Kirk Campbell intent on tailoring Michigan offense to its personnel
Michigan offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell understands the challenge of replacing multiple starters, including some of the best to ever wear the winged helmet, this year. He also insists the Wolverines have plenty of outstanding talent returning, and he’s intent on using all of it.
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Campbell isn’t certain who the quarterback will be, though Alex Orji will play either there or in another capacity as one of the Wolverines’ best 11 on offense. Running back Donovan Edwards and tight end Colston Loveland will obviously play huge roles as two of Michigan’s better players, but there are several other weapons, too.
“We’ve just got to make sure we get our players the ball with their best attributes,” Campbell said. “We’re standing here looking at [running back] Kalel Mullings. Look at that guy — he’s a mountain of a man. We’ve got to make sure we get him the ball downhill, right? He can scoot on the perimeter, as well. But to get Donovan in space, get [receiver] Semaj [Morgan] in space, those are the nuances we have to get done without losing our identity of being a physical offense.
“The main goal when we suit up on Saturday is you want that defense to fear us and feel us.
Last year, 12 personnel was our best personnel. I’ve got to throw Max Bredeson in there. What he does, he’s dynamic. So, is it going to be 12 personnel, 13, 21, 11? We’ve just got to figure out how to best utilize all of that talent.”
It starts with a revamped offensive line. The Wolverines will have several new starters but plenty of experience up front — Campbell is confident they’ll be outstanding for several reasons.
“No. 1, Sherrone Moore is not leaving the building. He’s still there to help me as a coordinator at the University of Michigan,” Campbell said. “I know I’ve done it in the past, but just giving me some insight. Then Grant Newsome, who is a great coach.
“We don’t have the Zak Zinters, the Trevor Keegans, the Karsen Barnharts. Those nameplates have changed, but we have Gio El Hadi, Jeff Persi … Josh Priebe came through. We have Raheem Anderson, Greg Crippen, Dom Giudice, Myles Hinton. Those guys are really good football players. The name plates change — the mentality, the physicality, the execution has not.”
Nor has the desire to “smash,” he said. The passing game will evolve under his watch, but he understands what Moore wants. He also knows how to deliver.
“I was born in western Pennsylvania. I have a blue-collar mentality,” Campbell said. “Football back when I played was in a shoebox. It was physical, downhill, stop the run, nosebleed, play action pass. I truly feel like that is still the identity you want. You want to run the football first, but you want to complement with great play action pass, great ball control pass game with your skill players.”
He’s got the pieces to do it, he said. He’s anxious to put it on display Aug. 31 when the Wolverines open with Fresno State.
