5 things to watch as Michigan Football opens spring practices

New coordinators

Harbaugh said in a recent interview that it was a surprise that Josh Gattis left for Miami but Jim made the best move possible to replace him in promoting both Sherrone Moore to offensive coordinator and Matt Weiss to co-offensive coordinator. Here’s what he said:

"“Yes, didn’t see that coming. But, the fortunate thing is we’ve got Sherrone Moore, Matt Weiss, Mike Hart, Ron Bellamy, and adding Grant Newsome, who was also here last year. So, you can imagine the continuity is as good as the continuity could be. And thrilled to add Grant to the full-time staff. I’m not his dad, he’s got a great dad — Leon Newsome — but he’s somebody I wish was my son.”"

Things will be different next season as Harbaugh made it sound like the play-calling will be done more by committee as Moore will call run plays and Weiss pass plays.

Michigan used a collaborative approach before and it was clear that Harbaugh’s fingerprints were all over the offense last season anyway, but still, it’s a new process and we’ll see how it works. Here’s how Jim explained it:

"“We’re gonna — two offensive coordinators, co-coordinators, we’re gonna split the playcalling duties. Sherrone is gonna be dedicated really to still coaching the offensive line, which is a huge undertaking, but he’s very much a gifted coach that will be able to coach the offensive line, game plan, the run game along with Mike Hart and Grant Newsome. And in the pass game, Matt  Weiss, myself, Ron Bellamy will be game planning the passing game and Matt will call it.”"

That being said, Moore and Weiss are incredibly bright and Mike Hart will also be pitching in as run-game coordinator. The offense should be loaded from quarterback to offensive line. The Wolverines are losing three starters but have talented guys replacing them and as long as the play-calling doesn’t miss a beat, it should flourish.

This spring will be also the first glimpse of Jesse Minter, the new defensive coordinator. While his scheme is supposed to be similar, there are sure to be some adjustments and how the players respond to Minter will be one of the key questions of spring practices.