- Sep 8, 2014
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Don Brown: 'Everyone says we lost 10 starters. Wait a minute'
http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Don-Brown-Everyone-says-we-lost-10-starters-Wait-a-minute
Michigan has the fewest returning starters in the nation (five), including just one on defense, but Don Brown says that’s overrated.
Especially in the front seven, Brown says there are plenty of guys who have played, even if they weren’t a “starter.” Besides, they’re not learning a new system this time.
“OK, you lose good players. That’s the evolution of what we go through in this profession,” Brown said. “But now the second year in the same system, which is a huge benefit. Everybody says ‘You lost 10 starters.’ Wait a minute. Rashan Gary played all the time. Mo Hurst played all the time. Bryan Mone played all the time. Chase Winovich played all the time. Mike McCray, Devin Bush, Noah (Furbush) played a bunch.
“Secondary-wise, OK, I get it. (Tyree) Kinnel played. Josh (Metellus) started in the Orange Bowl, and outside of a play or two was very functional, made a bunch of plays. I’m not as nervous about that piece. I just think we have a fun group that loves football, and that usually lends to success.”
History has shown that returning starters isn’t a huge benefit. Ohio State had the fewest entering 2016, and they reached the Playoff.
Michigan is also adding the No. 5 recruiting class. Asked about the incoming freshmen, Brown couldn’t heap more praise on their mindsets.
“I really just love our guys,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to get up, come in here, go to work every day. They’re just good people. Sometimes as a coach, you’ve got to work on the social side with the guys to get them to formulate a way they should go about doing their business. These guys, it’s unbelievable.”
Michigan’s new-look defense will debut against Florida at the Cowboys stadium in Week 1.
http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Don-Brown-Everyone-says-we-lost-10-starters-Wait-a-minute
Michigan has the fewest returning starters in the nation (five), including just one on defense, but Don Brown says that’s overrated.
Especially in the front seven, Brown says there are plenty of guys who have played, even if they weren’t a “starter.” Besides, they’re not learning a new system this time.
“OK, you lose good players. That’s the evolution of what we go through in this profession,” Brown said. “But now the second year in the same system, which is a huge benefit. Everybody says ‘You lost 10 starters.’ Wait a minute. Rashan Gary played all the time. Mo Hurst played all the time. Bryan Mone played all the time. Chase Winovich played all the time. Mike McCray, Devin Bush, Noah (Furbush) played a bunch.
“Secondary-wise, OK, I get it. (Tyree) Kinnel played. Josh (Metellus) started in the Orange Bowl, and outside of a play or two was very functional, made a bunch of plays. I’m not as nervous about that piece. I just think we have a fun group that loves football, and that usually lends to success.”
History has shown that returning starters isn’t a huge benefit. Ohio State had the fewest entering 2016, and they reached the Playoff.
Michigan is also adding the No. 5 recruiting class. Asked about the incoming freshmen, Brown couldn’t heap more praise on their mindsets.
“I really just love our guys,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to get up, come in here, go to work every day. They’re just good people. Sometimes as a coach, you’ve got to work on the social side with the guys to get them to formulate a way they should go about doing their business. These guys, it’s unbelievable.”
Michigan’s new-look defense will debut against Florida at the Cowboys stadium in Week 1.
