The Michigan Wolverines visit the Indiana Hoosiers this weekend, pitting three former Michigan Men against their old team. The Hoosiers offensive staff features three former Michigan players or coaches in offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, RBs coach Mike Hart and QBs coach Nick Sheridan. The three coaches answered questions during a conference call about how it feels to coach against Michigan, the Wolverines defense and whether Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has ever reached out to them about coaching at Michigan on his staff.
DeBord was at Michigan in some capacity from 1993-99 and from 2004 to 2007. That included two stints as the Michigan offensive coordinator, producing record-setting offenses, conference titles and a national championship. Hart played at Michigan, ending his career as the career leader in rushing yards. He also had stints at Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Syracuse as the RBs coach. Sheridan played quarterback at Michigan and has drawn plenty of praise from DeBord.
Despite the ties to Michigan, all three confirmed that Harbaugh has never reached out to them to discuss a position on the Michigan coaching staff. Instead, Harbaugh's staff consists mostly of coaches he's worked with for much of his career.
Michigan's current RBs coach is Jay Harbaugh, Tim Drevno is the offensive coordinator and Pep Hamilton is the passing game coordinator. Those three, as well as pretty much the entire Michigan staff and offense, has drawn criticism this year, and the bad showing during the 14-10 loss to Michigan State hasn't helped calm the fanbase. In fact, the Michigan offense has actually been even worse statistically than the Indiana offense. The Hoosiers have more total offensive yards, more passing yards and more points per game this year than Michigan. That comes despite not having the same talent level and using two QBs this year. Indiana has committed to redshirt freshman Peyton Ramsey, a three-star recruit from Cincinnati, Ohio who wasn't even a Top 1,100 recruit. Despite splitting time, he has a better completion percentage, more passing yards and touchdowns and fewer interceptions than any Michigan QB. While Michigan is favored this week thanks to a loaded defense, the Indiana offense led by Michigan Men has managed to do more with less this season.
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Below are more comments from all three Indiana coaches.
Mike DeBord On Playing Michigan:
"To be real honest with you, we haven’t talked about it as a group or whatever," So you get into the season, and game preparation, we have a routine that we’re following. This afternoon we’ll come together and formulate a game plan. Obviously, we’ve talked a lot about their defense, and things like that. We just don’t have the time to sit around and talk about old times. That’s just not part of it. When Nick and Mike came here, I obviously told them why I wanted them here. I went back to those Michigan days. But to answer your question, we haven’t talked about that since then."
Mike Hart On Playing Michigan:
"It’s business. Obviously, it’s not my first time playing against hem as a coach. My first job at Eastern Michigan, we played against them. But it’s business. I think it affects everyone more on the outside more than it affects us. Cause we have a job to do. That’s what we’re here for."
Nick Sheridan On Playing Michigan:
"We care about our players and we’re focused on trying to give them the best opportunity on Saturday. All of our efforts and attention is on those guys."
DeBord On The Michigan Defense:
"It’s got 11 great players on it. They’re not that complex, in the secondary. Lots of man-3 coverage or man coverage. I think they’re very well coached when you look at the techniques and things. I think the complex part of it is up front. They've had some 4-down (linemen) stuff, but as of late, they’re more 3-down. Do a lot of things with those LBs; blitzing them and things like that. Lots of different looks and pressure that way. I think it’s a combo of some great players and great scheme. I think Don Brown is a great football coach. Great staff … they've put together a great system."
Hart On The Michigan Defense:
"They’re obviously a great defense. We’ve played Ohio State and Penn State and this is the best one we’ll have played up to date in my opinion. Devin Bush is special. He’s physical, he can run. He stretches you at the point of contact. A guy we have to be prepared for. As an overall defense, that front seven is really, really special. Just from the run game point of view. Rashan Gary, Maurice Hurst, they're just tough … a tough challenge ahead of us."
Sheridan On The Michigan Defense:
"They play together as a unit. Secondary and front compliment each other. The play tight coverage. No easy throws at all, which forces you to hang onto the ball and let routes develop. In the meantime, they have a front that’s as good as an in the country rushing the pass. Collectively, they do a great job. The numbers echo that. Very well coached in the scheme that they run."
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Sheridan, when asked about having a mobile QB like Michigan State:
"They [MSU] scored 14 points. And five turnovers on the other side of the ball. When you the watch tape, I'm not sure you feel any offense has had a ton of consistent success against this defense. We’re gonna have our challenges and we’re gonna try to put our best plan together."
Hart, when asked to compare current Michigan players to ones he played against:
"They’re all really good. They’ve got a lot of NFL potential. They’re just special. Can compare them with a lot of guys, but overall, they’re just a great, great defense."
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