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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- When Kyle Whittingham was hired, Michigan football was still getting ready for its bowl game, yet, some emerging players welcomed the idea of more discipline in the new regime. One such player, offensive lineman Jake Guarnera, had lamented the lack of discipline that the Wolverines had at the time, but now, it's a whole new ballgame.
Guarnera had quickly tested the transfer portal, despite being enthusiastic in December about what Whittingham was bringing to the table. He returned to the team, and now, discipline is a whole new ball game.
But what does that mean? As Guarnera tells it, there's a personal accountability aspect, where if a player doesn't do what he's supposed to do, it has consequences -- for himself, then his unit, then his entire side of the ball.
"Now we have something in place, like through the strength and development staff: if you miss a workout, you're coming in at 6 a.m. either on a Wednesday or Saturday," Guarnera said. "And then, if you miss two, your whole units coming in. And then you miss a third one, the entire offense or defense is coming in, depending on that. So that's something that keeps people on track, and then we also have a list that goes out every day -- you miss class, things like that. So each position group will have a certain punishment for not going to class or being on the list."
Guarnera says that the offensive line has not yet had to suffer any punishment. But other units have seen players get disciplined. And, as it's been more than once, whole units have had to come in early to make up for their teammate's foibles.
"We've had some times where, like a unit had to come in at 6 a.m.," Guarnera said. "Thankfully, the line hasn't ever had to do that. But you'll see unit like a like certain units -- like the ends will be one unit, outside linebackers be one unit. So we've seen that, but never when the entire offensive-defense coming, which is good because you don't want to have a guy missing three workouts in a semester. So I think it's good to see that kids are learning from their mistakes and learning how to handle themselves professionally now."
Even so, while the punishments can be harsh, Guarnera says that when they've happened to other groups within the team, there hasn't been grumbling or any sense of retribution. Instead, the elder statesmen on those units have used the early-morning workouts as teaching moments for their teammates who have had infractions.
"It's a lot of the older guys in that unit, kind of guiding the younger kids and telling them this is the standard," Guarnera said. "If you want to win, you've got to be here, you've got to be present, and best yourself. And that you missing workouts, it's not the punishment -- it's more of teaching you that you're not getting yourself better. This is harming you not coming to workouts; it's not like a punishment just because you missed it. This is you not coming in, and if you miss this, you're harming yourself more than you think, the punishment is that."
Fans will get an opportunity to see the new-look Michigan Wolverines in the annual spring game, which is set for April 18 at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football's new discipline and accountability
Continue reading...
Guarnera had quickly tested the transfer portal, despite being enthusiastic in December about what Whittingham was bringing to the table. He returned to the team, and now, discipline is a whole new ball game.
But what does that mean? As Guarnera tells it, there's a personal accountability aspect, where if a player doesn't do what he's supposed to do, it has consequences -- for himself, then his unit, then his entire side of the ball.
"Now we have something in place, like through the strength and development staff: if you miss a workout, you're coming in at 6 a.m. either on a Wednesday or Saturday," Guarnera said. "And then, if you miss two, your whole units coming in. And then you miss a third one, the entire offense or defense is coming in, depending on that. So that's something that keeps people on track, and then we also have a list that goes out every day -- you miss class, things like that. So each position group will have a certain punishment for not going to class or being on the list."
Guarnera says that the offensive line has not yet had to suffer any punishment. But other units have seen players get disciplined. And, as it's been more than once, whole units have had to come in early to make up for their teammate's foibles.
"We've had some times where, like a unit had to come in at 6 a.m.," Guarnera said. "Thankfully, the line hasn't ever had to do that. But you'll see unit like a like certain units -- like the ends will be one unit, outside linebackers be one unit. So we've seen that, but never when the entire offensive-defense coming, which is good because you don't want to have a guy missing three workouts in a semester. So I think it's good to see that kids are learning from their mistakes and learning how to handle themselves professionally now."
Even so, while the punishments can be harsh, Guarnera says that when they've happened to other groups within the team, there hasn't been grumbling or any sense of retribution. Instead, the elder statesmen on those units have used the early-morning workouts as teaching moments for their teammates who have had infractions.
"It's a lot of the older guys in that unit, kind of guiding the younger kids and telling them this is the standard," Guarnera said. "If you want to win, you've got to be here, you've got to be present, and best yourself. And that you missing workouts, it's not the punishment -- it's more of teaching you that you're not getting yourself better. This is harming you not coming to workouts; it's not like a punishment just because you missed it. This is you not coming in, and if you miss this, you're harming yourself more than you think, the punishment is that."
Fans will get an opportunity to see the new-look Michigan Wolverines in the annual spring game, which is set for April 18 at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football's new discipline and accountability
Continue reading...
