Michigan Football Tidbits: Michigan vs. Ohio State — The Offensive Coaches

Michigan Football Tidbits: Michigan vs. Ohio State — The Offensive Coaches

CoachBt has spent time with both staffs in the past and this spring. Not going to grade or give advantage to one school over the other, but will give an overview of impressions of how they work and what players have told me about coaches.

Let me start by saying that I have tremendous respect for any one who is a coach. The amount of commitment and work these coaches put into this job is crazy and they sacrifice a lot to be coaches.

Offense:

Running Backs:

Fred Jackson (Michigan):
One of the things I look for is do they get running backs / prima donnas to play without the ball. Do they block, carry out fakes, etc. Coach Jackson gets players like Mike Hart and Chris Perry to block. Players I have talked to speak very highly of Coach Jackson. Very active and vocal on practice field.

Dick Tressell (Ohio State):
Very similar to Coach Jackson, gets players to play without ball. If you do not block you will not play for Dick Tressell. He is very active, but not as vocal as Coach Jackson is. He recruits Northwest Ohio quite a bit and players and parents I have talked to speak highly of him.

Offensive Line:

Coach Frey (Michigan):

It’s no secret that I am impressed with Coach Frey. In my opinion, the improvement of this group was tops on the team last year for any position group. He is not a yeller or screamer, more of solid, workman-like attitude–very similar to how offensive linemen need to play. No peaks or valleys. He gets as much work accomplished in practice as any coach on staff. He does get upset if players lose focus. He undressed an EX PT team player for not getting on field in time.

Coach Bollman (Ohio State):
He is Ohio State fan’s favorite whipping boy. Catches flack for Ohio State’s line play. It’s mostly unfair in my opinion. Ohio State’s line play has improved since Coach Peterson has joined Bollman to coach the group. It was too much for one coach to handle offensive center and full offensive line–and it hurt Ohio State. Also thought it hurt that Ohio State was a bit slow to convert to quicker, more agile linemen. Can tell you “Block O” does not happen without Coach Bollman. Opposing coaches use Coach Bollman possibly retiring to recruit negatively against OSU.

Wide Receivers:

Coach Dews (Michigan):
Was concerned after last season when split ends did not play well. As with the running backs, getting the split ends to play without ball is not easy. But it is a must in the spread offense. Was very impressed this spring with how hard Coach Dews worked on blocking and how he did not hesitate to sit those who did block.

Coach Hazell (Ohio State):
Every spring you hear rumors of Coach Hazell leaving Ohio State to be an offensive coordinator somewhere else. With good reason, too. He is ready to be an offensive coordinator in my opinion. He was the most impressive speaker I listened to at the OHSCAA clinic this spring. The improvement Ohio State’s wide receivers showed this spring was impressive.

Quarterback:

Coach Smith (Michigan):
Coach Smith is a solid coach and knows this system as well as anyone. He is very active at practices and his quarterbacks work their tails off. What impressed me the most was Michigan’s quarterbacks last year, even with less than perfect skills, showed improvement and heart.

Coach Daniels (Ohio State):
Ohio State quarterbacks are some of the best ball handlers in the country in my opinion. Their fakes off play action are stellar. The reason is Coach Daniels demands it. Ohio State quarterbacks improve every year, which is what impresses me.

Tight Ends:

Coach Magee (Michigan):
Does not have true a position to coach. He’s more of a freelance guy who leaves slot receivers and tight ends to the graduate assistant. Very active and involved during group sessions. Helps with all skilled positions

Coach Peterson (Ohio State):
He’s also OSU’s recruiting coordinator and works very closely with Coach Bollman and the offensive line. Adding him to offensive line has helped quite a bit in my opinion. Real nice guy; every player I have talked to loves him.

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Offensive Coordinators:

Coach Magee (Michigan) and Coach Bollman (Ohio State):

Are offensive Coordinators in name only. Head coaches call the plays for both teams, and have the the final say in the play going into the game.

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Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine