How Michigan football went above and beyond at 'awesome' coaches clinic

Head man Jim Harbaugh and Michigan Wolverines football held a coaches clinic March 26-27, and it was a valuable experience for both high school coaches and the Maize and Blue’s staff.

Harbaugh welcomed the coaches Saturday evening, which kicked off a series of speakers that included Michigan special teams coordinator and safeties coach Jay Harbaugh, defensive line coach Mike Elston and wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy. Following that, other staff members such as co-offensive coordinators Sherrone Moore and Matt Weiss, running backs coach Mike Hart, tight ends coach Grant Newsome, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale and linebackers coach George Helow participated in breakout sessions where they were able to meet and greet coaches at the high school level.

Michigan analysts and strength and conditioning coaches made presentations Sunday morning, and the coaches in attendance were invited to eat lunch at The Big House and attend practice at Al Glick Fieldhouse in the afternoon.

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The talk from head strength coach Ben Herbert especially resonated with one in attendance, longtime West Bloomfield defensive backs coach Keith Cameron, who worked with Makari Paige, Donovan Edwards and other high-profile athletes during their high school days.

“I wasn’t aware of how many changes have been made, as far as the technology that the kids have and the coaches have, and with the athletes to track their progress and develop their bodies based on the new technologies that they had,” Cameron said.

Cameron noted high schools don’t necessarily have the resources needed to use the same technology as a place like Michigan, but it was reassuring that athletes who play at the next level will have it at their disposal.

The meal times and breakout social sessions were also enjoyable. Football coaching is a fraternity build on camaraderie and sharing ideas, and there was no shortage of collaboration and brainstorming at the Michigan clinic.

“As a coach, you never stop learning,” Cameron, who said he met several different coaches from around the state, noted. “If you come to a point where you think you know it all, that’s when you’re setting yourself up to disaster.

“There’s always something that’s going to change — that’s part of coaching. Like when the pistol first came out or the RPOs [run-pass options] first came out … you have to have someone that can counter those new offenses or new plays.

“There’s always learning to do, learning from other coaches. That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to come — just to see what’s changed.”

Cameron took a liking to Clinkscale and received some good information he may use down the line.

“Sometimes, you can find out something that you didn’t even realize, which I did when I was meeting with Coach Clink,” he explained. “There are some things that we run that Michigan runs. And one way we were covering, they gave me an idea of another way to run something. Which, I had never thought about it that way.

“So there are things that sometimes you think you have it figured out, and then, wow, didn’t realize that; or I didn’t think about it that way. There’s always a revolving door, per se, and if you want to continue to be good at your craft, you always should listen. Even if you don’t agree, just listen, and you may get something out of that conversation.”

Harbaugh has long hosted clinics and attended them, going back to his first days as a head coach at San Diego. The Michigan staff has embraced the opportunities to both teach and learn, too, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed from coaches at the high school level who know what kind of time and effort it takes to put on such an event. The Wolverines went above and beyond.

“I was looking at the coaches list, you had over 140 coaches,” Cameron said. “It’s a good thing that the university does to allow the coaches to come in and watch their practices and talk to their coaches.

“A lot of the coaches, even strength coaches, gave us their phone numbers to stay in touch if we have any questions. The strength and conditioning coach, he was speaking to coaches saying he’s open if they need advice. That open dialogue with your local communities to the university, I think that goes beyond what people may expect.

“I know a lot of people see Michigan and the big schools, and they don’t realize how those guys … the time and effort it takes to get your program together … but when they take their personal time to speak with high school coaches, that goes a long way. I’m sure they’re not in it for media attention, because if you’re not a coach you probably wouldn’t know it happened. But for them to volunteer their time and give their resources to help the local high school coaches, I think that’s awesome.”