Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison, two old defensive line coaches, try to get the most from Will Campbell
CHICAGO -- Will Campbell was a five-star recruit and ranked the country’s fourth-best defensive tackle when he set foot in Ann Arbor in 2009.
They don’t get much more heralded than that.
Two years later, he has five tackles.
What happened? And when -- or will -- the inconsistent Campbell start meeting the lofty expectations that followed him from Detroit Cass Tech to the Wolverines?
Michigan's Mike Martin says fellow defensive lineman Will Campbell, above, "knows he’s in a spot where he needs to step up and be a big part of this defense."
AnnArbor.com file photo
For starters: There’s less of him.
“I thought he was a little bit out of shape (in the spring), and needed to lose a little bit of weight,” Hoke said Friday during the Big Ten media days in Chicago. “He’s done that at this point.”
Campbell, who stands 6-foot-5, was listed at 331 pounds last season and has struggled with weight throughout his career. Hoke said he hopes Campbell will play at 320 pounds this season, which would indicate the junior was heavier in the spring this year than his listed weight last year.
If he’s to turn things around, the right men are in charge.
Hoke is a longtime defensive line coach, dating to his one season at Grand Valley State in 1983. He also coached the position at Western Michigan (1984-86), Oregon State (1989-94) and Michigan (1997-2001).
His defensive coordinator, Greg Mattison, also has coached the position, and plans to implement a 4-3 defensive scheme that utilizes more linemen.
Together, Hoke and Mattison have a very specific plan for how the defensive tackle position is to be played, all the way down to the most basic fundamentals.
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They envision Campbell, who was moved to offensive tackle last season due to his ineffectiveness on defense, to be their guy. The potential certainly is there, but there is work to be done before the move back to defense pays off.
Hoke identified Campbell’s first step, handwork and pad level as areas in which he’s looking for improvement in fall camp.
“I think those are all things that, during the course of summer, those guys work on that part of it,” Hoke said.
Despite jumping between offense and defense, Hoke said he was pleased with Campbell’s physical tools and development in the spring.
Of course, Campbell’s issues haven’t always been physical.
Former Michigan defensive end and current NFL player Brandon Graham said earlier this month the Mattison hire could benefit Campbell more than any other current player because “he’s going to call him lazy, going to get him out of his comfort zone.”
“With (Campbell’s) numbers, he’s just been getting by, and that’s what he needs -- somebody that’s going to deal with him,” Graham said.
Michigan senior nose tackle and unquestioned defensive leader, Mike Martin, said Friday Campbell’s mental approach needed work.
“I wouldn’t say he was lackadaisical, but you sort of get in that comfort zone when maybe you won’t get in all the time during the game,” Martin said. “Whatever it is, if you’re not pushed to raise your level of play, you’re sort of going to settle, I guess.
“I’m not saying Will is that kind of guy, but he’s been thrown in a position where he needs to play.
“He’s got no excuses. He’s going to be playing.”
Mattison already has said as much.
“Coach Mattison said, ‘If we don’t have a guy who can play 3-technique the way I want it to be played, we’re not going to run this defense.’ And (Campbell) was like, ‘Wow, I guess I got to learn it,’" Martin said.
So, how has Campbell responded to the overtures from his coaches and teammates?
Martin has been in the trenches with Campbell, and perhaps has better insight into his makeup than anyone else on the team.
“His attitude and his mindset have really improved,” said Martin, a second-team all-Big Ten player last year. “He knows he’s in a spot where he needs to step up and be a big part of this defense.
“I’m in his ear all the time, ya know, ‘I’m counting on you.’ He’s next to me all the time, and (linemate Ryan) Van Bergen is saying the same thing, too. We always tell him we’re counting on him, and if you have your teammates telling you they’re counting on you, you’re not going to want to let them down."
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Trisha
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
Will Campbell! You are going to be great! I think with Martin, Van Bergen, and you, we are going to see a defensive restoration full of success and exciting plays! You have your Teammates and a GREAT coaching staff who will finally get you where you need to be. And, you have a GREAT career to look forward to. Make this a Breakout year for yourself. Don't do it for the fans...Do it for your teammates and yourself. Play with pride and dignity...and GO BLUE!!
Blu n Tpa
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 3:14 p.m.
Right on sis!
tulsatom
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 12:13 p.m.
If Hoke and Mattison with their defensive coaching pedigree can't reach Campbell and get him to play to his full potential then Campbell is unreachable. As Brandon Graham mentioned, WC needs to be taken out of his comfort zone and this coaching staff appears to be doing that. I hope it works. As far as who's to blame for Campbell underachieving up to this point, first and foremost it is WC himself for not taking pride in his game. He knew U-M needed him badly last year and he still couldn't be motivated to play better. That's on him. He let the team and his teammates down. However, not all players are self-motivated like Martin, Kovacs, etc, and some need extra attention by a head coach with defensive coaching experience. In the last U-M regime, the head coach -- for all intents and purposes -- served as offensive coordinator and that's where he invested the majority of his time and energy. He left the defense to Greg Robinson except for the demand to play the ineffective 3-3-5 defense, which is a poor scheme against most Big Ten teams. He otherwise paid scant attention to the defensive side of the ball unless pressed by the media to address its problems. Even then he sounded annoyed and his comments sounded like they were being made about another team and not his own. In retrospect, maybe that WAS the case. His philosophy was to try to win high-scoring "shootouts" (like the Illinois and Indiana games) instead of having a balanced team that could play both sides of the ball well. Only time will tell if things are different this year but it's sure looking to me like things are changing for the better.
D21
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
Lorraine, After posting my comment and then reading your comment, I am forced to rebut your senseless drivel. RR is 100 to the tenth power times worse than Carr no matter what you say, period. GO BLUE!
Lorain Steelmen
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
Carr basically left the cupboard bare for his successor...not knowing who it would be. (He could have left after 2006, and given his successor a solid senior class, but no, he always took care of good old Lloyd, before anything else. Then, after 'retiring' Carr, talked Mallett out of staying an getting his Michigan degree, and leading the team.
D21
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 12:51 a.m.
Don't hate on me when I pose this question: DOES ANYBODY MISS HAVING RR AS...ugh...OUR HEAD COACH? Theo212 & Lorainne??? HOKE IS IT!
missionbrazil
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 9:56 p.m.
Lorraine "And you are right, when you say that UM has had others, (players), that have taken far too long, if ever, to reach their potential. And that, in a nutshell, speaks volumes about the Carr regime, particularly from 2001 on." So what you are saying is that in the case of Will Campbell, it does fall on the old HC. Your comment speaks volumes about whatshisname's failed regime.
missionbrazil
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 8:56 p.m.
That is true at this point... it is time for WC to step it up.
Lorain Steelmen
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 7:31 p.m.
Unfortunately, I think it just is, NOT in Campbell's DNA, to move out of his comfort zone. I think RR saw that, and moved him to O-line. Sad to say the kid has to step up and want it...no one else can do that for him.
Lorain Steelmen
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
trueblufan....Your post hits the target. To many posters on here always seem ot want to turn a positive BH comment, into a negative RR shot! And you are right, when you say that UM has had others, (players), that have taken far too long, if ever, to reach their potential. And that, in a nutshell, speaks volumes about the Carr regime, particularly from 2001 on. ('Camp entitlement') In the end, the kid has to WANT to pay the price, to be all he can be, (read 'special'). In MHO, Campbell was a monster playing amongst boys in HS, but he never had the 'drive' to go to the next level. It's just not in his DNA. My sincere hope is, that Hoke, Mattison & Co., can somehow light a fire under him. BUT, in my opinion, the answer to this problem, is a young man named, Quent Washington. This defense, has to get a 'nasty edge' to it. Personalities that are only 'going through the motions', just hurt UM , not help UM. And that, is at the heart of the deterioration under Carr. (A 'culture of entitlement') Lets' hope that Hoke, has had enough of that ..... It's been ten LONG years! After having listened to all the 'so called' 'UM fans', rip the guy (RR) that was brought in here to revive this program, my patience is gone. It's time for this team, to make it's statement. If 'lil' Willy, wants to be BIG WILL, he better get after it...but right now, nobody in this league is too worried. Too bad we can't transplant Jordon Kovach's heart, into Campbell's body! Brady Hoke has to bring 'heart' back to Michigan, after a ten year absence! There have been some great kids here, (eg, Perry, Henne, Hart, Long, but since 2001, the word, 'heart' has been preety much the sole possession of ohio state, (and it kills me to say that). My hope is, that Hoke won't get stabbed in the back, like the last guy (RR) was. But Hoke has inherited enough guys to help implement that mentality, guys like Mike Martin on defense, and Denard Robinson on offense....passion and class. Go Blue!
braggslaw
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 5:48 p.m.
For those who have wrestled or played football, the key is hip strength and leverage. I am an average sized guy, but back in the day I could overpower kids that outweighed me by thirty pounds simply by using physics and leverage. Will does not flex his hips, he stands straight up loses leverage at the point of attack and gets pushed back. They need to send him to a sumo camp so he learns how to bend his knees and flex his hips. I hope they can fix the problem this year.
Dr. Vag
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
Tragic Hero <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFImk76u-7I" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFImk76u-7I</a>
D21
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 12:57 a.m.
So tragically funny!
Blu n Tpa
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 3:45 p.m.
tbf Who moved him in the middle of the season to offense? Middle of the season! I don't think you are going on the record that the defense was well coached last year are you? Come on take a stance for once. Did you like that defense? Who was responsible for coaching that team? That's all I was saying and if don't like it prove me wrong. I stated in my post that CW's revival starts with him or do you think he sees someone else in the mirror? And, a part of coaching is getting the player to step it up and if WC does that, it's ALL about coaching. If you can't give this coaching staff any credit for whatever improvements that are shown, where does that put you, true blue fan? TiM Go Blue!
burton163
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
IMO Will Campbell's ability to step up and play consistently is the key to the entire defense this year. When the top teams in the B10 are all run first schemes, we're in trouble if the middle of the line is weak or inconsistent, or if Campbell falls off every game in the 4th qtr. We lack talent and depth at LB, all the more reason we need a stout DL. It would be huge If Campbell can make teams pay for doubling Martin. I'm confident we'll get production out of Martin, Roh and VanBergen, but the line is only as strong as the weakest link.
truebluefan
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
"The switch to offensive line by the previous staff was a poor decision." "Moving Will Campbell last year was the desperate act of a desperate man." Again, it seems anything positive for Hoke needs to come with a snark against RR. But, nothing really positive has happened yet with regard to Campbell! It's talk until he shows something on the field of play, which he hasn't for two years. Now many big recruits in Michigan's past (Gabe Watson was one) took three years or more to get their head on straight and start contributing. So if WC starts playing well this year, it's going to be RR's fault for not coaching him properly? In the minds of many here, I'm beyond sure that will be the case.
missionbrazil
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
I have no doubt that we will see improvement in WC and the team, provided that they do the things they need to do and work hard. That is part of the integrity and character and accountability that we hear BH talking about, and it is not just talk. We will see continual improvement in fundamentals, technique, mental toughness, attitude,... Go Blue !
Blu n Tpa
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.
Moving Will Campbell last year was the desperate act of a desperate man. Campbell had been on campus for almost two years. That was two fall camps, spring ball, and allmost 20 games and still after all that time they didn't know where to play him. Remember this was the same coaching staff that had Roh out of position for most of the year. So let's hope those days are gone forever. The "no excuses" applies to the players too. It's time for someone to light a fire under WC and hopefully it's the man in the mirror. TiM Go Blue!
psaume23
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 12:46 p.m.
Will Campbell is a smart kid who graduated from one of the best high schools in the state, Cass Tech. With the right coaching, which appears to be in place at UM, he will respond and use his God-given talents to the fullest.
Hailmary
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 11:45 a.m.
Usually this kind of play or lack of from this kind of talent is indicative of a player that has lost his desire to play football. It will be interesting to see if the coaches can coach him up.
scott
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.
Will Campbell's speed for his size is ridiculous, he just needs the technique to get much better and you'll see how talented he is.....Watch him in goal-line situations and you can see it.
RWBill
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.
Good luck, big guy, work your butt off. Opportunities like this don't come too often in life.
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Jul 29, 2011 : 11:52 p.m.
Getting off on the right foot, getting a good start, GETTING GOOD TRAINING AND COACHING - these essentials are necessary for success in so many areas. Whether wage earner or athlete: when these things are missing at the beginning, trouble is right ahead (for everyone involved). Glad to see that (again) Coach Hoke and Coach Mattison have identified the need and problem and are addressing it smartly. Will Campbell: I hope you're re-motivated because this could be your breakout year, putting you on the road to success at Michigan: and beyond. Good luck to you. Go Blue!
81wolverine
Fri, Jul 29, 2011 : 11:04 p.m.
The is clearly a "make-it or break-it" sort of year for Campbell. He does have big potential, but up until now it's just been that. Part of it hasn't been his fault. The switch to offensive line by the previous staff was a poor decision. And all the reports are he received poor coaching here. Now things are much different. He's in the right position. And he's being coached by the best there is (Hoke and Mattison). Campbell is really a pivotal player for Michigan this year because our defense must improve for us to have a successful season with 8 or 9 wins. And a good defense starts in the middle. I'm optimistic that Campbell will really step up this year.
scott
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 1:32 p.m.
Campbell just struggles with basics, it's not poor coaching, it's just that he was young. Hopefully 3 D-line coaches can get him going, but so far he still has a long ways to go.
Sparky79
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.
A poor decision? First off, Campbell wasn't doing squat on defense. Second off, *it was Campbell* who approached the coaching staff about making the switch - <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/michigan-football-team-shuffles-linemen-in-hopes-of-solving-dearth-of-depth/">http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/michigan-football-team-shuffles-linemen-in-hopes-of-solving-dearth-of-depth/</a> Position changes happen all the time in athletics. If you aren't having success at one spot, there's nothing wrong with trying another in hopes of cracking the line up and (hopefully) getting some motivation. Some even considered Campbell a better offensive line prospect than defensive coming out of high school. Look at another 5-star Cass Tech product--Joseph Barksdale. Was considered the No. 4 defensive tackle by Scout, No. 6 on Rivals (four-star to Rivals). Like Campbell, I think ESPN or someone said he'd make a better OL player than defensive. Sure enough, he ended up on offensive line at LSU and ended up a third round NFL draft a few months ago. Offensive or defensive line, wherever Campbell ends up, I hope he succeeds.