The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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40 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW and hundreds of his players over the years. He once even recalled receiving a message from three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, a former Wisconsin star now with the Houston Texans, telling him he was "in Governor mode" after a particularly tough workout. "There's a saying out there: 'You can't out- train a bad diet,'" Herbert said. "It's one of those things that is very true. It makes all the difference in the world, in terms of being able to tap into your true potential." Built For Endurance Wisconsin, in particular, was known for its physical play during Herbert's time in Madi- son. While strength and conditioning is only one of many factors in a team's success, it was credited for helping the Badgers late in games. Wisconsin reportedly outscored opponents 435-309 in fourth quarters from 2009-12 — Herbert's time in charge of strength and con- ditioning — while its overall scoring margin in November, December and January games during that same time period was 856-442. The Badgers were 15-6 in November or later from 2009-12, with the worst loss in the most crucial months coming by just seven points. That's one area the Wolverines need to im- prove dramatically. Michigan was outscored 47-14 in fourth quarters over their last seven games of 2017 and was blanked 23-0 in the final stanza of losses to Wisconsin, Ohio State and South Carolina. While Herbert stopped short of criticizing anyone or anything in particular, he admitted he saw areas for improvement when he first arrived. "There were certain things I felt good about and certain things I did not feel as good about," he said. "I think the key was we had to identify where our deficiencies were and ulti- mately how we were going to address them. "We were able to do that with all of our guys in their baseline assessments, and we were able to get their viewpoint of training … how they viewed walking into the room, what did they think of it? "On top of what we needed to do physi- cally, there were some things that we needed to improve upon. It was just a matter of going to work." And work they did. Weight room videos released on Twitter showed guys serious about what they did but having fun with it, as well, approaching the weights to music with team- mates gathered around them in circles, cheer- ing them on. The entire strength staff was into it from day one, Herbert noted, and the players re- sponded. "In my opinion, one of my and my staff's strengths is we're able to develop a quick rap- port, making sure guys understand what our goals are," he explained. "Ultimately we want to create an environment that our guys are go- ing to love being in. Our focus is to help you be the best you can be and do what it is you say you want to do. "We always say understanding what you want to do is a lot different than what you're willing to do. They start to understand how we conduct our business, how we communicate, how we coach. Then, like any relationship, you start to bridge that gap quickly. We needed to do that, and I think we did do that." He started by reaching out to one of the de- fensive leaders, junior linebacker Devin Bush Jr., and he didn't wait long after he was hired to do it. The conversation came shortly after a 26-19 Outback Bowl loss to South Carolina, one of the most disappointing setbacks in an 8-5 sea- son. Herbert wasn't interested in beating Bush or his teammates up with training, but he did want to make it clear that while they had time to improve, they didn't have any time to waste. "That was a key," he said. "I didn't want to wait to develop that rapport. I wanted to do it right out of the gate." Of course, the lifting is an integral part, too, and Herbert and his staff knew where to begin. Michigan Football's New Strength Training Facility Michigan goes first class when it comes to renovating athletic facilities — Michigan Stadium and Crisler Center are two examples — and the athletic department didn't stray from that in supplying a new weight room for the football program. Regents approved a $21 million plan in February 2017 to convert Oosterbaan Field House, Michigan's former indoor practice facility before Al Glick Fieldhouse was completed in 2009, into a 32,000 square-foot strength training venue. The new facility replaces the old 12,000 square-foot area, which was located in the Al Glick Fieldhouse. The new space, finished in the winter, includes state of the art equipment, a caged indoor basketball court and a connection to Schembechler Hall. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and interim athletics director Jim Hackett started fundraising for the new facility in February 2015, only a few months after Harbaugh took the job. They traveled together to meet potential donors in an effort to raise money for the project. Previously, an addition to Schembechler Hall, including a new museum, was added in 2014 (a $9 million project). It appears the department isn't finished. The Board of Regents approved a design for a $14.8 million project last September that will renovate about 24,000 square feet inside Schembechler Hall and add an additional 8,000 square feet for athletic medicine, rehabilitation, wellness and nutrition for the football program. The new space will include a pool area with at least four recovery pools, a new team meeting room, administrative space and staff locker areas. Michigan's weight room had last been updated when Rich Rodriguez took the head coaching job in 2008 and brought strength coach Mike Barwis with him. Rodriguez requested a $1 million renovation as part of his agreement with then-athletics director Bill Martin. — Chris Balas