Why Biff Poggi says Michigan football must reevaluate everything

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Whether rightfully or not, Michigan football has been under the microscope since January 2023, when the program was said to be under NCAA investigation for what's now been deemed 'burgergate.' By October of the same year, the Connor Stalions saga started to unfold. And though the Wolverines won the national championship that year, Jim Harbaugh's departure and the promotion of Sherrone Moore didn't quiet skeptics of the program.

After Moore took over, he hired a defensive line coach, Greg Scruggs, who was arrested at the outset of spring ball for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Same thing with Denard Robinson, the former Michigan quarterback who was on staff. Then, Moore was suspended for his deleted texts with Stalions, and ultimately was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with a staffer just 12 days ago.

Acting head coach Biff Poggi says that Michigan football is in need of an exorcism, a complete overhaul with everything evaluated and reevaluated. Whether he's the one to do it or someone else remains moot, in his eyes. Because every year it's something, and it has to stop. And that's been athletic director Warde Manuel's focus in moving the program forward, Poggi says.

"Everything that happens in this building has to be re-evaluated, quite frankly, because it is not up to standard," Poggi said. "The staff has to be re-evaluated, and I mean the coaches, I mean the analysts, I mean everybody in the building — except Dave. But it has to be evaluated. Our strength and conditioning, our nutrition, our medical, everything. Because obviously, it has been five years of — let's just call it a malfunctioning organization where there's something every year. And I know what the athletic director has made very clear. He doesn't want any more of that. 

"And so, if I am named the coach, which again, I don't know if I am, but there will be a massive self-examination of what happens in this building. And you can expect a lot of changes."

Poggi is doing an admirable job of keeping the team together amid the chaos. There's only been one transfer portal departure thus far, and only two signees have gotten out of their NLIs and found other programs.

A big part of moving the program forward, fixing the issues, is resetting everything, being honest, and regaining the trust of those with whom the program is entrusted. That process starts now, with Poggi having those tough conversations with players and parents.

"These are hard talks to have because one thing you have to do with players and their families, the minute they think you're lying to them, it's over," Poggi said. "I believe that's why the portal is so big and it's getting bigger every year, and it will be bigger next year and the year after that and the year after that because kids are told things and their families are told things that aren't true. 

"If I don't know an answer that is asked me from a kid or a parent, I'll tell them I don't know, and I'll do my best to find out. If I do know, I tell it to them whether I think they want to hear it or not. Let's face it, the kids that have been here four and five years with their families, there's been something kind of every year that's been messy. I didn't think of that, and then one of the moms brought that up. Every year, there's been some issue. What are you going to say? No? You're going to say yeah, and we're going to fix it.

"Whoever the next guy in this seat is, his mandate is going to be to fix it. I feel very strongly about that. You've got to be honest with them. If you discount what they say to you, this recruiting class and the kids that are on the team will be playing someplace else. The way we've kept it together is contact. I've been calling the kids, the recruits, the commits, calling them, Zooming with their parents, texting them, and the current players on the roster. I spend an enormous amount of time with them and their parents, as far as Zooms. But the kids in person, the parents in Zooms."

Poggi says that athletic director Warde Manuel told the team this morning that he intends to have a new head coach in place by the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, which takes place on December 31 in Orlando, Florida.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Biff Poggi says Michigan football needs a full internal reset

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