For the past two years, Michigan had issues in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Now, under the tutelage of new Director of Football Sports Performance Doug Elisaia, the football team has gotten back to basics. The football team has returned to weight-room staple lifts, such as the bench press, and others aimed at improving overall team strength. This is part of an ongoing overhaul that Kyle Whittingham has implemented to improve team performance.
Under former head coach Sharrone Moore, baseline numbers were exceptionally low. Moore avoided players doing staple lifts out of a fear of shoulder injuries leading to a lack of body mass in critical areas such as offensive tackle. Under Whittingham, a new, rigorous training regime has been implemented.
Players on the whole have reported highs in lift weights ranging from 100 to 200 lbs. Doug Elisaia is a firm believer in heavy maximum-effort core lifts leading to better strength and conditioning. The new training philosophy should keep players from wearing out in the fourth quarter, which was a big issue under Moore.
The players start pre-train by a specialized soft-tissue work that is aimed at keeping players from injury during bench presses and other lifts. Elisaia is the Director of Football Sports Performance for the Michigan Wolverines and joined the Michigan staff after spending 21 seasons at Utah with Whittingham.
While Michigan will have growing pains under a new coaching staff, they will be better conditioned the entire duration of games, which should help the overall learning. This was a much needed upgrade, as the team had not been strong and struggled to finish games or reclaim leads due to being exhausted as the third quarters came to a close.
