How Michigan football's offense benefited from having Josh Gattis on the sideline – Detroit Free Press, Freep.com

Josh Gattis spent the first three games of the season calling plays from up in the box, with a bird’s eye view of the field.

He got a much closer look at the action Saturday.

Michigan’s offensive coordinator traded his seat high above the field for a spot on the sidelines, next to his players and fellow coaches, throughoutthe Wolverines’ 52 – 0 win over Rutgers.

The move was announced on UM’s pregame radio show, during which Gattis explained his decision – one that he said he “slept on” all week long.

UM grades:Offense shows what it’s capable of vs. Rutgers

“I think this group really leans on leadership and they need it,” Gattis said. “To be on the field, to be able to provide that leadership, in good and bad times, it’s something I think that I want to encourage out of our guys. They’re used to me being on the field in practice, calling plays for them. It’ll be no different than that scenario. “

Did the change make a difference?

Yes , according to Jim Harbaugh and the players.

“I thought it was also really good for substitutions,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve been having substitution errors in the first three games. For Josh to be there as the plays are being formulated, he can react to the kind of subs he wants in the game, who he wants running a particular route or play. It flowed much better today. It could still be better, the operation and mechanics of it. But I thought it took a big leap today. “

Harbaugh and Gattis discussed the move “last week,” the head coach said, starting a conversation. Harbaugh was leaning toward the change. So was Gattis.

“I thought (communication) was better,” Harbaugh later added. “Everything was better face-to-face – me communicating with him, him communicating with players, players hearing it from him and not going through the box. It was good. It was a good move. Glad we did it.”

More analysis:UM squashes negativity – for now – in blowout win over Rutgers

Gattis’ s demineor demeanor was animated. He congratulated players after touchdowns – even appearing to share some advice with freshman receiver Giles Jackson after his 23 – yard touchdown catch gave Michigan a 52 – point lead. At other times, he was outwardly frustrated with officials, including after quarterback Shea Patterson scored a touchdown on a quarterback sneak.

“I think it brought more energy, made things more personal,” said running back Christian Turner. “Just him congratulating me after the touchdown, it was a show of how we’re all in this together. It was just a cool experience, cool feeling.

“All week, he emphasized believing in his players, and we just have to believe in him. I think him being on the sideline just emphasized that even more. “

Patterson described Gattis’ presence on the sideline as” something we’re used to. “

“I really like it,” Patterson said, “and I thought our guys like it, too.

” I think Coach Gattis is, without a doubt, kind of the leader of our offense. I think we all trust in him. Like I said, we see it every day in practice, so it was just a little bit more personal. “

Your turn:Grade Michigan’s performance vs. Rutgers

Against Rutgers, the Wolverines doubled their season scoring average and compiled 476 total yards. The pass game averaged 12 yards per attempt, while the run game opened up a few holes and scored five touchdowns.

So, it’s probably safe to expect Gattis to continue calling plays from the sidelines.

“Josh Gattis, all the offensive coaches and offensive players – the precision they had, they improved and it showed,” Harbaugh said . “They put together a really good game plan and the players knew it. It was coached. It was executed. There was a lot of trust there.”

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