Posted at 6:00am — 1/16/2011
GBMWolverine: Mailbag question — Michigan Football — S&C Question on Style and Strengths
Hi guys, this might be a stupid question, don’t answer it if you do not want to. Apparently, Barwis will be replaced by Hoke’s own strength guy, Aaron Wellman, who is supposed to be very good.
Do you know if good strength guys are all pretty much the same? I imagine they each have different philosophies and approaches. Are you aware of the differences, if any, between the two? Will there be any impact to the fact that Barwis pretty much set up the new weight room facilities?
Go Blue
Qresti
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GBMWolverine Response:
Honestly any questions about the new staff are certainly not stupid questions and are most welcomed since all of us want to be informed about what the future may hold. Almost certainly many have been thinking along the very same line since it became clear a few days ago a change would be made. So thanks for asking the question because the readers’ views and input is what helps drive this site.
Strength and Conditioning is not an exact science that is for sure.
It is similar to zone blocking in that if you talk to ten different offensive line coaches you will get ten different approaches to zone blocking scheme.
While there are always differences, most competent S&C coaches share some things in common. Many times the differences are due to differences in styles and the players in the program.
From what we can determine Coach Wellman, compared to Coach Barwis, puts a premium on good solid weight gain and more emphasis on building size and strength. This approach fits what Coach Hoke wants to see, a more physical, tough, aggressive style of play.
Coach Barwis emphasized more running and agility, which favored the style of play that Coach Rod wanted to run, namely the up-tempo, hurry up offense that as an end seeks to wear down or confused a defense.
Both approaches require a ton of intensity, discipline, and work.
Most S&C coaches can mold their system to what the head coach wants. We believe Coach Barwis could have adapted his system to mesh with what Coach Hoke prefers, but in most cases the head coach gets comfortable with somebody he knows and relies on, and that is probably the reason why Coach Wellman has been brought into the Michigan program. Certainly, it can never be stated Coach Barwis has or had any deficiencies and was nothing but an extreme asset that ranged far beyond football and physiology.
Please remember that the S&C staff spends more time with the players than the coaching staff. So such gurus are the lifeblood of a program with knowing what the players need, want, and what is going on with the team in the off-season when the coaches have limited access.
Coach Wellman also works a lot on nutrition programs for his athletes. He might not be as highly regarded as Coach Barwis has become at Michigan, but he is a very good S&C coach and Michigan will do quite well with him.
At this time we wish to thank Coach Barwis for all he has done at Michigan. He has made quite an impression with fans, players, and all of us at GBMWolverine. He has talked to us personally several times when we attended practices and has always been willing to share and help in anyway he can.
He was a great ambassador for the program and somebody that helped Michigan not only with football, but also the entire athletic program at Michigan.
He is a champion and represents the best in coaching.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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