In the Trenches: Clinkscale Says Bond with Players Key to His, Team Success
6/17/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football, Features
In this week's edition of the "In the Trenches" podcast, Jon Jansen speaks with the newest member of the Wolverines coaching staff defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale. He discusses the process of taking the job here with Michigan, his acclimation process into the program, and how to work with and develop those around him in the program.
By Brian Boesch
Oftentimes, a coaching staff change in college football -- and throughout sports, in general -- is viewed as a simple transaction. For Michigan's football program, Mo Linguist's departure to take the head coach position with Buffalo did lead to the hiring of Steve Clinkscale as the new defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Clinkscale does not look at this situation, or his role in the program or within the sport, so specifically. He comes into this position, as he left his most recent role at Kentucky, with a much broader approach.
"This is not just about football for me. I don't do this for football. I do this for the relationships with the players," Clinkscale told Jon Jansen on this week's edition of the "In the Trenches" podcast. "I played my hardest when I loved the guy I played for, when I wanted him to be successful, and I believe players do that all the time."
What do those relationships require to be successful? Clinkscale offered a baseline approach.
"Treat people how you want to be treated, and be transparent and honest with people as much as you possibly can," he said. "I've always done that. My players have always understood where I stood -- the coaches, all the guys that I've worked with."
Clinkscale did admit that it was difficult leaving his former players at Kentucky, an up-and-coming program with which he spent five seasons. Before Clinkscale arrived, the Wildcats had not been to a bowl game since 2010. In those five seasons, Kentucky reached a bowl game in every season, including three consecutive bowl victories from 2018-20. Despite all of that, his former players were thrilled for him.
"My players (at Kentucky) actually were very supportive of it, and they understood, and they support me, just like I support them," Clinkscale said.
Over the next few months, Clinkscale will strive to make a similar connection with the Wolverines. Ultimately, it is not about him or any individual person. He will focus on the team as a whole.
"What you do on that field affects everybody on this team," Clinkscale said. "You put on that jersey every day. You put that helmet on every day. You're one of mine. You're one of Coach Harbaugh's. Everything we do is important. I don't care if you're a walk-on to a scholarship guy -- a senior to a freshman. Everything we do is important. We all will be held to that standard, and we're going to be honest with one another, and we're going to praise each other when we do things well and correct each other when we need correcting."
That is the long version. Let Clinkscale summarize his message succinctly.
"I'm honest, and I'm humble. I teach my players to be the same."
