Michigan Football: Tidbits from CoachBT — Senior Leadership

Posted at 12:00pm — 1/6/2014

Michigan Football: Tidbits from CoachBT — Senior Leadership

First, many of my Blue Brothers think that when I talk about the importance of Senior Leadership I am absolving the coaching staff of blame, or trying to place all the blame on the players. This is 100% false. There are many issues the staff has to take heat for and issues only they can fix.

Jan. 11, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines football player David Molk carries out the Sugar Bowl classic trophy onto the court during a timeout of the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Crisler Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsFootball is the ultimate team game, not placing blame on The Team and focusing on one part will only make things worse. There has to be synergy, a coming together if teams are to succeed.

Michigan’s 2011 team far exceeded any ones expectations. Coach Hoke and staff were super coaches and UM fans were smiling.

Lost in the mess was a senior class, that while not the most talented led by example and would not except less.

Eroc and myself were at practice and SR NT Mike Martin was wearing a red jersey, not participating, but was far from a spectator. We had all the red jerseys running, biking, or lifting. And it was more than a token workout. He was pushing nobody was working harder than himself.

May 11, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Mike Martin (67) works out against the dummies during minicamp at the Titans training facility at Baptist Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY SportsI mentioned to E about Martins character and how he was scaring his teammates. Two days later he was practicing and any linemen who dogged him got the pleasure of going against him. And he abused them. After abuse he talked with them and coached them up. That is senior leadership. Across the field JR Hemingway was doing a blocking drill and any one who did not give 100% got their head handed to them. That is senior leadership. Sure Hoke and staff could of screamed bloody murder, but it would not of carried the same weight as these seniors getting it done. Peer pressure will always make a difference, positive or negative.

November 24, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes former coach Jim Tressel is held by players from his 2002 National Championship team in a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY SportsOne of secrets Jim Tressel’s success was OSU would not be out worked, period. And almost all of the enforcement was player, senior based. Seniors organized the summer workouts and if you don’t show they would go to your dorm/room and drag you out, literally. No excuses, when school is out of sessions players will bunk with teammates who live close and continue workouts. Most of you know I have close contacts to that “TSDS”. I have witnessed this and actually trained with some OSU players. Not working is not an option, and the seniors are in charge and self discipline. I was at an OSU practice when I noticed a freshmen getting taken to school, asked an asst coach what was going on, he told me kid missed three weeks of summer drills with no excuse and was paying a price. That is senior leadership.

Jan 5, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) catches a 28-yard pass for a touchdown against Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) in the 4th quarter during the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY SportsI watched Schaegel, Carpenter, and Hawk abuse a young LBer at practice, he was not giving 100% and the seniors would not tolerate it. Freshmen ended up an AA, plays in the NFL, and eventually had the mantle handed to him and he made sure the youngsters paid the price. My little Buddy and the other senior O Line were schooled by AA 1st round draft pick Ironhead II. He took them to task and made them better. Ironhead II actually taunted them to point there were fists thrown. Ironhead II said if you cannot handle me, opponents will only be worse. That is senior leadership. Now those 4 linemen are heart and soul of OSU team and training next group. Again staff could of stood on their heads, but guess what, coming from teammates and peers it means more.

Trust me guys, MSU, Bama, LSU, USC under Carroll and others all have same thing happening. It is the seniors team and they will go a long to deciding exactly how good the TEAM will be.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — CoachBT

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