Michigan football coaches, players on program turmoil: ‘It sucks’

ORLANDO, FL − Football coaches are notoriously tough to crack.

They often speak in generalities at press conferences, where clichés can be a friend.

It’s all about the team. Focused on what we can control. Keep the main thing the main thing. Excited for the opportunity.

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But every now and then, there’s a needed reminder that these coaches are people, too. Wink Martindale, Michigan football’s elder statesman on the coaching staff and the defensive coordinator for the past two years, is objectively one of the toughest and most well-traveled people in the room. An NFL vet with two decades of experience at the highest level, there’s little in this game he hasn’t seen or been a part of.

The past three weeks, however, would qualify as the rare something new.

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was fired for an inappropriate relationship with a staffer and later jailed. In the blink of an eye, U-M had to try and turn the page to the next chapter.

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Earlier this week, U-M hired Utah’s Kyle Whittingham to be the 22nd head coach in program history. Fans are understandably excited for the future, but Martindale offered a reminder about the sobering toll this entire saga has taken on those inside the program, whose days may be numbered in Ann Arbor.

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“I don’t know if ‘handled it’ is the right word – it’s a tough situation,” Martindale said, starting to tear up. “I know what we signed up for in coaching … but it’s hard because of not only the relationships you have.

“I was just talking to [linebacker Jimmy Rolder] about it: with Twitter and everything else, it’s entertaining for people to see all this. I’m getting emotional talking about it, it’s real life. There’s little ones that have to be up-rooted from school and things like that. It sucks.”

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Whittingham was introduced to the team on Saturday, Dec. 27 and just 90 minutes after Martindale finished speaking as one of four current program members previewing U-M’s Citrus Bowl matchup against Texas on Wednesday, Dec. 31 (3:00 p.m., ABC), the new coach was in a hotel ballroom across the street being introduced.

The dichotomy was stark. The optimism, the vision, the rejuvenated vibes, it was all so different from what those who have spent the last month in Schembechler Hall experiencing.

Running back Jordan Marshall also met with media alongside interim offensive coordinator Steve Casula to discuss how the team has responded. Marshall said “it sucks” having to rebound after losing the team’s leader. He was also asked about how he viewed his future with the program and the opening message his new coach shared.

“Good energy, did what a coach is supposed to say, said the right things and brings the intensity for sure – really like that about him,” Marshall said. “Somebody that when I talk to the guys they’re like ‘this guy seems like he’s gonna be good’ but it’s supposed to be like that after the first impression. For me, I’m going to keep getting to know him, keep getting to know his staff.

“I want to be at Michigan. If everything works out, I want to be here. I love this place, truly.”

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Casula said he’s tried to lead by example, but he’s well aware there will be changes to both the roster and the coaching staff in the coming days and weeks.

Former offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey has already left for Missouri and Whittingham appears close to adding his first defensive member to the staff in BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill.

Despite what seems to be coming down the track, Casula said Martindale have reminded everybody on staff they’re “professionals” and there remains an expectation that U-M is going to go win this game. It’s why everybody is doing their best to put the “human element” to the side and rally together as a group for one last ride.

“I’ve tried on a personal level to practice what I preach,” Casula said. “There’s unknown, all that, sure, all that kind of stuff. But if you get a chance to really know our young people, our players, it’s not difficult to be motivated to go do your best for them.”

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Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football coaches, players on program turmoil: ‘It sucks’