DETROIT – If anyone knows what Michigan football can do on offense, it’s former Alabama coach Nick Saban.
The last team Saban faced, and will likely face, was the Wolverines, who beat the Crimson Tide, 27-20, in the Rose Bowl. Saban retired the following week and then began doing NFL draft analysis for ESPN.
When Zak Zinter was drafted by the Cleveland Browns Saban made some strong comments about Michigan’s front office.
“Michigan has the best-coached offensive line of anyone,” Saban said. “And they have great technique and play together.”
On Thursday at SMSB, new Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was asked about Saban’s comments, and while he didn’t know it, he revealed some new information: He has spoken with Saban since taking over as head coach of the Wolverines for advice about the role.
“Yes, I didn’t even know that. That’s cool,” Moore said. “I saw something like JJ and I didn’t even hear that comment. But that’s an incredible statement from probably the best college coach in college history. So I had the opportunity to talk to him a few times about the head coach’s life and things like that. So it means a lot, it means a lot to me, it means a lot to the players. But ultimately, for me, it was what the players did. So they were phenomenal and excited with the rest of these guys to keep picking up the slack.
It’s been a concerted effort for Moore to pick as many brains as possible — not just that of Saban or his mentor, former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
Moore says it’s critical to understanding best practices and how to run an organization to consult those who have a solid foundation for doing just that. So he relied on Harbaugh, Saban and several other coaches — even in Michigan athletics.
“Yeah, I think if you’re not learning as a coach, then you’re failing,” Moore said. “Like, there’s no coach that knows everything. So I think you have to continually learn from everyone, in every way, any resource you can get. I definitely try (to consult with) different coaches, whether it’s football coaches, basketball coaches, different coaches. I mean, our softball coach is a legend. So yes, I ask her things too. So, everything within an organization and how to manage innovation.”
