Wolverines 'still learning' but expect to do a little bit of everything with new defense
Mar. 3—There hasn't been much shared in terms of specifics, from Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh last week, to returning defensive starters Aidan Hutchinson and Brad Hawkins in interviews with reporters this week, regarding what to expect from the new defense this year.
That's probably partly intentional and, as Michigan enters its second week of spring practice, also a function of some learning-as-they-go from the coaches to the players. It seemed everyone knew what to expect from former defensive coordinator Don Brown, known as "Dr. Blitz" when he took over in 2016, but things are less publicly defined with first-time coordinator Mike Macdonald.
The 33-year old Macdonald spent the last seven seasons with the Baltimore Ravens on John Harbaugh's staff, including the last three as linebackers coach. This is his first time coordinating a defense at any level. Michigan has almost an entirely new-look defensive staff, with the exception of Shaun Nua, who returns as defensive line coach. Maurice Linguist is co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs, George Helow works with the linebackers and Ron Bellamy, hired to coach receivers, is now working with the safeties.
Hutchinson, a defensive end last season who suffered a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery, gave some hints on Tuesday when asked his role in the new defense.
"Coach Mac has brought in a multitude of different schemes, so I'm gonna to be doing everything this year, standing up, hand in the dirt, you name it," said Hutchinson, who is able to participate in running and individual drills and hopes to be in competitive situations toward the end of spring practice. "Look at any of the edge guys for the Ravens, and that's who I should look like."
Last month during an appearance on the "In the Trenches" podcast with Jon Jansen, Macdonald was vague regarding his defense but offered some insights.
"Trust me, we're going to be multiple and we're going to get after people and we're going to be aggressive, and we're going to blitz, and we're gonna look like we're blitzing and we're not gonna blitz and we're gonna play man and we're gonna play zone," Macdonald said on the podcast. "We're going to be complementary, but it's how you play that makes the difference. Do you strike blockers? Do you stay square? Do you communicate? Do you sign and co-sign? Do you guys run to the ball like your hair's on fire? Those are the things that are important.
"That's the standard about how we want to operate. And so if you can visualize 11 guys playing for one another every down for 60 minutes, that's where we're going. That's the first meeting we had with our guys was how do we want to play, what's our standard?"
Michigan's season last fall was cut short three games because of a COVID-19 outbreak and the Wolverines finished a dismal 2-4. The defense ranked 89th nationally, allowing an average 434.3 yards, and was 95th in scoring defense, allowing an average 34.5 points. Gone from that defense are defensive end Kwity Paye, a projected first-round NFL pick, two-time captain Carlo Kemp, a tackle, and starting linebacker Cam McGrone.
Brad Hawkins, a starting safety, decided to return and has lofty goals.
"I want to be a first-team All-Big Ten, first-team All-American," Hawkins said. "I have great hopes for myself. I want to be great. I didn't come back to be good or average."
Hawkins said Macdonald is installing new concepts each practice and called the process "exciting," but emphasized they're all in the learning process and getting on the same page with terminology.
He offered only a broad sketch of what's happening on defense.
"Different varieties of things," Hawkins said Tuesday. "Different positions. Everybody interchangeable. Everybody playing all over the field. A lot of different players around the ball. Of course a lot of new things. We're still learning. We just got done with Week 1 of spring ball, so definitely a lot more learning to do and a lot more installs to be put in."
How big of a departure is this from Brown's defense? Hawkins wouldn't budge and reiterated there's different coverages and new plays are being added and new installs.
"Just scheme-wise," Hawkins said of the differences. "Coach Brown had his defense, Coach Mike has his defense, just running different things.
"(Macdonald's) a younger guy, brings more energy just around all the different position groups," Hawkins said. "He's a young guy. Brings a lot more energy."
Twitter: @chengelis
