JOSH GATTIS

Michigan’s football program has just six commitments in its 2023 recruiting class, but activity is expected to pick up heading into spring and summer. One of the Wolverines’ top targets in the 2023 class is Miami (Fla.) Gulliver Prep four-star receiver Jalen Brown. SIZE: 6-foot-1, 160 poundsTHE BATTLE: Not surprisingly, Brown is one of the most coveted recruits in the country, boasting 34 reported offers. “The year before, everybody was like ‘Oh, they’re trash, Michigan this, Michigan that.’ But it was a COVID year. Has also gotten better and better at taking on defenders and making contested catches.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Jim Harbaugh’s assistant coaches at Michigan all received new contracts with pay raises in recent months, making Sherrone Moore and first-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter the highest-paid on staff. Weiss, meanwhile, signed a new three-year contract on Feb. 24 that boosted his pay from $600,000 to $850,000 per year, with identical performance bonuses. The duo have a tall task ahead of them following the abrupt departure of Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, whose pay topped $1 million annually. • Running backs coach Mike Hart signed a new two-year contract on Feb. 22 that will pay him $550,000, up from the $430,000 in 2021. Michigan is coming off a successful 2021 season in which it finished 12-2, won the Big Ten championship and earned a College Football Playoff berth.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Jim Harbaugh has preached collaboration among his coaches for years now at Michigan, and the 2022 season is going to be no different on offense. This year, Moore — who earned the co-coordinator title last year, but didn’t call any plays — will tag team everything with Weiss, Michigan’s quarterbacks coach, to help revamp the Wolverines’ offense. “Just because we know each other,” said Moore, Michigan’s offensive line coach, told reporters last Wednesday. “When you watch the tape, the first thing that you’d say is, ‘Wow, that is a great offense,’” Weiss said. “We set records and for Michigan, it was a historically great offense.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will enter the 2022 season with new offensive and defensive coordinators. While there has been frequent turnover on Harbaugh’s staff during his seven-year Wolverines tenure, the 58-year-old hasn’t recycled through many coordinators. But with defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald departing for the Baltimore Ravens after one season and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis leaving for Miami after three seasons, Harbaugh has two crucial holes to fill on his staff.

In a stunning Sunday morning departure, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, who turned heads in December with his tear-eyed Broyles Award speech thanking Jim Harbaugh for taking a chance on him, left Ann Arbor to become the new offensive coordinator at the University of Miami. In an interview with The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Gattis offered a half-hearted endorsement of Michigan, saying: “It had to be something special to get me to leave something special. Instead, it would suggest, that somehow Gattis got word that he wasn’t in Michigan’s long-term plan if Harbaugh had departed for the NFL. But the way the last four weeks played out, it sounds, had a lasting effect on the way Michigan viewed Gattis and the way Gattis viewed Michigan. Continuity (or lack thereof) has been a trouble spot over the years for Harbaugh and Michigan, which find themselves in a familiar predicament.

Miami is hiring Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis to run new coach Mario Cristobal's offense with the Hurricanes.

Miami is hiring Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis to run new coach Mario Cristobal's offense with the Hurricanes.

Josh Gattis, Michigan’s offensive coordinator and college football’s assistant coach of the year in 2021, is leaving Ann Arbor. In a stunning Sunday morning move, Gattis has reportedly accepted an offer to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Miami, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed, but Miami had been targeting Gattis, 38, over the weekend, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports. Gattis spent three seasons at Michigan, where he was a Broyles Award finalist this year. Refresh the page for updates on this breaking story.

Each assistant coach has a clause in his employment agreement stipulating their eligibility for a bowl bonus. More: Harbaugh, assistants due more than $2M in bonuses for Big Ten title runA win in the national championship game would increased the bonus amount again, to $100,000. You can see a full breakdown of Michigan’s bowl bonus structure below in the chart below:The 2021 Michigan athletic-department sponsored bowl bonus plan. When you factor all of that in, Macdonald was Michigan’s highest-paid assistant coach in 2021. + Jim Harbaugh was not eligible for in this bowl bonus plan.

Michigan football has a new potential right-hand man for Josh Gattis. Kirk Campbell, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach the last two seasons at Old Dominion University, has been hired to join the Wolverines’ coaching staff as an offensive analyst. Before his time at ODU, an FBS school that played in the Myrtle Beach Bowl in 2021, Campbell was an offensive analyst for three seasons at Penn State. His first season in State College, 2017, overlapped with Gattis, Michigan’s current offensive coordinator and receivers coach. Colson’s 61 tackles ranked fourth on the team, who went 12-2, claimed a Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff berth.

Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis watches a third down in the fourth quarter of their Big Ten football game against Wisconsin at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, on Saturday, November 14, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

The Georgia Bulldogs shattered the glass slipper of the Michigan Wolverines Cinderella season with a 34-11 demolition on New Year’s Eve in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl inside Hard Rock Stadium.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL, USA -- Doug Lesmerises and Shehan Jeyarajah have been talking about the College Football Playoff since July, and now it’s time for them to make their picks for the semifinals in the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl. They are joined on The College Football Survivor Show by Tyler Shoemaker at the start of the show to talk about the betting lines, with Alabama favored by 13.5 over Cincinnati and Georgia favored by 7.5 over Michigan. And then it’s on to their picks and their reasoning, and some attempted explanation of why Doug is the way he is. Thanks for listening to The College Football Survivor Show. Previous episodes of The College Football Survivor ShowDeep dives on the two semifinalsThe playoff is set

DANIA BEACH, Fla. -- After Michigan beat Iowa in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 4, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis wouldn’t have minded a short turnaround before the Wolverines next took the field. The team dominated the Hawkeyes 42-3 to extend its win streak to five, and it also was its third straight game scoring more than 40 points.

Jim Harbaugh leaned on advice from his brother nearly a year ago when he was looking for a new defensive coordinator at Michigan and ended up hiring Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach Mike Macdonald.

3 Georgia are in South Florida ahead of Friday’s Orange Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal. Wolverines offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and several players spoke to media Monday, but all Orange Bowl news conferences are now virtual because of COVID-19 concerns. The bowl also made a last-minute decision Monday to close Michigan and Georgia practices to the media. MORE: Orange Bowl area a ‘hot spot’ for COVID-19 as Michigan and Georgia prep for playoffAlabama exploited Georgia’s stingy defense. Josh Gattis adjusts play calls to personnel, creating a winning formula for MichiganMichigan RB Blake Corum ‘finally back,’ recovered ahead of Orange BowlWith Michigan football in CFP, broadcast duo set to sign off one last time

Nowadays, the Michigan head coach has reentered the college football lexicon for another, perhaps better reason: Winning. They won their first Big Ten championship as a program since 2004, well before Harbaugh arrived on the scene. If Michigan was going to make any inroads on the success they had built in Harbaugh’s first six years, a change near the top was required. Not only did Michigan ditch the traditional 4-3 front defensively, but Mike Macdonald and co. had no issue being aggressive — switching alignments and introducing a 4-2-5 base look into the playbook. In a way, this year was the perfect storm for Harbaugh and Michigan, two parties that were at a crossroads just 12 months ago.

At the time, Gattis admitted to missteps last season as the play caller, saying the offense didn’t run the football enough. “That’s just how we play football around here. A slight deviation of the spread offense that Gattis envisioned when he arrived in Ann Arbor nearly three years ago. More: Michigan RB Blake Corum ‘finally back,’ recovered ahead of Orange BowlWhat did Michigan and its offense do? I feel like coach Gattis comes up with great plans, great ways to get everyone the ball.

Georgia's defense was nearly invincible for three months, allowing less than a touchdown per game.

DANIA BEACH, Fla. – Through Georgia’s first 12 games this season, no opponent had scored more than 17 points against the Bulldogs’ stingy defense. But then came the Southeastern Conference championship against Alabama, where the Crimson Tide exploited Georgia’s vaunted defensive unit, racking up a whopping 536 yards of offense in a 41-24 victory. 3 Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31 with a spot in the national championship on the line. Hey, Alabama gave us the blueprint, let’s just do exactly what ‘Bama did, because that’s not their identity. 2 (Corum), let’s put nine guys in the box.”Michigan receiver Mike Sainristil said he is confident in the team’s offensive game plan against Georgia, especially after watching the Alabama game.

Georgia’s defense was nearly invincible for three months, allowing less than a touchdown per game.

DANIA BEACH, Fla. — Perhaps no one on the Michigan football team benefitted more from the long layoff between games than Blake Corum. The Wolverines’ junior running back said Monday that he “feels great” and that his sprained ankle “is finally back” ahead of Michigan’s Orange Bowl game against Georgia on Dec. 31 (7:30 p.m., ESPN). “I feel like I have my cutting ability, my speed — my tackling speed — (and) my burst,” Corum told reporters Monday morning. “I feel like I have all of that back.”Whether that’s true remains to be seen, but having a healthy Corum would give the Michigan backfield a much-needed boost. “We’re excited to finally see him at full speed, Blake Corum.

3 Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31 (7:30 p.m., ESPN), and did his best to summarize the all-or-nothing stakes up for grabs. Everything culminated on Dec. 4 in Indianapolis, where Jim Harbaugh’s team completed the unexpected and beat Iowa to win the Big Ten championship. More: U-M football stays vigilant during latest COVID-19 Omicron surge“You can look at in phases,” Johnson said. “If you just take care of each day, you’re not really surprised by the work that you put in,” Johnson said. “It’s gotten to the point where you put yourself in that dark place where you can’t be thinking about the future,” Johnson said.

The Michigan Wolverines and the Georgia Bulldogs will face off at the Capital One Orange Bowl of the College Football Playoff semifinal inside Hardrock Stadium on Dec. 31. 2021.

The Michigan football program will soon lose one of its key behind-the-scenes coaches this week, and to a familiar face. Steve Casula, a senior offensive analyst on Jim Harbaugh’s staff since 2019, has been hired for an on-field coaching role at the University of Massachusetts. Casula was announced Saturday morning as the program’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Don Brown, the former Michigan defensive coordinator who was introduced as UMass head coach earlier this month. He recently hired another former Michigan analyst, Keith Dudzinski, who followed Brown to Arizona, as UMass’ defensive coordinator. He was hired shortly thereafter by Michigan, who brought on Gattis to revamp a sluggish and underwhelming offense for the 2019 season.

Michigan football received five new commitments in one day Wednesday, boosting its 2022 recruiting class into the top 10 during the early signing period.

Jim Harbaugh and two of his top assistants are in line for more than $2 million in bonuses thanks to Michigan’s run to the Big Ten championship. Harbaugh, who signed a new five-year contract in January that docked his annualized base pay, has earned bonuses totaling $1.575 million so far. More: Jim Harbaugh to redirect bonus money to U-M athletic department workers who took pay cutMeanwhile, both of Michigan’s coordinators are also set to cash in on Michigan’s success this season. That brings Macdonald’s compensation to $1,350,000 with his $1 million base salary factored in. No other assistant collected bonus pay for Michigan’s remarkable run to the College Football Playoff, although most will be eligible for an athletic department-sponsored bowl bonus program.

The Michigan football team won’t take the field again until Dec. 31, but there is still plenty of news surrounding the program. We’ve got it all covered on the latest episode of the Wolverine Confidential podcast. We start with a discussion of the two recent commitments to the program. The other was listed with the 2020 class, but will finally start his college career next season. Just this week, Aidan Hutchinson was named the country’s top lineman (offense or defense) and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis was tabbed as college football’s top assistant coach.

Michigan offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Josh Gattis has won the Broyles Award given to the nation’s best assistant college football coach.

Not only can Michigan claim to be the best team in the Big Ten, but Jim Harbaugh can now claim to have the best assistant coach in the country. Josh Gattis, the program’s offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, was announced as the Broyles Award recipient on Tuesday during a ceremony in Little Rock, Ark. More: Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson a Heisman Trophy finalistBefore arriving at Michigan, Gattis had never been a play caller. Gattis is the second Michigan assistant coach to win the award since it was introduced in 1966, joining Jim Herrmann (1997). HARBAUGH, HUTCHINSON FINALISTS: Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was named one of 13 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award on Tuesday.

The Michigan Wolverines are Big Ten champions for the first time since 2004 after a dominating 42-3 win over Iowa on Saturday in the title game. Michigan is now headed to the College Football Playoff, but first, here is our stock report from Saturday’s game. STOCK UPThird-down defenseMichigan’s defense was exceptional on third down, allowing just five conversions on 19 attempts. Michigan didn’t have many offensive standouts Saturday, but it incorporated nearly everyone in its game plan. He had a sack for 10 yards in the second quarter that led to a three-and-out and also finished with four tackles and two quarterback hurries.

There’s a reason why junior Mike Sainristil has played more than all but one receiver this season. Henning was able to turn the corner and pick up 9 yards thanks to a block from Sainristil. Other than just being just an awesome football player, he’s a really positive energy in the locker room. What he brings to us as an offense is, he’s a receiver who’s playing to block. He’s a great player and as his role continues to grow.

When Josh Gattis and Michigan’s offense began preparing for Ohio State during the offseason, they made a strong commitment to running the football. Jim Harbaugh’s team not only snapped a program-defining eight-game losing streak to Ohio State, but clinched a berth in the Big Ten championship game in the process. “We were going to dominate both fronts,” Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said Monday night on the “Inside Michigan Football” radio show. They’re a good team — they’re a good team. They’re a finesse team; they’re not a tough team.

“Back in spring ball, that was something we felt we could do,” Harbaugh said after Saturday’s win. And that’s just not Michigan football.”Before Saturday, Ohio State boasted the second-best rushing defense in the Big Ten, a unit that only allowed 102.3 yards per game. “It was dominant on the offensive line, no question about it,” Harbaugh said. In a previous interview earlier this year, Moore, the first-year offensive line coach, described a unit that played with a physical identity. “We’ve been able to run the ball on a lot of teams that other teams haven’t been able to.

OSU (10-2, 8-1) had won the past eight meetings and 15 of the previous 16 entering Saturday. The senior tied a program record with five rushing touchdowns, including the final one that gave Michigan a 42-27 lead with 2:17 remaining. On Michigan’s final touchdown drive, he carried on all five plays, totaling 63 yards. He created havoc all game long in OSU’s backfield and recorded three sacks, breaking the Michigan single-season record of 12. Michigan’s only fourth-down stop came on OSU’s final possession, when it turned the ball over on downs in the final minute.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan receiver Roman Wilson had a breakout game Oct. 2 against Wisconsin, catching a career-high six passes for 81 yards in a 38-17 win. Junior Cornelius Johnson is the only receiver to lead the team in receiving yards in more than one game this season, while five other receivers have done it once. The eighth-ranked Wolverines (9-1) are one of six Big Ten teams without a receiver with over 500 receiving yards this season. “The one thing I would say we probably haven’t had is the consistency of each game, who’s it gonna be? It’s almost been a different person by different games.

But there was a time earlier this season when Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis was worried about his starting quarterback. It wasn’t flashy enough, they said, and McNamara wasn’t stuffing the stat sheet. And for a coaching staff and program desperate to collect wins and build momentum after a disastrous 2020 season, McNamara has been the perfect player at the right time. Because when folks on the outside weren’t sticking up for him, McNamara had others inside the building who were. “When you put so much pressure on a certain kid, regardless of what they do they can’t be right,” Gattis said.

ANN ARBOR – It didn’t take long for Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson to make an impact against Penn State on Saturday. The high motor Hutchinson plays with on Saturdays is noticeable to the entire college football world, but Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis also sees it every day in practice. “Aidan is the absolute best player in college football,” Gattis told reporters Wednesday. “What Aidan brings to this team is -- I won’t say it’s one person specifically -- but Aidan could have left last year, right?” Gattis said. “Aidan Hutchinson just continues to be relentless,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday.

The numbers are in: Michigan’s win over Penn State on Saturday was the most-watched college football game of the weekend. ESPN says the noon ET kickoff from State College, Pa., drew 5.942 million viewers on ABC, the highest number across any of the major networks. The viewership numbers come just two weeks after Michigan played Michigan State in what turned out to be the most-watched college football game of the season, averaging more than 9.2 million viewers on FOX. BROYLES AWARD: Michigan offensive coordinator and receivers coach Josh Gattis was one of 58 nominees for this year’s Broyles Award, handed out to the nation’s top assistant coach. Gattis, 37, is in his third season at Michigan, which boasts a top-30 offense and rushing attack that ranks 13th nationally.

This sure isn’t “speed in space,” the high-flying, fast-moving spread-based system Josh Gattis advertised when he arrived at Michigan in 2019. A balanced, physical attack led by a pair of running backs, Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins, have helped lead Michigan to a 7-0 start and No. 8 Michigan State (noon, FOX), Gattis said he couldn’t imagine running it any other way. “It’s about featuring our best players,” Michigan’s third-year offensive coordinator said Monday night on the “Inside Michigan Football” radio show. Michigan’s rushing attack ranks fifth in the country at 253 yards per game, while its passing game has floundered.

Michigan football survived its first four games without much of a passing attack, but that plan will have to change if the Wolverines hope to move the ball against Wisconsin.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — While outside observers want to give full credit for Michigan’s fast start offensively to the running backs and offensive line, two key groups, the coaches on staff have gone out of their way in recent days to praise the tight ends. During an this week on WXYT-FM 97.1, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis identified the tight-end position as the biggest surprise. “Our running backs and offensive line get a ton of credit for the production that we’re getting from the run game, but I think our tight ends are right up there,” Gattis continued. And while he started his response with the defense, he quickly moved over the offense, where he gave a pat on the back to the offensive line and tight ends. __________________Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It may have taken a bit longer than some wanted, but Michigan’s passing game came alive on Saturday. The same held true on Saturday against NIU, a team privy to surrendering big plays in the passing game. Post game: NIU coach praises Michigan — ‘Built their team to beat Ohio State’“They had some really great days in practice this week,” Harbaugh said. To see that translate to the game — take that from the practice field to the game — I was really, really happy. While the final four didn’t attempt a pass, McNamara and McCarthy did enough to get the Wolverines to their goal of 200 passing yards.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — If Saturday’s game against Washington felt like a throwback offensive performance from Michigan, well, that’s because it was. Yet every time, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and co-coordinator and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore had an answer. Very impressive.”Everyone who spoke to the media after the game, including Harbaugh, Corum and Haskins, who was eager to move on to the next game, praised Michigan’s offensive line for its improved play and creases formed. Getting back to emphasizing the run game was an important one, paving the way for the playbook to victories in the first two games of this season. We’ll see.”On Saturday, the game plan was a simple one — and Washington had trouble stopping it.

But Saturday’s 8 p.m. showdown against Washington at Michigan Stadium should be a better gauge of how improved the Wolverines are from last year’s 2-4 season. Despite the loss, Michigan is not overlooking Washington. “You can’t worry about what happened last week,” Michigan safety Brad Hawkins said earlier this week. The Wolverines have a lot riding on Saturday’s game, and a win is even more imperative after Washington lost last week. RELATED: Trio of five-stars headline visitor list for Washington gameBuy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

ANN ARBOR – On the eve before preseason camp began last month, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said freshman running back Donovan Edwards would see the field on “day one.”The former top-50 recruit out of West Bloomfield High did. With the Wolverines up big in last Saturday’s season-opener against Western Michigan, Edwards had six carries in the second half for 27 yards. While his stat line wasn’t as impressive as Michigan’s two primary running backs, Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum, Edwards’ performance was encouraging to Michigan coaches. “I think Donovan Edwards is the one who probably impressed me the most,” Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis told reporters Wednesday. He’s gonna have his big plays; his big plays are right around the corner.

Those who follow Michigan football have a good idea of what to expect from players like running back Hassan Haskins and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in 2021. He’s smart, he’s strong, he’s tough, he’s athletic. “It’s been a long process,” Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua said on Wednesday of Smith’s path to being a potential contributor. The junior got his weight back up to around 320 pounds to play on the interior of the defensive line. More Michigan football content:Western Michigan, led by most efficient returning QB in country, visits Michigan for openerMichigan’s new defensive scheme ‘a really good change,’ CB Vincent Gray saysProven legs and intriguing returners: Michigan football special teams previewMichigan football plans to correct Josh Gattis’ biggest regret this fall

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It was a frank admission last month, one that Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis revealed to members of the media and public as his biggest regret. Yes, moving the football and scoring points was an issue at times, but the discrepancy in the rushing numbers bothered Gattis. “We didn’t run the ball enough,” Gattis said in August as Michigan kicked off its preseason camp. A new running backs coach, Mike Hart, was hired and Sherrone Moore was promoted to offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator, a new role that has him more involved with the running game. “I’m very excited about our run game.

Usually during preseason camp, the players Michigan’s football program makes available to the media are experienced veterans on the team. That wasn’t the case Tuesday when tight end Luke Schoonmaker spoke to reporters outside of Schembechler Hall in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines also signed four-star Louis Hansen in the 2021 class, while former offensive lineman Joel Honigford has transitioned to the tight end position during the offseason. Nobody in Michigan’s tight end room has the pedigree of those three, but Schoonmaker believes the current group can have a significant impact in 2021. We’re all making strides in our own way and just encouraging each other.”Michigan College Football Season Kickoff Event: Kickoff the Michigan Football season with MLive’s football insiders Ryan Zuke, Aaron McMann, and Andrew Kahn.

If Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan football team need any more motivation, they could confide in the preseason polls. The Wolverines were absent from the preseason AP Top-25 poll released on Monday, marking the first time the team will begin a football season unranked since Harbaugh’s first in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines were ranked in the AP’s preseason poll in each subsequent year since. The Spartans never appeared in the AP Top-25 poll last year, after finishing the 2019 season unranked with a 7-6 record. Note: MLive’s Aaron McMann is one of two media members from the state of Michigan with a vote in the AP Top-25 poll.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A little bit of the old Jim Harbaugh was present on Friday afternoon, with the Michigan football coach sporting a familiar wardrobe and spouting some of this favorite lines. And while healthy and optimistic, Harbaugh also acknowledged publicly the pressure he faces from the public, especially the Michigan football fanbase. “Guys are knowing what to do.”More: Cade McNamara still leads Michigan’s QB race, but J.J. McCarthy jockeyingMichigan head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks with media Friday outside of Schembechler Hall in Ann Arbor. (Ryan Zuke | MLive.com)Players this offseason have spoken out of a broken culture within the Michigan football program, evident by the disastrous 2020 season finished. There’s plenty of work to do and pressure hovering over the program, something Harbaugh plainly acknowledges.

If there’s one thing Josh Gattis has been consistent about during his tenure at Michigan, it’s been his messaging. Gattis candidly admitted earlier this month that he wished he could have scrapped everything from that 2-4 season. I feel the best about our offensive staff as I’ve ever been. “I think the great thing about coach Gattis is, since I’ve been here, it’s not about him,” Moore said. The trust is there between the staff and Josh, and Josh and the rest of the offensive staff.

Praised for his catch radius and good hands, transfer wide receiver Daylen Baldwin is doing his best to fit in on the Michigan football team just weeks after arriving. And the reports on Baldwin, a transfer from FCS Jackson State, were glowing. “I liked the coaches at Ohio State as well, but Michigan gave me the quickest chance to develop — and quickest chance to play,” Baldwin said. “Big body — and really good hands,” senior receiver Ronnie Bell said. “Very talented receiver.”_________________________Michigan College Football Season Kickoff Event: Kickoff the Michigan Football season with MLive’s football insiders Ryan Zuke, Aaron McMann, and Andrew Kahn.

Several Michigan football players have profited by signing on with interactive video game platform Yoke Gaming and inking deals with The M Den to sell customized jerseys. But as the football team kicked off fall camp last Friday, players say that NIL has not been a distraction as they look to bounce back from a 2-4 season in 2020. Everybody’s bought into Michigan football; everybody’s bought into getting better every single day. “We’re living in a new age, a new time right now in college football,” Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said last week. Uiagalelei and North Carolina quarterback inking deals with Bojangles, a popular fast food restaurant in the southeast, big names in college football are taking advantage of their NLI.

That left Michigan with McNamara, the presumed returning starter, as the leader of an inexperienced quarterback group that combined for just one collegiate start. “Looked around and really liked that (Bowman) had played and played well in games. More: Cade McNamara tops Michigan’s QB depth chart ahead of fall camp“He’s a newcomer, but he’s probably our most veteran quarterback,” Gattis said. “Alan played early, had a ton of success early in his career there at Texas Tech. And to make the climb even higher for Bowman, McNamara was anointed the starter after Michigan wrapped up its spring practice schedule.

Michigan’s true-freshman running back Donovan Edwards impressed coaches in the spring with his work ethic and talent, so much so that he’s worked his way into the depth chart and will be part of the playing rotation on Sept. 4. Last month at Big Ten Media Days, Harbaugh told reporters that “you’ll be seeing Donovan Edwards Game 1″ — a statement backed up Thursday by Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. “Donovan will play Week 1,” Gattis told reporters on Thursday. Edwards played for a state championship in football in late-January, then made the transition to Michigan and the start of spring ball in late-February. And the thing that Donovan understands is that it takes the whole team; it takes a whole team to win a championship.

On Thursday, Michigan football coaches met with media in person for the first time in about 18 months. As the team was set to kick off fall camp on Friday, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald touched on an array of topics inside Schembechler Hall. On the latest episode of “Wolverine Confidential” podcast, MLive’s Ryan Zuke and Aaron McMann discuss their biggest takeaways from Gattis and Macdonald’s comments, including a star in the making on offense, a new offensive identity and more details on Macdonald’s defense. As always, listen below, by clicking here, or anywhere you find podcasts. MORE: Michigan football loses reserve DB ahead of campAs fall camp begins, Michigan football looks to establish ‘PSP’ identity on offenseMichigan football camp preview, Part III: Key additions, position battles to watchMike Macdonald wants new Michigan defense to be a ‘living nightmare’ for opponentsMichigan OC Josh Gattis wants to leave disastrous 2020 season ‘in the past’

Michigan’s football team is looking to establish a new offensive identity this season. “Then we want to be a smart football team. “When you look at the dynamics of our room, we got a lot of different guys with different backgrounds, different experiences,” Gattis said. “Guys bringing new ideas; guys had to come in and learn new ideas, so when you enter that room, the one thing that we have is great chemistry. “This is our offense,” Gattis said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Is the Joe Milton era over before Michigan football even got halfway through a shortened season? Milton was pulled late in the third quarter against Wisconsin with the Wolverines trailing 35-3, and backup quarterback Cade McNamara came in to lead a touchdown drive. Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a second half past against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (2020 Getty Images)On the first play, McNamara fired a strike over the middle to Ronnie Bell for a 23-yard gain. Michigan has insisted McNamara could be a starting caliber quarterback, and he sure looked like it for four plays.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are countless reasons for Michigan football fans to be discouraged after the team’s loss to Michigan State, but here are the six most alarming signs for the future. Ronnie Bell #8 of the Michigan Wolverines fails to receive a pass during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When that changed Saturday against Michigan State, Milton struggled with accuracy down the field. MORE: Can Michigan salvage season after lifeless loss to Michigan State? Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The debut of the 2020 Michigan football team was certainly worth the wait Saturday, as it went into Minneapolis and dominated No. Since Harbaugh returned to Ann Arbor in 2015, Michigan has dominated too many good teams to count on one hand. Sept. 26, 2015: Michigan beats No. Oct. 10, 2015: Michigan beats No. There’s still a long road ahead for this Michigan team.

Michigan and Minnesota haven’t met since 2017, when the Wolverines walloped the Golden Gophers in a weather-delayed, soaking wet night game. Well, I’m about to break down four well-thought-out reasons why Michigan will lose to Minnesota, then I’m going to pick Michigan to win anyway. It’s like Minnesota picked up a “Michigan letdown game” appetizer menu and ordered an entire sampler platter. Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. At times last season, Michigan struggled to get pressure on the quarterback.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are 25 players on the Michigan football roster who received scholarship offers from Minnesota during their recruiting processes. TE Erick AllRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. OL Karsen BarnhartRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. HenningRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. DL Luiji VilainRecruiting profile: 4-star, No.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan and Minnesota both had top-20 football teams last year, but now Jim Harbaugh and P.J. READ: Here’s where 39 Michigan football transfers are playing this seasonAttrition is the theme of every offseason in today’s college football. Both teams are undergoing makeovers this offseason, but it’s pretty clear Michigan is replacing more talent than Minnesota. It’s worth noting that Michigan is inherently going to lose more talent than Minnesota in any given year because of the obvious advantages in recruiting. Michigan is used to replacing NFL talent year-in and year-out, while Minnesota’s 2019 was a bit of a surprise.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – After a long, strange offseason that felt like it would never end, Michigan football is just 10 days away. With 10 days left until the start of the season, here are 10 reasons for Michigan fans to be excited about their team. Joe Milton eraNobody knows if Milton will be successful as Michigan’s starting quarterback, but he sure has all the tools. Road trips to Indiana are never easy, especially in between the Michigan State and Wisconsin games. Fans have waited a long time for Michigan football to return, and as soon as it does, it’ll be pedal to the metal.

In 2019, Michigan got major contributions from true freshmen Daxton Hill, Zach Charbonnet and Giles Jackson. 102 overall player, No. 123 overall player, No. Cornerback is a difficult position to play as a true freshman, but Michigan has a great need there this season. 484 overall player, No.

The Michigan Football Offseason Hype Train is standing room only, and it has a whole month to pick up speed. Like Isaac Newton said: When Michigan football hype is in motion, it stays in motion unless acted upon by a Buckeye, Badger or Nittany Lion. Joe Milton #5 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a fourth quarter touchdown while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If he’s the quarterback who pushes Michigan football over the hump, celebrate him as Maize and Blue confetti rains from the rafters in Indianapolis. Let’s take a step back and let Joe Milton be Joe Milton.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football had a crowded running back room last season, and this year doesn’t figure to be any different as a familiar face and a talented freshman join Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet. Four different players received more than 40 carries for Michigan last season: the aforementioned duo of Haskins and Charbonnet, along with Tru Wilson and Christian Turner. Michigan’s running back depth didn’t take a hit, though. Early last season, Charbonnet was the clear leader, as evidenced by his 33 carries in the double overtime win over Army. If there are any additional reps to go around behind Charbonnet, Haskins and Evans, Corum is the favorite to take them.

Wide receiver attritionIt looks like the Wolverines will be without three of their top four wide receivers from a year ago. That trio, which highlighted the team’s top-five 2017 recruiting class, combined for 96 catches, 1,490 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season. So what would the receiving corps look like if Collins isn’t in the picture? NewcomersNo matter who comes and goes, Michigan is always going to bring in new playmakers at the wide receiver position. They don’t all need to be better than Collins, Peoples-Jones and Black.

14 Michigan looks to continue its upward trajectory when it hosts Michigan State on Saturday in the battle for the Paul Bunyan trophy. LINE: Michigan -13"We know that they're going to treat this like their Super Bowl," Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas told reporters. Michigan State is left to pick up the pieces following an epic collapse in the 37-34 loss to Illinois last week. Michigan State DE Kenny Willekes has 5.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2019. PREDICTION: Michigan 31, Michigan State 17

Nico Collins #4 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his first quarter touchdown with Tarik Black #7 next to Damon Hayes #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Christian Turner #3 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his third quarter touchdown with offensive coordinator Josh Gattis while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Donovan Peoples-Jones #9 of the Michigan Wolverines makes a first quarter catch next to Damon Hayes #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Artur Sitkowski #8 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights is stopped on a fourth down run by Aidan Hutchinson #97 and Brad Hawkins #20 of the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan certainly feels a lot better this week than last, and if it goes on a winning streak, we'll know it started Saturday.

Josh Metellus #14 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michigan Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 20 Michigan looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season when it hosts Rutgers on Saturday. Rutgers is heading in the wrong direction as a 30-16 loss to Boston College in Week 4 dropped Chris Ash's team below .500. "Our mindset is to go play the best football we can regardless of who we play or where we play," Ash told reporters. PREDICTION: Michigan 31, Rutgers 13More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

7 Michigan went on to beat Middle Tennessee 40-21 Saturday night. Michigan made it 40-14 with Dylan McCaffrey's 6-yard run late in the third quarter and Ben Van Sumeren's 1-yard run with 6:37 left. Patterson was 17 of 29 for 203 yards with TD passes to Tarik Black, Nico Collins and Sean McKeon. McCaffrey completed both of his passes for 17 yards and ran for 42 yards along with a score. UP NEXTMiddle Tennessee: Hosts Tennessee State.

Michigan earned a 40-21 win thanks to three touchdown passes from senior quarterback Shea Patterson. "Middle Tennessee (is) one of the nine bowl teams we play this year and I have great respect for them," Harbaugh told reporters. ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (2018: 8-6)Sophomores Asher O'Hara and Chase Cunningham are competing with JC transfer Randall Johnson for the starting quarterback job after Brent Stockstill exhausted his eligibility. Michigan is 10-1-1 against teams from the state of Tennessee. PREDICTION: Michigan 48, Middle Tennessee State 17More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

After losing Chase Winovich, Rashan Gary, Devin Bush and David Long this season, Michigan is hoping for similar results. Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Yes, Michigan needed to make major changes in the offense. Michigan needed to address each of these issues, and it did so with the home run hire of Josh Gattis. Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis (Michigan Football/@UMichFootball)Gattis needs to be good, and it needs to be immediate.

Here's a prediction of what the stats could look like for Michigan's top five wide receivers this season. 1 wide receiver in the 2017 recruiting class, and while he's been a good weapon for the Wolverines, he hasn't been a superstar. Tarik Black2019 stats: Four catches for 35 yardsMichigan football wide receiver Tarik Black makes a catch against Cincinnati (Joe Robbins/Getty Images). 595 player overallMichigan wide receiver Mike Sainristil during his recruiting process (Photo: Mike Sainristil/@MikeSainristil)It feels risky predicting a true freshman to be the No. As an early enrollee, Sainristil has an advantage over a pair of four-star wide receiver commits, Giles Jackson and Cornelius Johnson.