enough). Does that mean I should expect the discontent and attrition that often comes with new program?
January 28th, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^
Barwis came. I would expect the same to happen again. I'm sure Hoke wants to honor scholarships for the sake of the Michigan image, but I'm also sure he and Wellman both know his S&C program is going to weed out those who are not the type of players they want to coach.