Michigan spends but recruiting is relationships

Ann Arbor — In the ever-changing college football landscape, the head coach’s job also continues to evolve due to NIL and, soon, revenue sharing.

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore recently said in a local television interview with WXYZ’s Brad Galli that 50% of the workday consists of NIL. Michigan is on the bye and the 5-5 Wolverines will face Northwestern on Saturday in their final home game of the season, but much of his weekly news conference Monday focused on where he and the program stand in the NIL.

Moore explained that most of his time in the NIL was focused more on squad management, where general manager Sean Magee was also significantly involved.

“It’s less about NIL, more about how we do it, who we hire, more about recruiting than anything else,” Moore said of his day-to-day duties. “And he’s texting the kids. Talking to parents. Continue building those relationships by talking to the brother, the sister, the child, the teacher, the high school coach. So when the kids come here, I know everything about them, and they know everything about me. And then, when I try to push them to the level where we succeed, they know that I do it out of love, out of concern, and in their best interest. Indeed, most of my days are filled with it.”

With the early signing period approaching in two weeks, Michigan’s 2025 class is currently ranked No. 14 by the 247Sports Composite. There’s been a lot of interest in Michigan over the last few weeks and they’re clearly willing to commit big money. Trying to catch guy #1, Bryce UnderwoodBelleville’s five-star quarterback committed to LSU Since January 6th.

Donor support is part of Michigan’s recruiting pitch, particularly Underwood’s pursuit.

“It’s part of football now, isn’t it?” Moore said. “NIL is part of the recruitment process, so it was a big part of this. “We continue to strive to get the best players available to us and the best players we can get, and we’re getting the support we need to do that.”

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel appeared on the internal Conqu’ring Heroes podcast on Oct. 15 and publicly pushed for donor support for the athletic department and NIL.

“I encourage our fans who are interested in supporting our student-athletes, supporting Michigan athletics and our programs to participate and support,” Manuel said last month. “Times have changed. We need to get over the fact that we are uncomfortable paying or giving money to our student-athletes. “That day is over, it’s long gone, and it’s time for us to support our student-athletes.”

Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said the program’s recruiting approach in 2022 is focused on being transformational rather than transactional. Moore acknowledged that this had not changed, but that the transactional aspect was certainly emphasized without compromising the transformational importance.

“Because it’s part of college football and recruiting now,” Moore said. “You still have to have the attitude that you want to come to Michigan to grow into something bigger than yourself. The support you receive from supporters isn’t always just financial. It’s getting guys into a position, whether it’s an internship or different things, to make sure you have a goal that you want to do.

“Football will not be here forever. What can we do to help you achieve this goal? This support also plays a big part.”

Moore said he wasn’t much involved in discussing money with recruits. His involvement is mostly for the purpose of building relationships with players.

“It’s a conversation and it’s essentially ‘How much can you get me?’ nothing like that,” Moore said Monday of how early the new hires were collecting the money. “It’s just part of the conversation in college football now. We trust that’s not really what you’re talking to me about. I’m actually talking about the football aspect of football, what we can do, what the university can do, what our graduates can do, the education you will receive, because football will be over and you will receive a great education. . A lot of our recruits here really value that.”

For some players, discussing too many numbers can be a problem for cohesion in the locker room, but senior leader TJ Guy said Monday that players are always happy with their teammates’ success.

“We don’t count pockets or anything like that. “I don’t think that happens,” Guy said. “If a guy can make a lot of things go right for him, we’re always happy to make that happen for him.”

Moore said the goal is to spread the wealth among players.

“When it comes down to it, we want everyone to eat, and everyone is going to get by,” Moore said. “They all get what they deserve. We have a great system and… I’m letting it go.”

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