Rumor: Mike Barwis joining Red Wings organization.

Submitted by BryRich3 on August 2nd, 2019 at 8:37 PM

I see a rumor floating around about former Football Strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis has been hired by the Red Wings as Director of human development. Barwis trains many hockey players personally at his gym. 

I'mTheStig

August 2nd, 2019 at 11:23 PM ^

I hope this works out.  Like a lot of people from outside of SE Michigan, they don't necessarily want to come but once they get there, they stay.  Hope that intensity translates to the ice.  The Wings aren't contenders yet but I don't want to see them get pushed around like they have at times over the last couple of seasons.

JDeanAuthor

August 3rd, 2019 at 11:50 AM ^

If true, it's a good hire.

Something that needs to be remembered here: a S&C coach trains and molds the players in the manner that the HC wants them to be trained and molded. Under Rich Rod, Barwis was to emphasize speed over size, and that's what Barwis did.  Barwis isn't responsible for the neglect of defense that characterized Rich Rod's time here, or the idiotic use of a 4-3 coach (Greg Robinson) to run a 3-3-5 defense (Jeff Casteel).  Barwis did what he was told.

And remember, too, that Hoke actually offered Barwis a place on his staff, which Barwis respectfully declined. 

I know people with college level athletic education degrees who have personally trained with Barwis, and they can vouch for the man as far as his methods.  He knows how to shape people up. The question is not his reliability as a S&C coach; it was other factors.

Oh, one other thing: the people who worked out with Barwis started talking with him about what happened with Rich Rod during his tenure at Michigan. Barwis basically said that, while Rich Rod made some pretty bad decisions, it didn't help that there were people at AA who actively undermined him (and I got the impression that this became especially bad when Dave Brandon came in).

Also, it was brought up that, between Rich Rod and Hoke, at least Rich Rod's wins went up every year; Hoke couldn't say that. Take it for what it's worth from people at a gym.