Ann Arbor — Kyle Whittingham is doing a crash course on Michigan football, reading everything he can about the program, the history and the tradition. He wants to know what he’s stepping into, but that doesn’t mean he’s stepping lightly.
This is not a designed or delicate transition. It’s a new order born of disorder, and Whittingham is handling it the only way he knows. With discipline and plain-speaking demands, delivered in a low gravelly tone that’s sometimes hard to hear, not hard to decipher.
Whittingham, 66, built a program in his 21 years at Utah on the bedrock of stability and toughness. It’s the same bedrock Michigan knew for decades, until its world flipped upside down. From the wild success and scandals of Jim Harbaugh, to the sad demise of Sheronne Moore, Michigan’s foundation was shaken. And it’s clear Whittingham isn’t here to build something new, but something familiar.
“The closeness from players and coaches, you can see the shift we’ve had (from last year),” junior defensive end Lugard Edokpayi said. “The (coaches) are more on top of everybody. The overall vibe of the team, the locker room, the morale, we didn’t know what to expect with the new staff, but everybody stayed together.”
Whittingham certainly has the pieces to piece something back together, but even he doesn’t know what he truly has yet, with a team expected to be ranked somewhere between 10 and 15 in the preseason. No major clues emerged from the spring game Saturday in wet, chilly Michigan Stadium, as the defense dominated. The Maize beat the Blue 7-6 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Tomas O’Meara with 17 seconds left. The Maize won the steaks, and now the stakes start rising.
Passing grade?
Whittingham said he liked a lot of what he saw in spring football, although not much was notable Saturday. His evaluations were succinct, mostly positive, but not glowing. Bryce Underwood didn’t do much at all in the game, although it was hard to judge, as he ran often to escape the pass rush. That’s not a total surprise considering UM’s defensive front is expected to be a strength, and the offensive line more of an unknown.
Five-star freshman running back Savion Hiter showed big-time flashes, as did freshman receiver Salesi Moa. Michigan’s offense should be considerably better, if only because there’s no way the passing game can be so bad again (105th in the country).
Underwood only threw nine times Saturday, completing three, as he quarterbacked both teams in the first quarter and wasn’t allowed to be hit. Backup Tommy Carr (Lloyd Carr’s grandson) performed well as the No. 2 guy, and that may indeed be his role this fall. He showed athleticism scrambling for first downs and a solid arm, completing 21 of 30 for 143 yards.
Underwood is still the guy, obviously, but hasn’t yet shown he’s The Guy who was rated the top prep quarterback in the country a year ago. He should get more chances with an improved offensive line that returns three starters, as well as others that played a lot. There’s an influx of talent to supplement standout receiver Andrew Marsh and top running back Jordan Marshall.
“There’s some things that may not be noticeable to the general populace, but (Underwood’s) footwork, his pocket presence, he’s improved in all areas,” Whittingham. said. “He still has work to do, but I think he’s ahead of where he was, and we think he’s got a big upside. We’ve still got a lot of confidence in him.”
Whittingham’s offense at Utah improved dramatically under new coordinator Jason Beck, who came with him to Ann Arbor. UM’s offense was a wreck last season, from Moore’s relative inattention to one-and-done coordinator Chip Lindsey. Underwood’s inexperience compounded the problems, as he threw nine interceptions.
But the incoming freshman skilled players, Hiter and Moa, should inject some octane, along with touted transfer receiver JJ Buchanan.
“We feel like we’re heading in the right direction, and there were some real bright spots out there today,” Whittingham said. “I thought Savion Hiter really showed that he’s an explosive back. He didn’t get loose out in the open but he’s a powerful back that’s going to be a big factor for us this fall.”
Hiter, the consensus No. 1 high school back last year, brings the credentials and the confidence. He said people compare his running style to Bijan Robinson, and his straight-ahead power is impressive. He’s a capable receiver and is getting better at pass-pro blocking, but nothing is being handed to him.
“(Whittingham) is very tough on us,” Hiter said. “But that’s what we need out of a football coach. That’s what we need to win nattys, be the No. 1 offense in the country, that’s what I’m hoping for. … When (Whittingham) came here, our mentality had to be different. We knew he wasn’t going to deal with any of the BS.”
Moving forward
Hiter stuck with Michigan after Moore’s firing, a scandal that unearthed a startling void of decorum and direction in the program. The Wolverines somehow went 9-4, which makes one wonder what they could do with more organization and discipline.
Hiter wondered if they could get it back, but he didn’t waver.
“I already knew we were gonna be good because you got that block M on yourself, you gotta represent that very well,” Hiter said. “I love Michigan, and that wasn’t going to change.”
Plenty has changed around here recently, and the hope is, the Wolverines can move forward by going back to their bedrock. That means back to a pounding run game and a punishing defensive front. If Whittingham gushes about anything, it’s the batch of big fellas up front, including Trey Pierce, Cam Brandt and Utah star transfer John Henry Daley, expected back from injury June. 1.
“That appears to be our strongest suit right now as far as depth goes, 10 bodies ready to play,” Whittingham said. “If you can be two and a half deep on the front on defense here, that’s a real luxury.”
Michigan may have taken its luxuries for granted the past few years, assuming Moore could replace Harbaugh without much oversight, and without a significant dropoff. The collapse had multiple causes, including Moore’s personal failings. AD Warde Manuel was fortunate that Whittingham became available at precisely the right time, as Utah was ready to move on to a younger coach-in-waiting.
So again, this is a bit of a forced transition, for all involved. Whittingham doesn’t have the time or inclination to reinvent himself or the program, so he’s learning all he can, and replicating whatever’s feasible.
A couple weeks ago, he described how he’s navigating hallowed terrain.
“The tradition, the history here is incredible,” Whittingham said. “I mean, it’s as steeped as any program in the country. So I’m really more of a custodial role here. We’ll put our own stamp on the program and our own way of doing things, but I’m very respectful and aware of all the history here. And I don’t have the right, nor should I have the right, to alter that or change that.”
No, he doesn’t have to change the history. He does have the right — the order, actually — to alter the direction and restore it as close as possible, as quickly as possible, to something more familiar.
Bob.wojnowski@detroitnews.com
@bobwojnowski
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Wojo: Does Kyle Whittingham have pieces to put Michigan back together?
Reporting by Bob Wojnowski, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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