The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/84644
AND THE BEAT GOES ON Marks, But The Wolverines Another Round Of Question Michigan Has Expect To Keep Winning W BY MICHAEL SPATH paign, his current players and the recruits committed to the program rejoiced at the prospect that they would spend their entire Michigan careers with Berenson at the helm of the program. hen Red Berenson signed a contract extension this summer, taking him through the 2015-16 cam- This season will be his 29th coach- ing at his alma mater, and in an era where a decade behind the bench qualifies as an eternity, Berenson has shown an ability to relate to his play- ers that has kept him relevant and proven critical to the continued suc- cess of U-M hockey. "The thing about Red is he's an active learner, always adjusting, whether that's the social elements with his players in the 1980s, 1990s and today, or how hockey has changed over the past three de- cades — he's always looking to bet- ter himself and the program, and I 52 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2012 2012-13 HOCKEY PREVIEW don't think he gets enough credit for that," said second-year assistant Brian Wiseman, who was a standout for the Maize and Blue from 1991-94. "The key to our success has been the leadership at the top, and with Red's résumé, everyone that comes to this program respects him and what he's accomplished. control of the locker room even before classes begin, and convey the coaches' message even more convincingly … one that demands the very best in the classroom, on the ice and in the com- munity from every skater that will wear the winged helmet. "Then once they're here, their re- spect grows because he is such a strong communicator, motivator and educator, and his pride in Michigan impacts down through each class." In 28 previous campaigns, no team has ever rebelled against Berenson, instead buying into his philosophical approach. The upperclassmen take "Our consistency is a tribute to our players, the leadership especially from our seniors because every year they take ownership of this program, and they have a stake in continuing our proud tradition of competing for CCHA championships, NCAA ap- pearances and Frozen Four berths," Berenson said. "As coaches, maybe we give them the blueprint, but if they don't take it from there, we'd