Michigan Wolverines defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan shared insights on player development, tackling technique, and team dynamics.
Morgan recalled trying Jyaire Hill‘s baked goods in the offseason, praising the cheesecake cone and white chocolate-dipped strawberries.
“He has some cheesecake, like a cheesecake cone that he made,” Morgan said. “I had it like last year. He has some strawberries that he dipped in white chocolate and all this different stuff.”
During the season, Morgan said he hasn’t eaten Hill’s baked goods much.
“But during the season and stuff, I’ve not eaten that,” Morgan said.
Morgan added that Hill is always trying to bake something new.
“He’s always trying to bake something, and players say it’s really good. He cooks all the time,” Morgan said.
Regarding Hill’s coverage and leadership, Morgan praised his film study and growth.
“He’s trying to become a complete football player, not just an athlete,” Morgan said. “His leadership is more about energy and personality than vocal commands. When he’s at his best, the secondary and team are at their best.”
Hit-stick
On balancing hit-stick mentality with form tackling, Morgan emphasized the importance of fundamentals.
“In the NFL, the biggest thing is getting the guy down,” Morgan said. “Being physical and knocking a guy out versus missing a tackle is a fine line. We’ve done a better job lately focusing on tackling in space, especially as players get tired.”
Interceptions
Morgan highlighted the defense’s success in interceptions this season. “Opportunities change the narrative,” he said. “You have to catch the ones thrown to you. Jierre has had a lot of opportunities, and we’re working on catching them better every day.”
Morgan credited the team’s focus on ball disruption and turnover creation as contagious.
“When a couple turnovers happen, usually we get two or three a game,” Morgan said. “Every position group can contribute, from defensive linemen to linebackers to safeties.”
Wink Martindale
Morgan described his collaboration with defensive coordinator coach Wink Martindale as a partnership with shared responsibilities in game planning.
“We have a great staff with experienced coordinators,” Morgan said. “My role is to limit explosive plays in the passing game and take away what opponents do best.”
Aspirations to coordinate
When asked about aspirations to coordinate again, Morgan said he focuses on being the best defensive backs coach and mentor.
“I want to be transformational, not transactional,” Morgan said. “I enjoy developing players, even those new to the position, and helping them perform well.”
Microwave society
Morgan discussed the challenges of coaching in today’s “microwave society,” where young players want immediate playing time. “You have to be honest and fair,” Morgan said. “Some players get frustrated, but you have to maximize their role and be truthful about opportunities.”
Brandyn Hillman
On watching Brandyn Hillman‘s hits, Morgan noted his infectious energy and physicality but stressed the need for technique and knowing when to take shots.
“Kids don’t understand until you show them on tape,” Morgan said. “We changed drills to focus more on tackling in space, and hopefully that shows on film.”
Freshman cornerbacks
Morgan expressed confidence in the rapid development of freshman cornerbacks.
“My goal was to play the most freshmen on the team,” Morgan said. “Young players have to earn trust and learn to bounce back from mistakes. We have great coaches helping them improve.”
Mason Curtis
On Mason Curtis' performance and development, Morgan praised his size, improving pad level, communication, and engagement. “He’s a unique athlete and will continue to grow his role,” Morgan said.
Challenges of coaching
Morgan discussed the challenges of coaching in what he called a “transactional” and “microwave” society, where players want immediate playing time.
“Everybody wants to play, right? You recruit these high-end kids, they get here and they want to play as true freshmen,” Morgan said. “I got a room full of guys that want to play every game, and some of them get frustrated since they don’t get to play as much as they want to play.”
Morgan emphasized the importance of fairness and honesty in communicating players’ roles.
Morgan used Elijah Dotson as an example: “He doesn’t play as much on defense as he probably wants to. Probably plays 10 to 15 snaps on defense a game, but he’s a four-core special teams guy. In the last couple of weeks, he’s been amazing.”
He added that while players are not recruited solely for special teams, many have long careers there.
“It’s hard for young, talented players to realize what their role is coming in here.”
Morgan noted the challenge of having a standout freshman quarterback in Bryce Underwood, which can create frustration among other players who don’t get as much playing time.
“If you came in with that class, you see somebody that’s a freshman, they’re playing, and you’re not playing. Why do they get to play? Why did I not get to play as much?”
Morgan stressed that playing time must be decided on a case-by-case basis and that coaches must be as honest as possible.
“It’s hard to guarantee playing time because you don’t know how the game’s going to go. You just have to be truthful and fair and allow the guys to understand if you practice well, you have an opportunity to play, but there’s no guarantees.”
Morgan explained why many freshmen and sophomores transfer.
“They go to a place, they think they should start, they start comparing themselves to each other, then they look up and understand that some guys just perform better than them,” Morgan said.
Morgan said it is difficult to experiment with players during the heat of the schedule because winning games is the priority.
“It’s hard to just throw a guy out there and see if they can figure it out now,” Morgan said.
Despite these challenges, Morgan said the main focus is mentoring young men and helping them grow.
“If you keep the main thing the main thing, which is mentoring young men, no matter what their background is, making them a better person, teaching them the game of football, and making them grow, I think you can get through any of the hard times that they might get frustrated about playing time.”
Morgan also mentioned the importance of honest communication with parents.
“When you call them, you got to tell them the truth sometimes. Hey, your son is not practicing well. So, it’s hard to trust him right now.”
Morgan concluded by cautioning against letting societal changes turn coaching into a purely transactional process.
“If you let society change how you think, then eventually you’ll just be it, just transactional. This isn’t the NFL yet,” Morgan said.
USC/Oklahoma
Reflecting on the USC-Oklahoma games, Morgan took accountability as a coach.
“If a kid doesn’t know what to do, it’s the coach’s fault,” Morgan said. “We have to play sound, fast, and with high effort. Effort to the ball gives us another chance to make plays.”
Rod Moore
Morgan expressed optimism about Rod Moore‘s injury recovery and praised the team’s response in his absence.
“To me, I’m excited for Rod,” Morgan said. “Everybody’s being cautious with him right now, and I think he’s in great spirits. We have a great medical team here. We just want to do right by the kid because he’s done such a great job for us.”
Morgan highlighted that Moore is progressing well and running again.
“We just want to make sure he feels comfortable and right when he gets back on the field,” Morgan said.
Morgan emphasized the importance of prioritizing the player’s health over rushing him back.
“As a coach, of course, you want the guy out there playing, but is that the best thing for him? Winning games matter, but the kid matters a little bit more,” Moore said.
Morgan said he supports whatever is best for Moore’s health and career.
“He’s moving in the right direction, and he’ll be back the way he wants to be really soon,” Morgan said.
Regarding the possibility of Moore using a redshirt year due to injury, Morgan was uncertain about the rules.
“I thought he redshirted last year, so I don’t know if he can do that anymore. That’d be like a medical something. I have no idea. We haven’t talked about that at all,” Morgan said.
Morgan noted Moore’s focus is on preparing for the NFL draft and having a strong senior season.
“Rod was a high NFL draft pick two years ago. He’s chasing, getting ready for the NFL, and also trying to have a senior season that propels him to have a great senior bowl, a great combine,” Morgan said.
Morgan clarified that Moore is not shutting down his season but wants to come back, compete, and help the team win a championship.
“Some kids just shut it down and say, ‘I’m done.’ That’s not what he’s doing. He wants to come back, play games, compete, help us win a championship, and then get ready for the draft,” Morgan said.