Ben Herbert shares insight on Michigan strength and conditioning: 'Whatever we gotta do, that's what we gotta do'

Michigan Wolverines football head strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert and his staff were featured on the latest episode of U-M’s ‘Michigan Made’ series. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has described Herbert as the program’s “secret weapon” and the weight room as the Wolverines’ “center for player development.” The video shows ample insight into those two things.

“When it’s time to compete, be ready to compete,” Herbert told the Michigan team as shown on the video. “It doesn’t matter what the challenge, doesn’t matter what time of day, what the weather’s like, how long it’s gonna take. Whatever we gotta do, that’s what we gotta do.”

Added Herbert, later in the video: “Every day, we’re working to be the best version of ourselves, and to be the best Michigan football team — Team 144 — that we can be. Make no mistake.”

Many Michigan players since Herbert was hired in 2018 have raved about how he and his staff have transformed their bodies and minds.

“Ultimately, if you give us your time and energy in the training environment at Michigan, it will improve your capabilities to play the game of football at a higher level,” Herbert stated.

Here are some more of the best quotes from episode two of ‘Michigan Made’:

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On the Michigan strength and conditioning process

• Herbert: “Our mission as a strength and conditioning staff is to take the young men that we work with from where they are to where they are capable of being, mentally and physically, through training on a daily basis.”

• Junior RB Donovan Edwards: “Coach Herb, he’s involved with everybody, regardless if you’re high on the depth chart or you’re the lowest guy. He’s always going to give you the absolute best work, to make you a better player and even a better man.”

• Sophomore DT Mason Graham: “Probably one word I would describe him as is consistent. He is so consistent. He’ll get us right every time. You know you’re gonna get worked every day.”

• Herbert: “My goal for our team is to make sure there is a level of preparation in place to beat Michigan State, beat Ohio State, win the Big Ten championship and win a national championship. Plain and simple. Everything that we do is driven by those four goals. Yeah, my job is incredibly fun.”

• Edwards: “The reason why we have our success is because of the strength and conditioning staff.

• Senior DT Kris Jenkins: “The strength staff we have here is unlike anything else at any other program. Every single day is insane, and we love that.”

• Graduate OL Trevor Keegan: “I love when we start a new training cycle, because that means that you’re just lifting, conditioning and being with the guys in the weight room. It can be a little interesting in there — you never know what you’re going to get into — but it’s a blast, no doubt.”

• Herbert: “Everything is graded in our training environment — A+, A, B+, B, C, D or F. All guys have different strengths and weaknesses. It’s our job to identify what they need and then, through training, give them what it is they need.”

• Senior EDGE Jaylen Harrell: “This staff does a great job of just honing in on key things, making you more explosive, more flexible, stronger, faster — all of the things that translate to the field.”

• Keegan: “Coach Herb is a big advocate for playing mind games with us, trying to break us down during workouts.”

• Herbert: “I always look to agitate them, sometimes verbally, or I’ll find creative ways just to put them in a situation that they weren’t anticipating. These interactions play a role in making sure guys are mentally and physically sharp.”

On Michigan’s nutrition

• Senior RB Blake Corum: “The nutritionists — Abigail [O’Connor] and her staff — [do a] phenomenal job. They know what you need. I’m trying to get cut up. This is the most I’ve weighed, and I feel strong. Whatever they’re doing is good. Best believe I’ll be back better than ever.”

• Herbert: “When you get those things dialed in, it will impact the result of your training significantly, which carries over to improving performance in a positive way.”

On Michigan leadership

• Herbert: “One of my jobs is to make sure that guys understand that being a leader is not just getting in front of the group and making sure everyone hears your voice. We talk about often, talk is cheap. We are not interested in what you have to say until we see how you conduct your business.”

• Senior EDGE Braiden McGregor: “You have to go in win the mindset every day that, I’m getting better, I’m listening to these coaches. I’m not gonna just think, ‘Oh, it’s a Tuesday at 6 a.m., I’m not gonna go hard or I’m tired.’ Come in every day willing to work, willing to learn — and if you do that, you’re really going to see yourself blossom.”

• Jenkins: “Coach Herb has a statement, ‘Let your actions speak so loudly that I can’t hear what you’re saying.’ They have shaped us into the men that we are today, not only physically, but mentally. And they’ve taught us to be attentive to details, have passion in everything that we do, regardless of how we’re feeling. They want us to succeed in all aspects — not just in the weight room, not just on the football field. But going to class — everything. That’s what makes them the best strength staff in the country.”