The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1547256
24 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2026 BY JOHN BORTON T he first five weeks of the foot- ball season weren't the kindest to the Bowles family. Both Michigan senior line- backer Troy Bowles and his father Todd Bowles — head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL — absorbed a little more losing than they'd like. Troy quickly became a key component in one of the nation's best defenses, but he and his teammates found themselves saddled with two one-score losses in their opening pair of Big Ten games. Todd ex- perienced double the agony, Tampa Bay dropping its first four games — all by seven points or fewer — before knocking off the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 8. The younger Bowles doesn't welcome that particular connection, but acknowl- edged commiserating opportunities pres- ent themselves. "I definitely have, especially because of what they have going on down there right now," Troy said of leaning on his father during adversity. "Looking at it as like a bonding moment between us because we're kind of … for the first time we're going through similar stuff. I've definitely been leaning on him. He's been giving me encouraging words every day." The best father-son nugget of wisdom to this point centered on resilience. "Stay level-headed," Troy said of his fa- ther's advice. "Don't really look too much into what people are talking about. Keep your head down and work. Nothing's re- ally changing. Goals are still in front of you." One of Troy's personal goals this sea- son likely involved becoming an integral part of a strong defense. He's checked that box in ink. Last year, he appeared in all 13 Michigan games, securing 27 tack- les, including 2 for loss with 1 sack. He SHARED SUFFERING Linebacker Troy Bowles And His Dad Take Some Hits But Keep Pushing Back Bowles, a senior linebacker, led the Wolverines in unassisted tackles (25) through six games and also was tied with teammate Dominic Nichols for second among U-M players with 5 tackles for loss. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL