CHICAGO -- The expectation in Ann Arbor is that the offense will take a massive step forward under Kyle Whittingham, and the big reason for that is new offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
Beck and Whittingham only spent one year together, this past season at Utah. But the two California natives and BYU alums hit it off, with Beck taking the nation's 115th total offense in 2024 and making it fourth in the nation a year ago.
It wasn't the only time that Beck had a big turnaround. The year before, at New Mexico was 45th -- not exactly downtrodden offensively -- but also finished fourth in the nation. So, he has something of a track record, and he was someone Whittingham absolutely had to have in Ann Arbor.
At Big Ten media days, WolverinesWire asked
Whittingham about Beck and his success, and he noted why he has such confidence in his offensive coordinator for the second straight year.
"I saw it firsthand all last year at Utah," Whittingham said. "He took an offense that was anemic the year before, for lack of a better term, and turned it into a powerhouse. We were, I think, fourth in the nation in scoring, second in rushing, first in redzone production. Category after category, he took us from almost the last spots in the nation up to the top 10. He's a master of getting the most out of each player, putting players in positions to succeed, both schematically and what we line them up at.
"He's a guy that I have a ton of faith in. He's only been with me for a year, but I knew of Jason and watched him for seven years prior to that. We couldn't have a better person running the offense. I know Bryce is very excited about it as well."
Quarterback Bryce Underwood isn't the only one excited about what Beck brings to the table. So is running back Jordan Marshall. Also at Big Ten media days, Marshall shared his thoughts on what the new offense will look like. And with what was the past two years' No. 2 rushing attack, it's not about just running up the middle.
"Explosive, while also tricky," Marshall said. "I think there's an element of surprise to our offense. And I'll just leave it at that."
With that, Marshall doesn't feel like he needs to adapt to Beck, as Beck's mentality is to deploy the talent he has as it is and working around that. Whether it's the tailbacks, Bryce Underwood, or the wideouts, Beck wants to get the most out of who he has more than fitting square pegs into round holes.
"I think it's not my game fitting to that offense," Marshall said. "I think it's Coach Beck also seeing what we do well and adding or wrinkling a certain thing into the offense. And I think he's done a great job of also talking to his players. Like, 'Hey, let's do this.' And I was like, 'Maybe can we try this?' And he's like, 'Yeah.' So I think that's a good thing.
"And even with Bryce, finding out what Bryce likes to do. Maybe even looking back at his high school film or last year's film. Like, 'You did this very well, you didn't do this very well.' So having those conversations about how we can make this the best offense in the country. He has a record of showing that they can have a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver. That is the goal, and that's the standard -- to be a top five offense in the country."
If Michigan has a top five offense in the country with this schedule, it would be a massive win for Beck. The Wolverines face five defenses that were in the top 10 last year in total defense: No. 1 Ohio State, No. 4 Indiana, No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 7 Oregon, and No. 9 Iowa.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Why Kyle Whittingham, Jordan Marshall have faith in new OC Jason Beck
