Wojo article on M culture change since 2020, from selfish to team
Wojo discusses how Harbaugh and M have turned the program around since the dark days of 2020. I found one aspect interesting, a couple of quotes from Keegan and Barnhart about how we had lots of "selfish" players in 2020, quotes below:
“We had a lot of selfish players,” offensive lineman Trevor Keegan said. “We didn’t really have a good culture.”
“There were guys that just wanted to be here for themselves, and have the name Michigan behind them and go to the league,” offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart said. “Now, everyone wants to be here, and everyone wants to play for each other and win.”
While 2020 was dark indeed, for many reasons, I don't recall much discussion about team culture being a problem then, or selfish players being obvious. Did I miss that? And speculating, who do we think Barnhart and Keegan are referring to?
December 29th, 2022 at 10:15 AM ^
Your last sentence = bingo...
Not sure how you just hire someone that Harbaugh will immediately trust and listen to, and accept dissent from. Seems like when Harbaugh yelled, Biff raised his eyebrow and said 'start over' in a way that Harbaugh respected. Not many direct reports can/will do such a thing. And even fewer can get away with it more than once or twice.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:19 AM ^
I think Hart can be that guy to an extent.
December 29th, 2022 at 11:35 AM ^
Harbaugh will find his guy. Minick was important to him as was Poggi. The coaching needs have changed around the game with NIL and the portal. It has changed culture everywhere.
Poggi's leaving isn't due to the game changing, but his replacement is probably going to have a different portfolio. Recruiting your roster is a bit of what we are talking about here.
December 29th, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
If you read the Athletic article it was clear how valuable he was to the team,
I read the article and it was certainly glowing. At the same time, I don't think it was a coincidence that the article appeared just as Poggi was looking for a head coaching job.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:13 AM ^
Harbaugh is a student of the game and coaching. Biff highlighted some great things to him - and challenged his thinking, and encouraged actions on Jim’s part. My gut says, Harbaugh learned a few valuable lessons.
And, one point is telling the players what he (Jim) feels. Another aspect is the post game interview - “You want to talk to this guy / these young men”, or engaging with every player as they enter the locker room after a game.
Little things can make a big difference.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:46 AM ^
Also a point to consider is if Biff did indeed have this type of effect on Harbaugh, it will continue regardless of his presence being there or not. Lessons learned from mentors like that stick and change a person.
December 29th, 2022 at 11:41 AM ^
Life,
I agree - a mentor is valuable for everyone in a leadership position. Someone you can talk to about things on your mind. I think Bo and Jim’s father served that role. And, Jim’s relationship with John is also extremely valuable.
It’s tough to be in a position of responsibility - and, have trusted relationships where you can listen to a different point of view, that challenges what you are thinking.
December 29th, 2022 at 12:37 PM ^
no doubt. mentorship is vital for anyone striving to better themselves or their organization - just so happens that constructive criticism, kicking around ideas, calling bs, unloading stress, etc become trickier as status elevates or leadership assumed where many lose sources of valuable straight talk.
its tough to establish and maintain healthy culture, more so with dozens in annual turnover among 120 motivated young men. some envision earning tens of millions in their 20s (both realistically & unrealistically), others just happy to be playing ball/school. its a unique environment - now NIL & portal also added to the mix. the best teams can offset somewhat natural locker room issues via impact players setting the tone, working the hardest, reinforcing culture on daily basis.
very impressed with harbaugh and co this year as it couldve been disastrous to have 2 captains bail while trashing the program. well see if they can maintain difficult balance of talent, culture, scheme moving forward
December 29th, 2022 at 9:39 AM ^
Well, things wont always be great, but they're great now. Looking back at that list of coaches and players who departed, and some of the stories around it... seems to make sense.
Interesting looking back on what we thought would be disastrous, and how it worked out for the best.
Many of the coaches we love the most right now were hired that season.
I was watching a podcast yesterday about how OSU continues to insist on being an NFL factory, and an NFL program... and Michigan/Harbaugh came in with the same mindset. But, when it wasn't working, he decided that its better to build a college culture team... which results in fewer highly touted recruits, but more buy-in from the guys who are here. It gives us an actual identity - do we always win? no. Will we be in the playoff annually? Probably not. But we know who we are. And he built this team to beat OSU. It worked. The rest is now gravy.
I also think that guys who aren't 100% motivated by NIL up front are also a slightly different breed - one that focuses on guys "who love football" as Jimmy always says he wants. Not about what they deserve/want, but guys who are focused on the game, more than money. I don't begrudge anyone getting every dollar they can, but .. guys who are here for the love play differently than those who flip around to the highest bidder. Ask A&M.
All that said, things are sunshine and rainbows because we're winning - and winning breeds more winning... but all things come and go in cycles - i just hope this turn goes slowwwwly and we milk out a few years of joy.
What's the quote? Tough times forge tough men. Tough men forge good times. Good times forge weak men. Weak men lead to tough times.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:20 AM ^
TRVB,
I agree with your comment.
First, if I may - Michigan does not have the highest ranked recruiting classes - that appears clear.
But, Michigan has, IMO, recruited players with character and commitment - and - “enough” talent.
Would you prefer a team of “very” talented young men who work together toward a common goal, or - a team of “exceptionally” talented players who have their own agenda?
My view is - the former is much stronger. And, how is that manifest with these teams? Look no further than the OL and TE position groups. I’d argue those are those most intricate units to perform effectively - and, it doesn’t appear there’s a more effective OL / TE position group in the country. And, I respect what Georgia has done - their units seem to be solid too.
December 29th, 2022 at 11:23 AM ^
THE Ohio State University case in point
December 29th, 2022 at 11:53 AM ^
Alabama seems to be able to do both, as shown by the fact that Will Anderson and Bryce Young are both playing in their “meaningless” bowl game.
December 29th, 2022 at 12:16 PM ^
The quote at the end is raw bullshit used to justify things like domestic abuse and war, but go off.
December 29th, 2022 at 2:20 PM ^
Wow! Sensible and beautifully written.
December 29th, 2022 at 9:45 AM ^
Meh, i dunno. I think having a good team culture is important but it's just one of many factors that combine to make a strong football program and translates to wins on the field. You could have a group of dudes who love each other and still lose a lot of football games.
Looking at the team this year vs 2020, culture may be better, but so is coaching (look at the coaches we have now vs 2020)..night and day at some key spots, so is talent at key positions (QB, DT, RB, C), and low and behold we're seeing better products on the field. A ton of guys who were on the roster in 2020 are still on the roster.
Not discounting the comments, but i do think things like this are chicken and egg. It's easy to lose team chemistry and see guys looking out for themselves if you're losing and don't have key pieces at positions of need, or coaches who never show up (hi Bob Shoop!). It's also easy to play for the team when you're winning and the good times are rolling. And even then you have the McNamaras and Alls of the world, so who knows.
Just Win Baby!
December 29th, 2022 at 9:59 AM ^
I think there’s something to this (Jim Leyland used to say something to this effect and he had to deal with Barry fucking Bonds so he would know) but I also think the upperclassmen leadership on these last two teams has been extraordinary and I’m convinced that has made a huge difference.
In the off-season leading up to 2021 Devin read a text Josh Ross sent him over the off-season about how motivated and determined they were which turned out to be prescient
December 29th, 2022 at 11:49 AM ^
The defensive line was rough in 2020. If Hutchinson hadn't gotten injured I think things would have been better.
December 29th, 2022 at 9:56 AM ^
Is this really Harbaugh turning anything around or just the bad luck/good luck of identifying a few players who ultimately didn't fit and then left?
December 29th, 2022 at 10:08 AM ^
Four, I believe the difference is cultural, and that’s a part of the foundation of the team. I don’t have a crystal ball - and, certain things aren’t easy to sustain / maintain. I hope the leadership is in place to instill this mindset and culture - which is reflected in effort and diligence throughout the year.
S&C at 6:00 am in February - isn’t necessarily fun. But, it does make a difference.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:22 AM ^
Nothing is ever one thing. There's a combination at play that includes Harbaugh changing some things, Biff Poggi doing some stuff, some players leaving, some players stepping up. It all coincided to what we have today. If any one of those things doesn't happen, we're not here today.
The good news is that the guys in the program today, staff and players, have all recognized where they are and - probably - why they're here. Don't try to finger one thing, but accept the end result!
December 29th, 2022 at 10:39 AM ^
Va, great comment. And, I agree - it’s a number of things - and, all of them are important. Synergy is one word that may capture it.
It begins with the players and staff, development, scheme, coaching, talent, effort, discipline, communication, vision, mission, unity.. etc.
This appears to be as “tight” of a team as I have seen in a long time.
Go Blue!
December 29th, 2022 at 11:02 AM ^
Like Jim Collins book, "Good to Great", he identifies 6 or 7 characteristics of great companies and says when you put them together and let them work over time they act as a flywheel, a lot of mass spinning a little bit faster and faster until you have the momentum that breaks through into sustained excellent results.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^
Harbaugh has self evaluated himself and his staff every year. Look at the changes he made in staff. Who knows what he did with players but he definitely must have identified BC and HH to take the load in RB room and hence the departure.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:13 AM ^
I’ve always wondered about DPJ’s relationship with teammates. The moment that started it for me was after the sliding catch against Notre Dame, in 2019. When he gets up, he brushes Nico away and runs up the sideline.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:41 AM ^
It has been said that “team culture” is an overrated concept until you are on a team with a prevailing attitude that is toxic and selfish.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:35 AM ^
I'm not saying Wojo is a shill ---- he's not. But you usually don't get (for any team) articles about culture problems in real time. The people in the locker room don't want to talk about it and many writers won't write about it even if they are aware of it or sense it.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:56 AM ^
I pointed out back in 2017 that it didnt seem like a very good team culture was being built, just a bunch of talented individuals and got blasted for it.
It was easy to see, it is night and day different how the teams act on the sidelines now biggest vs back then, I said "we're gonna lose" after MSUs first series in the monsoon game in 2017.
It is refreshing to see guys want to win for Michigan so much the last couple years. These will be some of our most beloved teams even decades from now, not just for the wins, but the dedication and culture.
December 29th, 2022 at 11:54 AM ^
I pointed out back in 2017 that it didnt seem like a very good team culture was being built, just a bunch of talented individuals and got blasted for it.
Yeah, sure you did buddy.
The article isn't talking about those teams going back that far, just 2020.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:59 AM ^
Victory has many fathers but defeat is an orphan.
December 29th, 2022 at 11:05 AM ^
May I wish you a belated Merry Merry Merry Deanmas.
December 29th, 2022 at 1:40 PM ^
… I don't recall much discussion about team culture being a problem then, or selfish players being obvious. Did I miss that?
Well, you’re not on the actual team, so…
December 29th, 2022 at 3:23 PM ^
I have wondered about this aplenty-and pondered it..
I disagree with the "addition by subtraction" that many here seem to be wanting to consider.
These are the factors that I believe played a significant part in this transformation:
1) I believe Jim Harbaugh took a long, hard look in the mirror...had some meaningful conversations with friends and family, who he trusted deeply, about "things"...and set a new course for himself.
2) To add to #1: Jim specifically consulted his older brother-John. And John offered some great advice and assistance-and Jim took it to heart.
3) To add to #2: Biff Poggi was brought in and provided Jim with both a counsellor and a sounding board. Jim is a very bright football mind but he is independent and fearless to a fault. Recently it was noted, I don't remember the source, that Biff reeled Jim in and aborted his penchant for going off on tangents-made him reconsider things and follow more optimal paths-not just do stuff to see if it worked.
4) To add to #2: Jim dismissed a couple highly respected coaches and brought in a significant group of younger, very gifted coaches...and he freed them to coach what they knew. And this group is elite. Here, I don't know whether Jim was lucky or good-but this is one hell of a coaching staff...right there with Georgia and Alabama-way ahead of OSU.
5) Aidan, and probably his dad too, constructed a player-led course of individual and team responsibility for how they prepared themselves physically and mentally-as well as how they performed directly upon the field of play. And they, subsequently, played their hearts out for themselves and their teammates and refused to wilt under pressure. As fans this was a most stunningly wonderful transformation-I cannot imagine the joy and sense of accomplishment this must have been for the players.
In a nutshell.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:37 PM ^
I couldn't even read it, I'd rather subscribe to the Daily Kick in the Nuts Club.
However, even that title is obvious oblivious.
How could it be "born" during 2020? If the culture change hadn't already happen, 2020 would have completely broken the program.
It was because they had already changed the culture of the program with the 2018 and 2019 recruiting classes that it grew strong during the chaos of 2020 becoming an unstoppable juggernaut of destiny.
The "change in culture" happened sometime in Feb. 2017 after that "signing of the stars" clown show, easily marked by the hiring of Sean Magee and best exemplified by the signing of Hassan Haskins in October.