The Michigan Insider

Latest Episodes:

New Staff to Provide Major Recruiting Boost - Michigan Recruiting Insider Jan 22, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz explain why Mike Hart, Mo Linguist, & Brian Jean-Mary will give Michigan a major recruiting boost and how the program's recruiting philosophy might change. The crew goes in-depth on Linguist's fast connection with five-star Will Johnson and the significance of Jourdan Lewis' endorsement. Next on the agenda was a discussion of how Shaun Nua's recruiting approach will change moving forward. And finally the crew discusses major transfer portal target Henry To'o To'o..

Assessing Michigan's new assistant-coaching hires Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we assess the hires and coaching decisions made by the Wolverines, looking at the strengths and questions of the new assistants and some big-picture talk.

We begin by discussing Michigan's decision to hire former star running back Mike Hart away from Indiana, which we both claim to be the home-run hire of the offseason. We discuss why Hart offers so much more than being a former star player, and what kind of impact he'll make on Michigan's equipped running backs room.

Then, we turn to the defensive side of the ball, looking at new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, co-DC and cornerbacks coach Mo Linguist and safeties coach George Helow. For each individual coach, we look at the strengths they bring and the question marks about them.

We close with some broader discussions on the coaches that stayed, Michigan's timing of the hires, if the Wolverines are "going cheap" this year and if Michigan addressed all of their needs.

Jon Sanderson - CBB's Best Strength Coach - Michigan Basketball Insider Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb break down Michigan's bounce-back victory over Maryland, how Michigan is capitalizing on team's going all out to take Hunter Dickinson away, why Mike Smith is so key to Michigan's success, the importance of protecting Eli Brooks, and preview the upcoming match up with Purdue. Tim and Sam also have an in-depth discussion with Michigan strength & conditioning coach Jon Sanderson on the amazing growth and development of Michigan basketball players during his time at the helm.

Michigan Football's new DC and Basketball's first loss Jan 18, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we offer our initial thoughts to Michigan's new defensive coordinator and react to the Wolverines' men's basketball team suffering their first loss of the season.

We open with a brief discussion on Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach Mike Macdonald, who was named Michigan's new defensive coordinator on Sunday. We look at Macdonald's career trajectory, lack of experience, expected energy on the recruiting front. We also discuss the context of Jim Harbaugh choosing him over other options, why it's a big swing for the Wolverines and briefly look at year-one expectations.

Then, we switch gears and look at the men's basketball team, which fell to 11-1 with a blowout loss at Minnesota. We discuss Michigan's turnover woes, if the Golden Gophers exposed a blueprint to slowing down the Wolverines' offense, Hunter Dickinson looking human and the bigger-picture impact of the loss. We also discuss if Michigan is still the frontrunner in the Big Ten, among other topics.

Projecting Recruiting Impact of Asst. Coaching Targets - Michigan Recruiting Insider Jan 15, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz are joined by The Michigan Insider's Josh Newkirk for a recap of the Pylon All American. Newkirk highlights the performances of JJ McCarthy, Cristian Dixon, and Junior Colson. Then his attention turn to recruiting rumblings in top targets Domani Jackson, Tyler Morris, and Kaleb Brown... all of whom were at the event. Later Sam, Brice, and Steve address the recent pro-Ohio State buzz with Will Johnson. The trio close out with an in-depth discussion of how the likely hire of Mike Macdonald as Michigan's defensive coordinator will affect recruiting. There's also a breakdown of how some of the position coaching targets could impact the in-state recruiting landscape.

Clark Kellogg: Michigan Looks Like a Contender - Michigan Basketball Insider Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb and Tim McCormick break down Michigan's dominant victories over Minnesota and Wisconsin, the smothering defense the Wolverines have been unleashing, the impressive two-way play of Michigan's wings. College basketball analyst Clark Kellogg joins the podcast to give his thoughts on the Wolverines' rise to prominence, Hunter Dickinson's impact, the team's championship potential, Juwan Howard's coaching and development, and more. The podcast concludes with an in-depth preview of Michigan's rematch with Minnesota and the unveiling of Tim's all-freshman team.

Reacting to Jim Harbaugh's contract extension Jan 09, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss the Michigan football team and Jim Harbaugh agreeing to a five year contract that will extend Harbaugh through the 2025 season.

First we discuss the simple question of if this was the best choice for Michigan. We look at the financial situation behind the extension, why firing Harbaugh and hiring a new head coach may not have been as seamless as many think and what to make of the extended timeline.

Then, we start to dig into the tea leaves presented by the extension. We discuss how we interpret the greatly reduced buyout, why it might point to Michigan and Harbaugh viewing 2021 as the ultimatum year and why Harbaugh might have agreed to it.

Finally, we look at the biggest question mark of it all, and ponder if Harbaugh and Michigan backed into the deal, and if they can legitimately be all-in on the extension moving forward, or if there is still tension and discontent on either side.

Inside Michigan basketball's 10-0 record Jan 08, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we break down the Michigan basketball team’s 10-0 start, including three straight double-digit wins against top-50 opponents.

We begin by taking a look at what has impressed us the most about the Wolverines’ recent wins. We discuss Michigan’s improved defense and Juwan Howard’s adjustments, how bought-in the Wolverines are and how that has translated into into on-court effort.

Next, we discuss players beyond Hunter Dickinson who have stepped up. We take a look at Mike Smith’s value beyond the box score (in addition to box-score contributions), along with Franz Wagner’s emergence into the much-hyped two-way player many had expected entering the season.

We then turn our attention to some bigger-picture discussions. We look at Michigan’s biggest weaknesses, the Wolverines’ staying power atop the Big Ten standings and more.

Franz Wagner Breaks Out; Isaiah Livers Settles into Leadership Role - Michigan Basketball Insider Jan 06, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb and Tim McCormick break down Franz Wagner's breakout showings versus Nebraska, Maryland, and Northwestern, Hunter Dickinson's emergence as one of the best big men in the country, and Michigan's versatility on the wing. Isaiah Livers joins the podcast to discuss his growth as player and leader, his relationship with Juwan Howard, role definition, and more. Then Tim and Sam round out the podcast with previews of upcoming Big 10 match ups with Minnesota and Penn State, a breakdown of Michigan's remaining schedule, and Tim's amended All-Big 10 team.

Reacting to Michigan dismissing Don Brown Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we react to the Michigan football team dismissing defensive coordinator Don Brown, along with takin a look at what's next for the Wolverines' defense.

We begin by discussing our initial reaction to Brown's dismissal — one that is monumental in nature but was not surprising after the Wolverines' 2020 season. We review what went wrong for Brown and Michigan this season and in the past, along with how our impression of Brown changed through the years.

We then turn our attention to what's next for Michigan, taking a look at some early candidates who stand out to us, what traits the Wolverines should prioritize in their coordinator search and more. We also take a look at how recruiting plays a role in Michigan's decision, both with the 2021 class and beyond.

Finally, we close by looking at what kind of job a new defensive coordinator would be walking into. We assert that the Wolverines were likely to improve defensively in 2021 regardless of who their defensive coordinator was, but why it's paramount for Michigan to hire someone who has worked with talented players and won at big schools in the past.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected