Longform article on Ben Herbert
Gets into detail about his training philosophy. Also seems like a fairly eccentric dude, which is why he probably gets along with Harbaugh:
September 27th, 2023 at 2:14 PM ^
That twitter video clip in the article is classic.
September 27th, 2023 at 2:17 PM ^
"He was very detailed with what he had to talk about," five-star offensive tackle David Sanders said in an interview with 247Sports last month. "Which was very impressive because nowhere I've been have they let us be in the strength and conditioning program, meet everybody, and actually contribute to what they're doing. So that was a little bit different and very unique about Michigan."
According to 247, Sanders is "cool" toward Michigan; he's "warm" only to Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson, and South Carolina.
September 28th, 2023 at 9:06 AM ^
I can see why he’s “cool”. The OL has only won the Joe Moore award back to back - and, the S&C approach has been clearer and more transparent than any other program he’s visited.
On second hand, that doesn’t make sense - perhaps it’s something else - like a legacy brown bag program - or other “less formally recognized” incentives.
September 27th, 2023 at 2:20 PM ^
Good Read. Do recommend. Seems like the right kind of crazy.
September 27th, 2023 at 2:28 PM ^
If it's normal to not care about detail, then maybe the world needs more crazies.
Although I wonder why our secondary is inexplicably more like an infirmary this season. That hadn't been a thing since Herbert got here.
September 27th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
Every time I read an article about Herbert I want to go flatten some dudes. Pump a bunch of iron. Scream until I'm hoarse. Get better.
Harbaugh has a plan. If you can't or won't buy enough five stars, you'd better be developing players better than anyone else. Herbert and the assistants are doing yeomans work on that end.
September 27th, 2023 at 2:30 PM ^
I remember JH saying at the end of the 2017 season that we needed to get stronger and quicker. Wisc/Ark's loss was our gain. The fact that guys like Chip Kelly wanted to talk with him too showed he had a good rep for progressing people. I still remember a nice tackle Moody made vs. MSU last year on a broken/muffed KO play that had a chance to go somewhere. Now I know why he was brave enough to do it.
Joel Klatt talked about the S&C of UM players and how we won the battles on the lines in 21 and 22 vs. Ohio. Glad Big Ben is paid nicely!
September 27th, 2023 at 2:43 PM ^
Herbert has a strong belief that any household should only have one coffee cup per resident, a concept which maddens his wife, Kelly. And when the two first moved in together in Wisconsin — a few years before their sons were born — Herbert was still measuring the distance between hangers to ensure his closet was properly spaced.
He sounds autistic. And since I'm convinced Harbaugh is as well, yeah, I'm not surprised they clicked.
September 27th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
This article has everything!
- classic Harbaugh
- a story of humble beginnings
- hate for the color red
- disrespekt
- an invention
September 27th, 2023 at 2:59 PM ^
On Wisconsin
September 27th, 2023 at 3:15 PM ^
With Orji being such a beast it seems weird that we don't really use him anywhere.
September 27th, 2023 at 4:44 PM ^
He’s dinged up currently but was looking to be a third down threat at QB in the red zone, maybe even pushing Warren and Tuttle for QB2, and a potential kick returner. I think they are just getting started with him and you will see lots of Orji later this year when he’s healthy. There’s nothing better than a healthy Orji now and again, and if the Orji is that good you’ll want to see it more often.
September 27th, 2023 at 3:16 PM ^
September 27th, 2023 at 4:32 PM ^
Listening to strength coaches always reminds me of Shia L:
September 27th, 2023 at 4:54 PM ^
I’m still scarred about last year when an article came out like this about Biff and he left the program within a matter of weeks
September 27th, 2023 at 6:12 PM ^
Take it back…immediately.
September 27th, 2023 at 6:18 PM ^
He may leave Michigan temporarily to play the role of a beserker in a Viking film. Otherwise, I think he's staying.
September 28th, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
Yeah but Biff left to take a HC job, i.e. a promotion. Where would Herbert go that would be a promotion?
September 27th, 2023 at 5:25 PM ^
Good grief, every single thing I read about that man makes me ready for battle. How could you not be?
September 28th, 2023 at 5:54 AM ^
+100 to you. Thank you for posting this. It's apparent that Herbert has been so vital, even paying $1M isn't enough when Jim is making $7M. Am wondering what the contingency plan will be if when he leaves, because this has to continue for the benefit of program.
But to call him eccentric, that word can often have different meanings, one of which that they "behave in a strange way" which carries a slightly negative connotation to me. Rather, I say he's a clear thinker...like the concept of one cup per resident while living in apt. When we think about it he's right. Not like you're gonna have a ton of people over for coffee. And my house has at least ten more cups than we will ever need. It's these types of original thinkers that people call strange, but in truth, it's them that stay true to their thought and not go with the masses.
September 28th, 2023 at 6:02 AM ^
Great piece, thanks for posting!
September 28th, 2023 at 10:03 AM ^
Finally, someone else with a cup roster.
https://youtu.be/QXnRlSgdr18?si=pWnNBCkjd-X4F2FK
September 28th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
It's great to read about Herbert's background, history, and approach. And, the interview process with the coaching staff was insightful too.
I cannot imagine how engaged the roster is - as well as their drive to be "in the green".
The change over the past few seasons has been easily notable. My perspective is - "it's a team thing" - players, analysts, administration, S&C staff, position coaches, coordinators, and the head coach. If everyone isn't aligned - the optimal / potential results can't be attained.
Again, thanks for sharing.
September 28th, 2023 at 11:49 AM ^
a S&C coach and their staff are probably the most important part of the overall coaching staff
September 28th, 2023 at 12:25 PM ^
I don't know what Herbert's current weight is - but, the phrase "he's worth his weight in gold" - seems quite appropriate.
The entire team - players and staff - deserve immense credit and support. IIRC, the S&C team is the only group that works with the players "year round'.
Herbert and his staff are worth every penny. And - to be fair - the players - their attitude / commitment / etc. - deserve a ton of credit too. It appears to be quite a symbiotic relationship between the players and the staff.