Michigan Coaches' Control of Offense Draws Scrutiny

Michigan lost 13-6 to Indiana in overtime, and the decisions of head coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck came under scrutiny as the Wolverines’ offense failed to turn its chances into points. The team reached the red zone twice, including the 1-yard line and 3-yard line, but scored only three points on those trips. The people calling the plays held the authority; the players on the field had to operate inside a scheme critics said didn’t fit their strengths.

A scheme without an identity

Michigan’s defense ranked No. 2 in total defense according to PFF. The offense ranked No. 130 of 138 nationally, with the rushing offense at No. 101 and the passing offense at No. 127. Fox Sports’ Brady Quinn criticized the use of extra offensive linemen and the play-calling, writing that the offense had “zero identity” and that its play caller needed to “design an offense around the strengths of the players you have.”

Quinn also objected to how often Michigan brought in an extra offensive lineman, saying it gave the defense “one less player to worry about in the pass game.” He wrote that Michigan seldom threatened defenses downfield and questioned the lack of quarterback movement to sprint or boot on first or second down. His criticism pointed to a basic imbalance: coaches choose the structure, while the players’ abilities determine whether that structure can work.

The article criticized the “rhino” position because it could leave a player out of passing routes and reduce the quarterback’s options. It said Beck appeared reluctant to use tight ends. Against Indiana, Jalen Hoffman played 39 snaps and Hogan Hansen played 31; PFF graded Hoffman 52.0 and Hansen 61.9. According to PFF, Michigan had 38 rushing attempts excluding four sacks. The article listed 15 runs outside the tight ends or rhino, 16 between the tackles and 11 between the guards, and said running between the guards had been the team’s most effective direction all season.

The people making the calls

After seven games, Whittingham defended Beck’s work ethic while acknowledging the offense lacked continuity. “Last year, Jason was exceptional, and we had exceptional results,” he said. “There’s no lack of work ethic or spending time on it. We’re in the building around the clock.” Whittingham said Beck was “searching for some rhythm and some continuity.”

The report said Michigan had failed to score in the first half in each of its previous two games, the first time that had happened since 1962. It also described quarterback changes: Michigan moved from Bryce Underwood to Tommy Carr after Underwood threw two more interceptions against Penn State. Former Michigan players and commentators cited in the story included John U. Bacon, David Pollack, formerly of ESPN; Michael Stone, a former 97.1 FM radio host; former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson; On3’s Andy Staples; RGIII; former Michigan wide receiver Tarik Black; and The Detroit News’ Bob Wojnowski. Quinn, RGIII, Black and Wojnowski were among those criticizing coaching or play-calling.

Michigan was penalized once against Indiana. That call moved Indiana from its own 26-yard line to the 41 and changed the down from second to first-and-10; the Hoosiers didn’t score on the drive. Whittingham didn’t challenge two other questionable calls, saying officials told him challenges would be futile. His sideline response to calls against Michigan was also questioned.

The responsibility stays upstairs

The report said Whittingham had 21 years of mostly successful work in Salt Lake City, Utah had moved on to Morgan Scalley, and Michigan was worse than a year earlier with mostly the same personnel. It compared this offense unfavorably with previous Michigan offenses led by Sherrone Moore, Kirk Campbell and Chip Lindsey; the Wolverines had ranked 14th nationally in rushing the previous season.

After the loss, Whittingham said, “we need to modify schematically” and “play some different players,” while insisting, “I’m not putting this on the players at all.” He added: “We have to be better as coaches and do a better job of putting these guys in a position to succeed.”