Kornacki: Drevno to Michigan Makes Perfect Sense
1/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Tim Drevno says being Michigan's offensive line coach as well as its new offensive coordinator makes perfect sense.
"I believe that any great football team has a great offensive line and a great defensive line," said Drevno. "That's the foundation of your team right there.
"Everybody wants to be Tyrone Wheatley or Desmond Howard on offense at Michigan. Nobody says, 'Let's get in the middle of the street and push this car with a wide base down the road.' But that's what offensive linemen do, and that's huge to the success of a team."
Drevno, 45, reuniting with Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh comes as no surprise. Drevno has been with Harbaugh at each of his stops with the San Francisco 49ers, Stanford and the University of San Diego.
Last year, Drevno broke a string of 11 consecutive seasons with Harbaugh to become the offensive line coach and running game coordinator for Southern Cal, which averaged 35.8 points per game and finished 9-4 with a Holiday Bowl win over Nebraska.
"I had an opportunity to take on more responsibility at USC," said Drevno, "and whatever takes you out of your comfort zone makes you better."
It prepared Drevno for taking responsibility for the entire offense at Michigan, which finished next-to-last in Big Ten scoring with 20.9 points per game. Drevno said he'll keep the Wolverines in a pro-style offense and likes the attitude he's sensed in initial meetings with his new players.
"These guys have a want-to (attitude)," said Drevno. "They are intelligent and want to be leaders. They have the chemistry necessary to be exceptionally good."
Drevno has gotten results wherever he's coached.
Forty-Niners tackle Joe Staley and guard Mike Iupati were Pro Bowl selections in 2013, and USC center Max Tuerk was an All-Pac 12 first teamer. Stanford center Chase Beeler was a first team All-American in 2010.
Drevno was the offensive line coach at Stanford and San Francisco, and he was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at San Diego. His Toreros twice led the nation in total offense and were selected NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major national champions in 2005 and 2006. And he mentored three future NFL players -- Jake Scott, Rick Demulling and Patrick Venzke -- as the offensive line coach at Idaho, 2000-02.
Harbaugh first hired Drevno off his Idaho coaching performance.
"Jim has been a tremendous leader wherever we've gone," said Drevno, "and I have the ultimate respect for him as a man and a husband. Jim has tremendous values, and I love his competitive fire. You come to the office each day, and he brings out the best in you. I'm privileged to have a relationship with him as a coach and a friend."
Relationships are at the core of everything Drevno does as a coach. When asked what he does best, he said, "Building relationships with my players and getting the most out of them. I take to heart that we are their fathers away from home.
"And we want to make them the best players they can be. I want them to be at the top of their craft."
Drevno's Stanford offensive lines exemplified that best. The Cardinal set a school rushing record in 2009 and ranked second in the nation in fewest sacks allowed in consecutive seasons.
When asked for the keys to eliminating sacks, Drevno said, "You not only need great blocking protection, but a great passing game with the ball getting out on time. And at Stanford, we were fortunate to have Andrew Luck at quarterback. He would make a play where there was no play to be made."
Michigan will be replacing senior quarterback Devin Gardner. His backup, Shane Morris, and redshirted freshman Wilton Speight (6-foot-6, 234 pounds) are in the running. And incoming freshman Alex Malzone, a four-star recruit from Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) Brother Rice who enrolled this week and will take part in winter conditioning and spring practice, also has a shot.
Asked about the quarterback situation, Drevno said, "There will be tremendous competition when we roll the balls out."
Drevno has first-hand knowledge of new tailback Ty Isaac, who sat out this season after transferring from Southern Cal and was a second-team pick on the USA Today's All-American team as a senior at Joliet (Ill.) Catholic. He had 40 carries for 236 yards and two touchdowns for the Trojans as a freshman in 2013.
"Ty Isaac is a big running back (6-3, 225 pounds), and you need big running backs," said Drevno. "He has tremendous potential to be a very, very good back. He has very good instincts and gets yards after contact. He's lost as few pounds and looks great. I'm looking forward to plugging him in there."
Derrick Green, De'Veon Smith and Drake Johnson (recovering from another anterior cruciate ligament knee surgery) each had their moments in 2014 and also return at tailback.
The entire offensive line, anchored by center Jack Miller, returns intact. That has Drevno excited.
"There's a lot of clay to be molded there," said Drevno, who was an offensive lineman at Cal State-Fullerton in 1989 and 1990. "I can't wait to step into the room and lead all of these returners on the line. I want to build a brotherhood in the room so that the offensive line starts to take control of the room.
"The common thread to all great linemen is a want-to, toughness, smarts and all the intangibles. They have foot quickness and good ankle flexion."
Michigan has produced 61 All-America offensive linemen, and 35 of them have come since Bo Schembechler became the head coach in 1969. Retired offensive line coach Jerry Hanlon, 83, developed the majority of those players for Schembechler and then Gary Moeller, beginning with Dan Dierdorf and continuing with two-time All-Americas John "Jumbo" Elliott and Greg Skrepenak.
"I absolutely love Coach Hanlon," said Drevno. "I met him years ago at an all-star game in Las Vegas. Jack Harbaugh (Jim's father) introduced me to him. Jerry's got some great stories, great accomplishments and is one of my favorites. He's seen it all, and I'll definitely look forward to picking his brain."
Drevno understands the tradition and accepts the mission ahead. He's striving to get the Wolverines' offense back on top.
• Drevno Named U-M's Sanford Robertson Offensive Coordinator
