The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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team looks to reestablish itself as Michigan, there aren't any shortcuts. Fall practices feature full pads, A nearly every day. The workouts are unrelenting, and spill into a schedule involving daily demands most can't imagine. That's why Brady Hoke smiled when he recalled trying to give his team a break, and getting politely turned down. "This tells you a little bit about your team," Hoke offered. "We were going to practice on a Wednesday, with only shoulder pads and helmets, late in the year. I was going to take something off of them. Three of them approached my office, with two of the seniors, and said: 'We're going full pads, because that's who we are.' That speaks volumes." Senior tight end Kevin Koger strode among those determined to make it tougher on themselves. He, senior nose tackle Mike Martin, and fifth- year senior center David Molk will forever have their images among the Michigan captains inside the walls of Schembechler Hall. Hoke won't forget his first set of Michigan captains. After a 10-2 regu- lar season, back-to-back wins over Nebraska and Ohio State, and a Sugar Bowl invitation, neither will a host of recently suffering U-M fans. "Being a captain is a great honor," Hoke told those assembled at this year's Michigan Football Bust. "Being a captain at Michigan is as important of a role as you can play on a football team. We have great seniors, and they did a tremendous job of leading this football team. "I really believe each and every one of them had an effect, when you look at the work ethic of the team, the integrity, the character and the decisions that were made. We've had three captains who have done a tre- mendous job." Those seniors, three of whom would become captains, knew they had a job to do from the moment The no-nonsense David Molk, a fifth-year senior, was the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and the Rimington Trophy win- ner as top the center in the nation. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN BY JOHN BORTON ny football season becomes physically and mentally grueling, especially at this level. When a Michigan Hoke walked in the door. The new coach made it very plain. He told them if he had to lead this team, it wouldn't be all it could. They had to take ownership. They had to do what it took to get Michigan onto the path they all wanted it to go. Molk insisted Hoke gave Michi- gan's seniors more power than they've enjoyed in the recent past. The Rimington Trophy winner as- serted the new coach made a perfect call. "It was nice," Molk said. "I was actually really happy he did that, re- ally happy he gave so much support to his senior class, and gives us as ing with Hoke. Even learning to lead involved a process, the senior noted. "There was a run during the sum- mer when a lot of guys were strug- gling," Koger recalled. "We were struggling for leadership, struggling for people to step up. We had some seniors going different ways. We weren't all on the same page. "We met later that week, and made the decision that we all had to be on the same page. Whatever somebody says, you've got to support them, no matter if you agree with it or not. That was the turning point. From there on out, I felt like we were a lot closer as a group." Michigan's Captains And Seniors Carve A New Course S BLUETEEL much leeway as we have. In certain decisions, he'll let us assist. "When you first come into a team, you don't truly know everything about the team, and we did because we've been here. I thought it was a very intelligent thing he did, and it helped us a lot." That doesn't mean everything went without a hitch. Plenty of work goes into moving from the idea of taking a huge leap forward to actually do- ing so. Hoke talked about that journey, when describing some of what his new team endured with strength and conditioning coach Aaron Wellman. "Six a.m. workouts with Coach Wellman are not easy, I promise you," Hoke said. "They're grinding. They challenge you. But these guys went out there and led. "Summer conditioning is not fun. It's not supposed to be fun. They did a tremendous job of leading. Our se- niors truly do understand what Mich- igan is about." Koger recalled sitting in summer leadership meetings with Wellman, who is into his eighth year of work- DISTINCT PERSONALITIES During fall camp, the Wolverines designated their leaders for the sea- son. Koger, Martin and Molk became 2011 captains, ones featuring ap- proaches as different as their person- alities. All brought significant contribu- tions to a squad on its way to Michi- gan's first 10-win season since 2006. Koger factors in as the most gre- garious of the group, lending an effer- vescent personality to those looking to fire up the Wolverines at any given time. He even took on a self-titled alter ego in the effort to raise U-M's spirit. "Koger calls himself 'Hypeman 86,'" Molk said, with a grin. "He is that jump-around guy, getting every- one hyped up." He also supplies a serious, teaching aspect for younger players, according to Martin. "Kevin does a great job of connect- ing with the younger guys," Martin observed. "You have underclassmen that have gotten a lot of playing time, that a lot of guys look up to. You've got to talk to those guys and make JANUARY 2012 THE WOLVERINE 25