The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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BY MICHAEL SPATH D .J. Durkin had options — he could cull information from line coach, and former defensive coordinator, Greg Mattison so he knew what to expect from the defense this spring, or he could start fresh, a more challenging endeavor for a staff that has little time to waste before the 2015 season be- gins, but one in which he eliminated any preconceived notions of a single player. He chose the latter. "What I want to do is make sure all of these guys, and I told them this, they have a clean slate to start from," said Durkin, who is in his third ca- reer season as a defensive coordina- tor after two at Florida in 2013-14. "I came in and watched some games to see where some of our needs were from recruiting, but in terms of individuals I want all these guys to know, 'Maybe you're a guy that hasn't played much but you have the opportunity to do that. Maybe you're a guy that has played a lot but you have to go earn it.' "I think the whole room under- stands they have equal opportunity to go win some snaps on the field." While passing and running game coordinators Jedd Fisch and Tim Drevno face the difficult task of res- urrecting an offense that produced a 30-year low in scoring (20.9 points per game, lowest since 17.8 in 1984), Durkin has more to work with. The Wolverines ranked seventh nationally in total defense in 2014 (311.3 yards per game allowed) and 27th in scor- ing defense (22.4 points allowed per game), and return eight starters from the season finale against Ohio State. The Maize and Blue's spring ses- sion included three practices a week for five weeks — U-M took March 1-7 off coinciding with the university's spring break — culminating in the April 4 spring game, and during that time Durkin was keen to figure out his unit's strengths and weaknesses. "I'd like to say by the end of spring, we'd like to have a really good idea of 'These are the things we're good at, these are the things we need to keep TOP PRIORITIES Defensive Coordinator D.J. Durkin Is Evaluating His Players With Fresh Eyes