Michigan Football: What do all these analysts mean for Wolverines?

Michigan football is doing all it can in terms of the coaching staff to get better, including hiring a bunch of different analysts.

The latest news regarding the Michigan football program had to do with the hiring of another coach to the staff that won’t have any coaching duties.

Throughout the offseason, Michigan football has added a number of coaches for analyst roles and the latest is a former Wolverines assistant and long-time offensive coordinator in college football, Mike DeBord.

While DeBord’s last stint in coaching was in the AAF, he last coached in college at Indiana and Tennessee and after he posted something about how it was great to be a Wolverine last night, MLive first reported his official hiring Wednesday.

Not only is DeBord an experienced offensive coach, but he also spent time at Michigan under Lloyd Carr coaching the offensive line and being the offensive coordinator during his time at U-M from 1997-1999. He was also formerly the head coach at Central Michigan.

The move is interesting because it’s hard to figure out exactly what value someone like DeBord could bring. Obviously, Jim Harbaugh hired him for a reason. Maybe, it’s to help develop the offensive line or to help work with quarterbacks, but more than anything, it’s probably about self-scouting and things like that.

Regardless, Michigan football clearly sees value in analysts as DeBord is just the latest in a string of hires. Another was Chris White, a former tight ends coach for Lions, as well as Tank Wright, who had been a strength and conditioning coach prior. He was thought to be a candidate to fill the vacant linebacker job, but Brian Jean-Mary was hired for that job.

Looking back at last season and over the past few years, there are a number of offensive issues that could be addressed. The running game has been inconsistent, especially against top teams and the passing game has similar problems, particularly when it comes to creating big plays.

DeBord can evaluate things from a broader perspective and offer his two cents, while potentially adding another solid mind to assist with the development of a young and talented offensive line, filled with promising prospects from the last two recruiting classes.

Obviously, Michigan hasn’t and probably won’t offer much detail into what each coach will do in their off-field role, but it’s clear that the Wolverines think it will help them improve and hopefully, they are right.