With the Sherrone Moore hire for Michigan football, the plan is to continue the trajectory of the team. Coming off of a national championship, not only is that smart in the short term, but it’s wise in the long term.
At the moment, Moore has elevated Kirk Campbell as offensive coordinator, which ensures that his vision will continue on that side of the ball. As far as we know, the plan will be to continue running things similarly on that side of the ball. Defensively, the Wolverines are apparently looking at Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen, who was on the Baltimore Ravens defensive staff under Wink Martindale — same as Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter.
But some say, at a school like Michigan, why not be afraid to change things up? Why not seek the best of the best? Take a shot at someone like Jim Leonhard, even though that would require schematic changes?
Despite being a blue blood, in recent years, Michigan has not recruited at the same level as the other elite schools in college football. That could change under Moore, assuredly, but the Wolverines are more likely to be ranked in the top 15-20 than they are in the top five. That’s where establishing and keeping a system is important.
Look no further to Iowa City, where the Hawkeyes have relied on longtime defensive coordinator Phil Parker. Despite having arguably the worst offense in the country the past several years, twice Iowa has managed to play in the Big Ten Championship Game. Sure, part of that is also playing in the weak Big Ten West, but it’s also a testament to the system working. Parker doesn’t need five-stars across the board as some other coaches in the sport do — he just needs to identify talent who can run his system. It works, and it’s consistent — even when the Hawkeyes have had and lost star players, like AJ Epenesa or Jack Campbell — even this year when Cooper DeJean was injured and unable to play. There’s little-to-no drop-off week-to-week, year-to-year.
Change can be good, but if things are working, then there’s no reason to change — keep hammering home what works. Conversely, change can be damaging, even if it’s over time. Though Ohio State fans will screech ‘cheating!’ when it comes to Michigan football having won The Game three straight years, the reality of it is head coach Ryan Day has gotten away from Urban Meyer’s blueprint: toughness up front supplemented with elite skill players. In the aftermath of Meyer’s tenure, Day has loaded up on top-flight receivers and cornerbacks, but the offensive and defensive lines pale in comparison to the talent Meyer had in Columbus. Michigan, on the other hand, has found a formula for toughness, and it’s won a lot of games over the past three years. It’s a stark contrast to what used to fly in Ann Arbor — elite edge rushers, but OK defensive tackles; or an offensive line that was good, but not elite. Those things have changed dramatically since 2020.
So if Moore can lure a Cullen (or another Martindale acolyte — perhaps Martindale himself as he’s without a job at the moment), even if it’s a band-aid, it’s pivotal to continued success. Yes, at some point, there will need to be long-term stability, but players not needing to learn a new system year in and year out is crucial. Until that system gets figured out, of course (such was the case with Don Brown in Ann Arbor). But looking elsewhere, outside of the system, just because Michigan has prestige on its side is a recipe for disaster, particularly in the short-term and potentially in the long-term. Hire someone who can run the established system and move forward from there — that’s the best chance for success now and down the road.