Kornacki: Drevno, Durkin Talk Camp Atmosphere, Developments
8/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A sense of togetherness has developed during Michigan's pre-season football practices unlike anything Wolverine defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin can recall in his previous coaching stops.
"We've been with each other all day, every day," Durkin said Monday (Aug. 24) of the practices that began Aug. 7. "There haven't really been any breaks in the action for them. We're in this building all day either practicing or meeting. We're always doing something together -- coaches and players alike.
"We've got one another. We're in this together, and you've got to be accountable."
Durkin has coached at Florida, Stanford (with Jim Harbaugh), Bowling Green and Notre Dame, but he said nothing in his 14 previous seasons as a full-time coach or graduate assistant compared to this atmosphere.
"It's been unique in a positive way," said Durkin. "Coach Harbaugh thinks outside the box. He's always on the cutting edge with the way he does things and views things. So, a lot of what we do here is different than it's done anywhere else.
"And it's a positive. Our guys are responding really well."
Offensive coordinator Tim Drevno, who coached 11 consecutive seasons under Harbaugh at the University of San Diego, Stanford and the San Francisco 49ers, agreed that the concentrated time together pays dividends.
"When you are around each other, and there is not anyone in the facility," said Drevno, "you can really concentrate on what you have to learn and how you need to do it. You can build a relationship with your coaches and really get to know your teammates and get a trust. It's a real fun time when you do that."
Durkin allowed that dealing with constant demands can be taxing but said the attitude of the players has kept it from getting stunted or stale.
"Our guys enjoy playing with one another -- playing and practicing," said Durkin. "It's been good. But at the beginning of camp, there's no light down the tunnel. We're going to get that now, and we're starting to back off a bit, getting into Utah preparation, and I think they're definitely ready to go."
Excitement is building for the Sept. 3 season opener at Utah.
"It's always fun to try to go play somebody else because you've been playing against one another," said Drevno. "It's just one day at a time right now, but you do sense it."
Drevno wouldn't be pinned down on when a starting quarterback or tailback will be announced. He said "no decision has been made" in regard to naming a No. 1 quarterback. Junior Shane Morris and graduate transfer Jake Rudock from Iowa are battling to start, and the tailback race is more wide open.
The Wolverines had a Saturday night (Aug. 22) scrimmage attended by only students that was helpful in preparing for the night opener in Salt Lake City.
"The biggest positive is that this was the first time we were out with crowd noise," said Durkin. "It was good seeing them communicate on the run. They were helping out, making checks, and they communicated well."
Michigan's development in the secondary is central to the defense going from good to great. Durkin was asked for his observations of his cornerbacks and safeties.
"The best part is we're finding out the competitors," said Durkin. "There's a lot of competition out there, and we put them in a lot of spots where they've got to go show up. We've moved guys around a lot, and you find out the guys who thrive in that kind of environment."
Durkin said that creating position versatility will allow him to employ the "multiple packages" he will utilize. He said it also creates smoother position changes during the season should injuries occur. Durkin noted that having players work at more than one position also allows them to gain a better knowledge of what the player next to them is doing.
Maurice Hurst, a 6-2, 281-pound junior from Westwood, Massachusetts, is one of the defensive linemen stepping up with Bryan Mone lost to injury.
"Mo Hurst is definitely a part of the depth up front," said Durkin. "And he can play anywhere -- inside, outside. And so he's a guy we're counting on."
Durkin also noted that Chris Wormley is being worked at both end and tackle and will be used at both positions. So, versatility is a theme for the defense, which requires that with Durkin employing both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. Durkin said Willie Henry and Mario Ojemudia are among other linemen showing the ability to play anywhere across the line.
Drevno has been impressed with his linemen and receivers.
There is a good mix of experience and outstanding freshmen at the wide receiver positions.
Drevno said: "They have very good speed, good hands; they are disciplined in their routes. I see a lot of positive things -- a lot of guys making great catches and blocking really well."
The offensive linemen have shown progress since spring practices in learning the offense.
"I think they just know where to go," said Drevno. "They are starting to talk and think the same. They're getting a good feel."
