I 'm not known for blowing smoke but listening to 4 of the staff today(Blackwell, Warner,Burton,Dantonio 2x) as well as hearing Vance and Messiah, words can't express how wonderful a staff there is in E.L.
Burton and Warner were great but I listened all day and cant recall everything but the Blackwell and Dantonio interviews really resonated.
First Blackwell: I mention the commits because when hear them you realize how strong is their connection to this staff.
For example, when Vance was interviewed he spoke of how Blackwell knew him from a young age and had his back over the ensuing years and obviously does to this day. You realize how embedded Blackwell is in Detroit youth programs and how he was instrumental in getting SMSB off the ground. You listen to Blackwell speak of MSU , the new facilities, the rest of the staff and of his background, and you can imagine the impact on recruits. Great, great hire.
Then Dantonio , he just has a perfect personality for the job. He is humble and down to earth. He described how he is a small town guy who had to scratch for coaching jobs over 30 years.
He made sure to emphasize, for example, that "selling results not hope" was never intended as a disrespect, but rather the truth with regard to recruiting.
He can be funny but you know he wants to take this program to the next level. He is decisive- listening to his call on the little giants play ,made matter of fact, on the spur of the moment, with full confidence it would work. He described to Ebling how often they had practiced that play and the full confidence he had in the key guys . who executed it.
The best part of the interview was his description of the day at camp, in that it encapsulated all 30 years of his coaching experience. I dont recall the names but he mentioned guys he coached,who became coaches etc the full gamut over 3 decades.
Aside from sounding a bit hoarse from these camps, he came across as a pretty content person who is really comfortable in his own skin but ready to move ahead in the program quest to dream big.
All in all, though not intended, today was a great showcase for this staff, at least from this corner.
Burton and Warner were great but I listened all day and cant recall everything but the Blackwell and Dantonio interviews really resonated.
First Blackwell: I mention the commits because when hear them you realize how strong is their connection to this staff.
For example, when Vance was interviewed he spoke of how Blackwell knew him from a young age and had his back over the ensuing years and obviously does to this day. You realize how embedded Blackwell is in Detroit youth programs and how he was instrumental in getting SMSB off the ground. You listen to Blackwell speak of MSU , the new facilities, the rest of the staff and of his background, and you can imagine the impact on recruits. Great, great hire.
Then Dantonio , he just has a perfect personality for the job. He is humble and down to earth. He described how he is a small town guy who had to scratch for coaching jobs over 30 years.
He made sure to emphasize, for example, that "selling results not hope" was never intended as a disrespect, but rather the truth with regard to recruiting.
He can be funny but you know he wants to take this program to the next level. He is decisive- listening to his call on the little giants play ,made matter of fact, on the spur of the moment, with full confidence it would work. He described to Ebling how often they had practiced that play and the full confidence he had in the key guys . who executed it.
The best part of the interview was his description of the day at camp, in that it encapsulated all 30 years of his coaching experience. I dont recall the names but he mentioned guys he coached,who became coaches etc the full gamut over 3 decades.
Aside from sounding a bit hoarse from these camps, he came across as a pretty content person who is really comfortable in his own skin but ready to move ahead in the program quest to dream big.
All in all, though not intended, today was a great showcase for this staff, at least from this corner.
