Tag: George Helow

What George Helow said about Michigan’s linebackers after Week 5

The linebackers have been beyond a pleasant surprise this year!

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It’s been a pleasant surprise, how Michigan football’s linebacker corps has rebounded after a not-so-good 2020 campaign. A lot of credit, obviously, goes to both linebackers coach George Helow and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.

The position group went from a weakness to a veritable strength, and that was abundantly clear this last week when the Wolverines limited Wisconsin to a mere 43 sack-adjusted rushing yards running the football — its lowest total going all the way back to 2015.

On Wednesday, Helow met with the media to discuss his position group, the challenge that awaits in Nebraska and Adrian Martinez, Josh Ross’ leadership and more. Here is everything he had to say.

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Everything George Helow said about the linebackers in fall camp

If you love hearing about the technical side of football, you’re gonna want to read this! #GoBlue

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — After having come to Ann Arbor from Maryland, Michigan linebackers coach George Helow met with the media for the first time on Thursday. And for those who enjoy the technical side of football, you’ll be salivating at how much knowledge he just dropped.

Helow broke some news like Nikhai Hill-Green winning the starting WILL linebacker spot, but he also got into the nitty-gritty about what the Wolverines are looking for positionally, as well as what we’ll see package-wise. He also shared that he’s not as married to the scheme as he is getting the personnel on the field in specific instances — which, is a departure from the previous regime on the defensive side of the ball.

All in all, it was one of the more enlightening appearances from a Michigan position coach. Everything he had to say is below.

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Michigan defensive staff aiming to fit scheme to talent, not talent to scheme

Perhaps the biggest welcome change from the previous staff! #GoBlue

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In recent years, when Don Brown led the charge on Michigan’s defense, you knew that the Wolverines were trying to play one particular style of defense: man coverage on the back-end with punishing blitzes up-front. But if the talent wasn’t there on either end, chances were, the defense would bust.

Bust it did in 2020 when the Wolverines could not get into the offensive backfield up-front, while those left on an island in the secondary got scorched repeatedly.

With new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald now leading the charge, he’s promised to be more multiple in approach — saying the team would play both odd and even fronts, while the secondary would play man, zone as well as pattern match on the back-end. But would this new-look defense be married to scheme or the talent? That is, would players be put in a position to showcase what they’re best at or would they be asked to perform precisely within the confines of the system?

Linebackers coach George Helow met with the media for the first time since coming to Ann Arbor on Thursday, and he has one player in his ranks that isn’t a natural fit, per se, in former VIPER Michael Barrett.

Barrett was once a dual-threat quarterback at Valdosta (GA) Lowndes, but since coming to Ann Arbor, he’s played both linebacker and the hybrid-safety role. Helow had announced that Nikhai Hill-Green won the starting WILL spot opposite to Josh Ross’ MIKE — a position thought to be Barrett’s to lose. But in transition, while Barrett assuredly will be a part of the rotation, he was given the opportunity to earn the job due to being skilled as a player.

“Mike’s doing a good job,” Helow said. “I’m sure you’ve all heard it from Mike Macdonald, but if a guy’s earned the right to go out, play and compete, it’s kind of in their hands. We’ll create every opportunity possible to get guys out on the field. Mike was a VIPER in the last scheme he was in, so he’s kind of transitioned to the DIME-slash-WILL. He’s an instinctive guy. You’re kinda looking to see who — after the first two, you’ve got Ross or as I’ve mentioned Nikhai in that first group. He’s in that mix, working hard every day to compete.”

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Overall, Helow likes his group. In terms of versatility, he feels like they’re capable of playing the various looks being installed by the new staff.

“We’ve got a good group of guys. I see all of them fit to the scheme and what we’re doing,” Helow said. “You know, when you just look at it, at the end of the day you guys, whether you’re 3-4, 4-3, whether you ran what they did last year, it’s football at the end of the day. We’re trying to get linebackers to come downhill, play with good stance, play with your hands, whether you’re in a seven or eight-man box. Understand where your help is, whether you’re hitting it inside-out or outside-in. And playing fast.

“Playing fast comes with confidence and knowing what to do. That’s what we’ve been preaching. We’ve got a good group of guys that have been working their butts off every day to execute that. And doing a great job.”

But still, what’s the answer to the big question: is it talent that matters more or is it scheme?

Helow says that if a player has the talent, they’ll find a role for them, even if they don’t have the physical prowess that matches up with the position they’re being asked to play, ideally.

“There’s not one specific — there might be a guy that’s a shorter guy to play a different position,” Helow said. “Like London Fletcher is 5-foot-9, Zach Thomas is 5-foot-9. We’re not saying just because this guy’s not 6-foot-1, even though we could be looking for more length in a position moving forward — we could be. It’s not like he doesn’t fit the scheme and what we’re doing. Good coaches find out the ability of what this player can do and do the best job to make it fit — how to beat the other team. That’s what I think Mike (Barrett) has done a good job of doing and that’s coach’s strategy as well.”

With that in mind, we’ll see how much of a role Barrett plays now that we know he isn’t the starter at WILL. Of course, as Helow mentioned, he could play in dime packages, but if it’s a question of talent, certainly, players like Barrett, who already had it wait his turn as it was, will still see the field early and often.

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Why Nikhai Hill-Green was named starting linebacker by George Helow

This is maybe the first unexpected shake-up to the starting lineup!

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Perhaps one of the first, if not the first, big shakeup to the starting lineup came on Thursday, when it was revealed that second-year linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green will start at the WILL linebacker spot, when it was believed that role had been won by former VIPER Michael Barrett.

The announcement came at a Thursday press conference in new linebackers coach George Helow’s first meeting with the media. He was quickly asked about what Hill-Green had done after his freshman campaign and revealed that he had earned his starting role.

“He’s had a really good offseason,” Helow said. “Nikhai had a plan this offseason, really got after it while in the weight room. Changed his body. Had a great camp. He’s our starting WILL linebacker right now. He’s earned the right to start. Does everything you ask him to do. And he’s very coachable. He’s playing with his hands downhill. Has a good understanding of the defense and what we’re trying to do. He’s unbelievable in meetings — big eyes, big chest. Takes great notes, wired the right way. Just very excited about how he’s done and hopefully what he’ll continue to do.”

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Going back to last year, Hill-Green wasn’t pigeonholed to one of the two regular linebacker positions. Like Josh Ross before him, he was working at both the WILL and the MIKE.

Helow explained that because Hill-Green is a student of the game, it’s made him something of a quick study as far as ensuring he’ll find a regular role on the field.

“What we did in the spring, he was getting a lot of cross-training in,” Helow said. “That’s what we like to do. I did that with the safeties — if you’re playing three-deep zone, I treat the four underneath players as Xs. So he got some cross-training at the MIKE and the WILL. I think when you do that, it makes you understand it on a higher level. Moving him to both spots has helped him understand it a little bit better.

“And he does — he’s very conscientious, as I was saying earlier. He takes notes, he writes it down. I was showing other guys an example of how he goes from special teams meetings and he flips the page over and he takes all of his defensive notes. And then you go over, you do bed-checking and he’s reviewing his notes every night. If he misses something, ‘Hey coach, can you please repeat that?’ So he’s a very conscientious young man and works real hard at it.”

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Michigan completes defensive coaching staff

The defensive coaching staff for Michigan football is complete heading into the 2021 season.

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Michigan finally completed its defensive coaching staff, and while there were some rumored hires on the way, only two came to pass, ultimately.

The Wolverines announced that, in addition to new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, they’re hiring two new defensive coaches while retaining two. Shaun Nua will continue to coach the defensive line while Brian Jean-Mary will continue to work with the linebackers.

As far as the new additions are concerned, they’re two that were reported previously. New safeties coach George Helow comes aboard from Maryland after coming up through the SEC in various stops, while avid recruiter and recent Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist will coach the defensive backs in addition to being the co-defensive coordinator. Macdonald will still be considered the defensive coordinator-proper.

Full release:

University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Wednesday (Jan. 20) the hiring of Maurice Linguist and George Helow to the defensive coaching staff. Linguist will serve as defensive backs/co-defensive coordinator and Helow will coach the safeties for the Wolverines.

“Maurice and George are outstanding additions to our defensive coaching staff,” said Harbaugh. “They are highly regarded and well-respected coaches who have worked with some of the top defensive minds in college football. Their experience at some of the top programs in the country will benefit our team and student-athletes. Michigan Football welcomes Maurice, George and their families and look forward to them joining our football family and university community.”

In addition, Harbaugh announced that the program reached an agreement on a contract extension with Shaun Nua to continue as the team’s defensive line coach. Brian Jean-Mary will work with the linebackers. Those personnel moves complete the defensive coaching staff for the Wolverines under first-year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.

Following is biographical information and comments from Linguist and Helow about joining the Michigan staff:

Maurice Linguist Comment on Michigan

“I have always had an appreciation and an admiration for Coach Harbaugh and his accomplishments at the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan is full of college football’s best traditions, and I cannot wait to get started. I look forward to leading and serving the young men in the program, developing life-long relationships, and competing at the highest of levels on the field. My family and I look forward to getting to Ann Arbor, and we are beyond excited to join the Michigan family. Go Blue!”

Maurice Linguist Biographical Information

Linguist joins the Michigan football staff as defensive backs/co-defensive coordinator after spending the 2020 football season as the defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys. Prior to joining the Cowboys staff, Linguist was the cornerbacks coach at Texas A&M for two seasons (2018-19).

In Dallas, Linguist directed a secondary that forced 10 interceptions while allowing the fifth-fewest passing first downs in the league (180). The Cowboys were also ranked in the top half of the league in pass yards allowed (11th), completion percentage against (10th) and takeaways (ninth). Linguist coached rookie cornerback Trevon Diggs (three interceptions) to a strong first season in the league. Three of Dallas’ four leading tacklers in 2020 were starters in the secondary, including former Wolverine Jourdan Lewis who set a career-high with 59 stops. Safety Donovan Wilson, whom Linguist coached at Texas A&M, led the Cowboys in takeaways (two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries) and was third on the team with 71 tackles.

Linguist has worked with college secondaries at eight programs. Most recently, he coached cornerbacks at Texas A&M (2018-19), defensive backs at Minnesota (2017) and safeties at Mississippi State (2016).

At A&M, Linguist’s secondaries limited opportunities for opponents and played tight coverage in key situations. Teams converted just 31.2 percent of third down tries (102-of-326) over his two seasons and A&M ranked ninth nationally in that category in 2018. The Aggies intercepted their opponents 19 times in his two seasons and made a habit of getting off the field. During the 2018 season, the defense was top-15 nationally in first downs allowed (221) and faced the fewest snaps against among all SEC teams. The defense made a dramatic improvement in pass efficiency defense from 2018 to 2019, jumping from 106th nationally to 26th in the country.

Linguist helped the Aggies produce back-to-back top six recruiting classes nationally in 2019 and 2020. He was the lead recruiter for five-star safety Jaylon Jones, the first-ever five-star defensive back to sign with Texas A&M.

In his season at Minnesota, Linguist’s secondary helped anchor a defense that finished No. 11 nationally with 174.5 yards allowed per game after listing 73rd in the NCAA a year earlier. The unit surrendered 16 touchdowns, a top-25 figure nationally, and also ranked among the nation’s best in first downs allowed (11th), and total defense (30th). Linguist was the lead recruiter for Rashod Bateman, the Big Ten’s Wide Receiver of the Year. Linguist was promoted to assistant head coach following the 2017 season before accepting a position at Texas A&M.

At Mississippi State, Linguist led the safeties group which was responsible for seven of the team’s 14 interceptions. Three safeties eclipsed the 50-tackle mark for the Bulldogs: Brandon Bryant (62, three PBUs), Kivon Coman (58, four PBUs), and Mark McLaurin (51, seven PBUs) were among the team’s leading tacklers. The defense scored four touchdowns (No. 8, NCAA) and totaled 14 interceptions (No. 35, NCAA) during the 2016 season.

Prior to his time in Starkville, Linguist coached defensive backs at Iowa State (2014-15) and Buffalo (2012-13), earning the title of defensive passing game coordinator in his second year at both schools. He coached players to three All-Big 12 honors in his two seasons at Iowa State, including safety Kamari Cotton-Moya, a first-team freshman All-American by the Football Writers’ Association of America (FWAA). Cotton-Moya led the team in tackles and was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year on defense. Linguist would help direct cornerback Brian Peavy to be a finalist for the award the following year.

At Buffalo, Linguist helped the Bulls finish second in the MAC East and reached the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2013. The unit ranked second in the league in interceptions (15), points per game allowed (24.4), and yards per game allowed (382.2). Linguist coached Najja Johnson to first-team all-conference honors and a career total of 38 pass breakups, No. 2 in program history. Johnson led the MAC in interceptions the year earlier as part of a Bulls unit that was tops in the conference in pass completion percentage allowed while ranking second in pass defense.

Linguist spent three years at James Madison, helping the program pull in the top FCS recruiting class during the 2012 cycle while the team reached the second round of the NCAA Football Championship Series Playoffs. He helped JMU rank among the top 20 teams in FCS in scoring defense three consecutive seasons (2009-11).

Linguist’s first full-time position was at Valdosta State, working with defensive backs and special teams. The Blazers went 9-3 and earned a No. 12 national ranking in Division II.

Linguist began as a graduate assistant at Baylor, his alma mater, working as a graduate assistant with the strong safeties and rover backs. During his career at Baylor, he was a defensive MVP and honorable mention All-Big 12 selection. He made 24 starts in 42 appearances as a strong safety from 2003-06. A native of Dallas, Texas, Linguist graduated from Baylor with degrees in communications (2006) and a master’s in health, human performance and recreation (2007). He was an Academic All-Big 12 honoree.

Linguist and his wife, Stacie, have a daughter, Maura (4), and son, Lance (18 months). Stacie is a practicing attorney that is barred in five states [Texas, Maryland, Iowa, Minnesota and Washington (DC)].

George Helow Comment on Michigan

“I am incredibly excited and grateful to be joining the Michigan Football program, a school with a rich tradition and history of winning. I am looking forward to developing great players who are also upstanding citizens. This is an outstanding opportunity to work with Coach Jim Harbaugh, one of the best in the business, and the great coaching staff that he has assembled at Michigan. I can’t wait to get to work. Go Blue!”

George Helow Biographical Information

Helow (pronounced He-LOW) joins the Michigan football staff as safeties coach after spending the 2020 season as the special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach at the University of Maryland. Helow has been a member of two national championship teams and worked with some of the college football’s top defensive minds.

He spent four seasons at Colorado State University (2016-19) prior to joining the Terrapins staff. Helow coached the safeties during his final two seasons on staff, after working with the outside linebackers as a defensive quality control coach and graduate assistant during the 2016-17 seasons.

Helow oversaw a secondary that allowed just 181.6 yards per game in 2019, the seventh-best pass defense in the country and the top-ranked in the Mountain West Conference. Safeties Jamal Hicks and Logan Stewart combined for 193 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions for the Rams. Hicks earned first-team All-MWC and helped lead a pass defense that held seven opponents under 200 passing yards.

In his first season mentoring the safeties, three of Helow’s defensive backs ranked in the top five in tackles on the team in 2018. The Rams ranked fourth in pass defense in the MWC.

Helow has coached at some of the nation’s top programs during his career, with stints at Alabama, Florida State and Georgia. Helow helped the Seminoles win a national title in 2013 as a defensive graduate assistant coach. He also spent two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant at Georgia (2014-15) where he worked with the safeties.

In 2012, Helow broke into the college coaching ranks as a member of the Alabama staff under Nick Saban. He was an intern in the weight room during the spring and summer before working as a defensive intern for coordinator Kirby Smart during the fall. The Crimson Tide allowed just 10.9 points per game during the year and went on to win the national title against Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship Game.

Helow played collegiately at the University of Mississippi from 2006-10. After redshirting in 2006, Helow saw his first career action against Louisiana Tech in 2007 and went on to play in all 38 games for Ole Miss during the 2008-10 seasons, including back-to-back Cotton Bowl victories in 2009 and 2010. He led the Rebels in special teams tackles during the 2010 season and was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, an award given annually to the nation’s most outstanding college football player who began their career as a walk-on.

Helow graduated from Ole Miss with a business degree in marketing and added a master’s degree in adult education during his time at Georgia.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Helow played at Bishop Kenny High School and later attended Hargrave Military Academy Prep School in Chatham, Virginia, before enrolling at Mississippi. Helow returned to his alma mater, Bishop Kenny, to coach with his younger brother Peter after graduating from Ole Miss.

Michigan football assistant coach hiring tracker

Michigan football is building out its new coaching staff and with so many changes, here are those who have been connected to Ann Arbor.

Michigan football is experiencing an incredible amount of turnover on its staff, with some wholesale changes making for a new-look coaching unit set to overtake the team in 2021.

While there’s been just one addition to the offensive staff at this juncture, and it appears that most of the offensive staff will return in bulk, the defense is another story.

We already know about Michigan’s hire of defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, which was announced on Sunday, as well as the previous hire of running backs coach Mike Hart, but there are multiple names that have been reported to join the staff in short order — though none of those have been made official.

Here are all the names of those connected to coaching jobs at Michigan, what their status is, their job history and more below in our coaching tracker.

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Report: Michigan poaching defensive coach from Maryland

Another former SEC player and longtime assistant in that conference is set to come aboard as a new Michigan football coach.

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Maryland may have taken one of Michigan’s prized recruits, but the Wolverines are taking his position coach.

Jim Harbaugh is fully revamping the defensive staff in the wake of dismissing Don Brown back in December. On Sunday, Michigan hired Mike Macdonald, the former Ravens linebackers coach, to be the new defensive coordinator and there’s been speculation about whether or not Florida LB coach Christian Robinson will follow. But another has surfaced.

On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reports that Michigan will hire Maryland linebackers/special teams coach George Helow to be the new safeties coach — a vacancy that’s been all but open since before the 2020 season with Bob Shoop being away from the program.

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An Ole Miss grad, Helow’s connection with Macdonald comes from being a defensive graduate assistant at Georgia — though Helow came aboard the year after Macdonald departed. Before that, he started as an intern at Alabama under Nick Saban and Kirby Smart and eventually wound up at Florida State just before ending up in Athens.

Before he ended up at Maryland — where he spent one year — he spent four seasons at Colorado State, where he had two years as the safeties coach.

He’s another young addition, having graduated from Ole Miss after the 2010 season. He was a former walk-on as a player.

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