11
How Whittingham Fixed Michigan’s Glaring Issue
Michigan Football’s New Strength Program: From "Shockingly Low" to Record Breakers in 7 Months
The Big Picture: What Happened?
Imagine you get a box of brand-new, shiny tools for your birthday. They look amazing! But when you try to use them, you realize they’re not as strong as your old, beat-up tools. That’s basically what happened to the Michigan Wolverines football team when their new coaches arrived.
When: August 1, 2026
Who: Michigan Wolverines football team, new Head Coach Kyle Whittingham, Strength Coach Doug Elisaia
Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan (Big Ten Conference)
Section 1: The Surprise Discovery
The "Shiny Tools" Problem
When Coach Whittingham and his staff arrived from Utah, they inherited a roster packed with talent — we’re talking four-star and five-star recruits (the highest ratings for high school players). On paper, this team looked like a powerhouse.
IMPORTANT POINT: Having talented players doesn’t automatically mean they’re physically ready for college football’s highest level.
The Strength Test Reality Check
Strength Coach Doug Elisaia put the team through baseline workouts in winter. The results? Shockingly low numbers.
Coach Whittingham’s exact words:
"The most glaring thing that stood out to me when we first got there was that when we tested them in the strength room, the overall strength of the team wasn’t up to par… It was very apparent, by the numbers, they paled in comparison to the place we came from."
Why Were They So Weak? The Old Philosophy
Running back Jordan Marshall explained the previous staff’s approach:
| Old Approach | What They Avoided | Their Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| "Not lifting just to lift" | Bench press (classic chest/arm exercise) | Worried about shoulder injuries |
| Focus on "game-ready" movements | Traditional heavy lifting | Wanted to prevent soft-tissue injuries |
| Daily hamstring training | Maximum strength building | Injury prevention over raw power |
In simple terms: The old coaches thought doing heavy bench presses would hurt players’ shoulders, so they skipped it entirely. They focused on specific muscles (like hamstrings) every day to keep guys healthy, but didn’t build overall body strength.
Section 2: The Turnaround Plan
The Honest Conversation
Coach Elisaia walked into Whittingham’s office and said:
"Coach, you’re not going to like this."
They talked it through. Whittingham’s response?
"Doug, I have no question in my mind you’ll get it right."
The New Philosophy: Back to Basics
Elisaia brought a traditional strength program — the kind that builds raw, full-body power through exercises like:
- Bench press
- Squats
- Deadlifts
- Olympic lifts (clean, jerk, snatch)
The goal: Build a body that can withstand the brutal physicality of the Big Ten Conference — widely considered the toughest conference in college football.
Section 3: The Results — 7 Months Later
The Numbers Don’t Lie
After wrapping up summer conditioning, the team tested again:
97% of players hit NEW PERSONAL BESTS!
That means almost every single player on the roster got significantly stronger in less than half a year.
Player Buy-In: Seeing Is Believing
Jordan Marshall (the running back) noticed the difference too — not just in strength, but in conditioning (endurance/stamina). He says it’s "way ahead of where it was last season."
Coach Whittingham on why players bought in:
"As soon as the players realize you can help them be a better player, you’ll get buy-in. As soon as they know what you’re preaching is going to work, if they follow it, they’re going to get better."
Section 4: What "Success" Looks Like This Year
The "Christmas Present" Analogy
Whittingham compares this season to a wrapped Christmas present:
- You see the box under the tree → Excited about possibilities
- But you don’t know what’s inside → Until you open it (play the games)
- Opening day: September 5 vs. Western Michigan (7:30 PM, NBC)
Realistic Goals: "Meaningful Games in November"
Whittingham acknowledges:
- "Cupboard was far from bare" — good talent exists
- Depth needs improvement — not enough quality backups yet
- One of the 5 toughest schedules in the country
His definition of a successful season:
"If we’re playing meaningful games in November… with Big Ten title implications and a potential College Football Playoff berth still ahead of them."
Key November games:
- November 14 — at Oregon
- November 28 — at Ohio State (the biggest rivalry game)
Summary: The 7-Month Transformation
| Timeline | What Happened | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival (Winter) | New staff finds 4-5 star talent but shockingly low strength numbers | Talent ≠ Physical readiness |
| The Cause | Previous staff avoided heavy lifting (no bench press) to prevent injuries | Injury prevention ≠ Big Ten readiness |
| The Fix | Coach Elisaia implements traditional strength program | Old-school basics work |
| 7 Months Later (Summer) | 97% of team hits personal records in strength & conditioning | Results create belief |
| Season Opens (Sept 5) | "Christmas present" unwrapped vs. Western Michigan | Real test begins now |
| Success Benchmark | Meaningful games in November (playoff/championship implications) | Process over predictions |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Who is Kyle Whittingham?
He’s Michigan’s new head football coach, hired after a successful run at Utah. He’s known for building tough, physical teams.
2. Why did the previous staff avoid bench press?
They believed it increased shoulder injury risk. Instead, they did daily hamstring work to prevent soft-tissue pulls/strains.
3. What does "97% hit personal bests" mean?
Almost every player lifted more weight, ran faster, or lasted longer than they ever had before in their lives.
4. What are "meaningful games in November"?
Games where the team is still competing for the Big Ten Championship and a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
5. When does Michigan play their first game?
September 5, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET vs. Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium (TV: NBC).
Final Thought
Strength isn’t just about big muscles — it’s about durability. The Wolverines learned that the hard way. Now, with a proven strength coach, bought-in players, and a clear standard ("championships or bust"), they’ve turned a weakness into a potential weapon. The box is wrapped. September 5th, they tear it open.
