Helow joined the Crimson Tide less than two weeks after Alabama was chosen to play the Wolverines in the College Football Playoffs, but he was not a member of Michigan’s staff this season.
ANN ARBOR, Michigan: Although there wasn’t much more juice needed for the Michigan football team’s impending Rose Bowl game versus Alabama, it was last week when the Crimson Tide signed George Helow to an undefined role in their staff in advance of the game. Helow has held positions at Georgia, Colorado State, Maryland, and Alabama as a defensive intern in 2012, but he is most renowned for having served as Michigan’s linebackers coach in 2021 and 2022.
Although he was hired by the Crimson Tide less than two weeks after Alabama was chosen to play the Wolverines in the College Football Playoff, he did not serve on the staff this season. Naturally, many saw the action as a ploy to provide the Crimson Tide with additional in-depth information.
“I received it from Mike Barrett and Ernest Hausmann.” but distinct nonetheless. Junior Colson, a linebacker, smiled and remarked, “Just different.” It seems as though they could be a little afraid—you never know. However, I’m glad for him that he has a job. That’s why I’m happy for him. I’ll probably tell him what’s up after the game since I’m happy. Therefore, all you have to do is go play ball outside.
Helow will undoubtedly know Michigan’s defense better than almost anybody who isn’t currently on the Wolverines’ staff or team, even though it’s possible that the club has changed its play-calling signals and communication terminology while he was on staff last fall. He assisted Barrett in turning from a predator into an effective inside linebacker and helped Colson win freshman All-American status in 2021. Colson also recorded a 100-tackle season last year. He’s still conversant with the theories and tactics of Michigan’s defense, which leads the country in scoring defense, allows the fewest yards per game, and allows the fewest yards per play.
Colson wasn’t convinced of the intelligence’s potential benefits.
“In football, you really can’t have an advantage,” Colson remarked. “Even if you are aware of someone’s entire game plan, you must still stop it. Therefore, in football, you can’t actually have an advantage. You have to go play ball, let the dice fall where they may, and get out there.
Colson talked about Helow in addition to Chris Partridge, the former linebackers coach at Michigan who was fired earlier this season for allegedly going against the university’s policy regarding talking to outside parties about the NCAA’s investigation into Michigan’s advanced scouting. Partridge, who had served as the Wolverines’ defensive coach for four seasons (from 2016 to 2019), assumed the position this past winter.
It wasn’t reflected in the win-loss column, but it was a blow that Michigan’s players had to get beyond. The fact that Rick Minter, the father of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and a seasoned college head coach and coordinator, took over for Partridge helped ease that challenge.
Colson remarked, “It was difficult” to lose Partridge. It was challenging. It was difficult to lose him midway through the season because we had such a strong bond. But I know that’s what he would want me to do, so I’ve been playing ball ever since. And coach Minter, what a long tenure he had. He is a huge football expert. He’s a terrific man to have around and a tremendous mentor, so you just never stop learning and developing.
Michigan will play Alabama on January 1 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN, with Minter coaching the linebackers.
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