Michigan fans desperate for Jim Harbaugh to modernize the team's offense may finally get their wish. Harbaugh's ready to turn over the keys to his new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis.
And Gattis, who spent 2018 as co-offensive coordinator at Alabama, is ready to throw it in drive.
"I think we don't have one weakness on offense, so I really am excited to get to work. I know the guys are excited – they're excited about this new change. I think this is our opportunity to change the narrative on Michigan football, especially offensively," Gattis told MLive on Tuesday night while on a recruiting trip with Harbaugh to Muskegon High School. "We're excited for the challenge.
"We've got a chip on our shoulder and looking forward to accomplishing (big goals) on the field."
Gattis first hinted at opening up Michigan's offense, which has been run-heavy under Harbaugh, with a simple tweet shortly after his hire. The hashtag "#SpeedInSpace" instantly caught eyes.
The Building Blocks for 〽️Offensively!1. Be EXPLOSIVE!2. Protect the Football & Who Has It!3. Be Aggresive & Score!DNA➕SCHEME➕CONFIDENCE=----------#SpeedInSpace #GoBlue〽️
— Josh Gattis (@Coach_Gattis) January 13, 2019Michigan's offense may have been stale in the past, but those days are over, Gattis says.
"For people that maybe question or criticize, look at my track record with offenses, obviously, and the production not only in the run game but in the pass game. That's the same impact that we're going to end up having here. It's going to be a completely brand-new offense. We're excited about the direction we're headed in."
Prior to his one-year stint at Alabama, Gattis, 35, served as an offensive coach at Penn State, Vanderbilt and Western Michigan, working primarily with wide receivers. The likes of Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins and Tarik Black should be put in a position to thrive next season.
Meanwhile, Harbaugh will cede control of the offense for the first time in his tenure as head coach. He had the final say on play-calling for the past four years. Not anymore, according to Gattis.
"Coach Harbaugh's been awesome in making it a system to where I'm going to have full control. I'm looking forward to it. We have a great offensive staff, and I couldn't be more excited about the players and staff that we have. I'm looking forward to what we can do to change the direction of the offense," said Gattis.
In four seasons under Harbaugh, Michigan has never finished higher than 50th in the country in total offense or higher than 53rd in passing offense. In Gattis' lone season at Alabama, the Crimson tide ranked sixth in both categories. They ranked 91st in passing offense the year prior to Gattis' hire.
Replying to a recent comment on Twitter about the potential of Michigan's passing game, Gattis whipped out that familiar hashtag.
--〽️-- Just wait --....... We will not on DEVELOP great players we will put them in position to be Successful=#SpeedInSpace https://t.co/aWAiH7Gz6O
— Josh Gattis (@Coach_Gattis) January 22, 2019Asked about the addition of Gattis to the coaching staff, Harbaugh told MLive, "Really excited, first of all, just because he's had such a great track record of success everywhere he's been. He's done a great job coaching players, developing players and he's got a high rate of success."
Harbaugh and Gattis were at Muskegon to check in on junior Cameron Martinez, a three-star athlete to whom Michigan made an offer in November.
