Michigan football players say staff unity kept team together

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — There's been a lot of public drama surrounding Michigan football as of late, ranging from Sherrone Moore's indiscretions, the search to hire his replacement, and the preparation for a bowl game while everything was in flux. And while the top of the line was highly in focus the past two and a half weeks, the players were somewhat forgotten about.

It was those actually putting on the winged helmet who were affected the most, and the assistant coaches also have been somewhat left in the lurch. Yet, according to acting head coach Biff Poggi earlier in the week, the team is having fun again, rebounding from the mess that Moore had created.

Even so, the players haven't been immune to all of the noise out there, all of the program criticism. But the staff — many of whom aren't likely to be retained by new head coach Kyle Whittingham — have focused on the players, working to ensure that everyone sticks together.

"It's kind of been a rollercoaster of emotions, to be honest with you," sophomore linebacker Cole Sullivan said. "I'm just happy to have this staff around us, this group of guys to lean on and help us get through everything.

"I think it's just the relationship that we have with the staff — we just see how much they care about us, how much trust we have in them, and how much trust they have in us. So I think that's the reason why."

There hasn't been the predicted wave of transfers or bowl game opt-outs. Though the former could certainly happen come January 2, it hasn't yet, and the full complement of players have made their way to Orlando for the Texas game (minus the three publicly stated opt-outs from last week).

But why has the team galvanized amid the chaos? What's kept them still moving in the same direction, not looking out for themselves but for each other instead?

Sullivan says that a me-first mentality (despite the actions of the former head coach) is still the mantra inside Schembechler Hall. So there was no thought that everyone was going to dissipate or go their own way, even amid the turmoil that came from Moore's actions.

"I feel like you could either go one of two ways, you know. You could stay together or break apart," Sullivan said. "And we dang sure didn't want to break apart. So that was really the only choice we had. And just the camaraderie we have in the locker room. We always tell each other we love each other. And so it's not something we just say. We actually mean it."

The team is getting ready to meet their new head coach later on Saturday, as Whittingham makes his way to Orlando. Sullivan isn't exactly aware of what he brings to the table, but like the rest of the team, he's excited to learn more and hear about his intended direction of the program.

"Not a whole lot. I didn't know too much about him," Sullivan said. "I wasn't recruited by him a whole lot. And so I really just know what I've seen on social media. So very excited for the opportunity to meet him and see what he has to say."

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football players rally amid chaos before Citrus Bowl

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos