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Ann Arbor — In December at a practice before the bowl game, Michigan offensive lineman Jake Guarnera said during the team’s initial meeting with new head coach Kyle Whittingham, one thing was clear.
“That he's just going to bring back discipline to this program and being focused on a goal of winning,” Guarnera said at the time.
Four months later, that discipline is alive and well, and the players have embraced this new staff’s approach. There are rules about attending class and rules about workout. Break them, and the punishments are tough.
“We have something in place through the strength and development staff,” Guarnera said Monday during a break in spring practice. “If you miss a workout, you’re coming in at 6 a.m., either a Wednesday or Saturday. You miss two, your whole unit’s coming in, and you miss a third one, the entire offense or defense is coming in. That’s something that keeps people on track. We also have a list that goes out every day if you miss class. Each position group will have a certain punishment for not going to class or being on the list.”
Offensive tackle Andrew Sprague said the players have responded well to Whittingham’s discipline.
“Definitely a lot more leadership and accountability on this team,” Sprague said Monday.
Guarnera said there have been some occasions an entire unit has come in at 6 a.m. as punishment, but the entire offense and defense have been spared.
“It’s good to see kids are learning from their mistakes and learning to handle themselves professionally,” Guarnera said.
Teaching accountability is also coming from the older players, he said. They are guiding the younger players and helping them understand why it is important to be on time and in class, and how any slip affects not only the individual, but his teammates, as well.
“This Is the standard,” Guarnera said. “You’ve got to be present and invest in yourself. You missing workouts, the punishment is more teaching you that you’re not getting yourself better. This is harming you not coming to workouts. It’s not a punishment because you missed it.”
After the bowl game, receiver Kendrick Bell said he would be returning to the Wolverines this season and described himself as “Michigan through and through.” He is the younger brother of two-time Michigan captain Ronnie Bell, so he has been ingrained in the program.
Still, what would come next at Michigan had him wondering what he should do once he got back after the bowl game.
“I had some doubt, I aint going to lie,” Bell said. “I’m glad I came back and wore the maize and blue.”
He also is enjoying the focus on discipline and making the players responsible for their actions and understanding there are consequences. This is how teams take shape and build camaraderie.
“It’s good, because it’s not only making you a better football player, it’s making you a good human, a good person,” Bell said of having the punishments outlined if you miss class or workouts. “You know what they say, the Michigan way — go to class, get the degree, do all this and get to capitalize on the field as well.”
The bottom line is everyone is being treated the same way, and the expectations player to player are the same. It’s about living up to those expectations off the field that add up.
“(There’s) lot more accountability.” Bell said. “You can’t get away with certain things. It is nice to have. It’s kind of like a breath of fresh air with this new staff.”
Asked to explain how different things are from the previous staff and what has changed, Bell held off. But it’s clear he’s pleased with how everything is now.
“I ain’t going to go into detail,” Bell said, “but I will say it’s nice to have Coach Whitt and all of them here.”
[email protected]
@chengelis
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan Wolverines football coach Kyle Whittingham brings discipline
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“That he's just going to bring back discipline to this program and being focused on a goal of winning,” Guarnera said at the time.
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Four months later, that discipline is alive and well, and the players have embraced this new staff’s approach. There are rules about attending class and rules about workout. Break them, and the punishments are tough.
“We have something in place through the strength and development staff,” Guarnera said Monday during a break in spring practice. “If you miss a workout, you’re coming in at 6 a.m., either a Wednesday or Saturday. You miss two, your whole unit’s coming in, and you miss a third one, the entire offense or defense is coming in. That’s something that keeps people on track. We also have a list that goes out every day if you miss class. Each position group will have a certain punishment for not going to class or being on the list.”
Offensive tackle Andrew Sprague said the players have responded well to Whittingham’s discipline.
“Definitely a lot more leadership and accountability on this team,” Sprague said Monday.
Guarnera said there have been some occasions an entire unit has come in at 6 a.m. as punishment, but the entire offense and defense have been spared.
“It’s good to see kids are learning from their mistakes and learning to handle themselves professionally,” Guarnera said.
Teaching accountability is also coming from the older players, he said. They are guiding the younger players and helping them understand why it is important to be on time and in class, and how any slip affects not only the individual, but his teammates, as well.
“This Is the standard,” Guarnera said. “You’ve got to be present and invest in yourself. You missing workouts, the punishment is more teaching you that you’re not getting yourself better. This is harming you not coming to workouts. It’s not a punishment because you missed it.”
After the bowl game, receiver Kendrick Bell said he would be returning to the Wolverines this season and described himself as “Michigan through and through.” He is the younger brother of two-time Michigan captain Ronnie Bell, so he has been ingrained in the program.
Still, what would come next at Michigan had him wondering what he should do once he got back after the bowl game.
“I had some doubt, I aint going to lie,” Bell said. “I’m glad I came back and wore the maize and blue.”
He also is enjoying the focus on discipline and making the players responsible for their actions and understanding there are consequences. This is how teams take shape and build camaraderie.
“It’s good, because it’s not only making you a better football player, it’s making you a good human, a good person,” Bell said of having the punishments outlined if you miss class or workouts. “You know what they say, the Michigan way — go to class, get the degree, do all this and get to capitalize on the field as well.”
The bottom line is everyone is being treated the same way, and the expectations player to player are the same. It’s about living up to those expectations off the field that add up.
“(There’s) lot more accountability.” Bell said. “You can’t get away with certain things. It is nice to have. It’s kind of like a breath of fresh air with this new staff.”
Asked to explain how different things are from the previous staff and what has changed, Bell held off. But it’s clear he’s pleased with how everything is now.
“I ain’t going to go into detail,” Bell said, “but I will say it’s nice to have Coach Whitt and all of them here.”
[email protected]
@chengelis
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Want to comment on this story? Become a subscriber today. Click here.This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan Wolverines football coach Kyle Whittingham brings discipline
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