Michigan’s dominant 63-3 victory over Central Michigan was a resounding statement. And especially under unusual circumstances, with offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore absent due to suspension. Best part? Bryce Underwood was the star, torching Central Michigan with 235 passing yards, a touchdown, and 114 rushing yards, including two rushing scores. He was completely free in that game, unlike against Oklahoma. Interim coach Biff Poggi and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey played a big role in shaping this approach.

Biff Poggi’s impact on the Wolverines during Sherrone Moore’s absence was nothing short of remarkable. Poggi stepped in as a catalyst for the offense’s freedom and flow. That said, do you know his connection to Michigan dates back to when Jim Harbaugh was at the helm? This unique hire by Harbaugh even comes to light in the Jox 94.5 podcast, where the hosts discuss  how Poggi’s arrival at the Wolverines had to do with the recruitment of his son by the program.

“Did y’all see the clip?” The host said. “I had just seen it the other day of Biff Poggi talking about how Jim Harbaugh got him to join the Michigan staff and essentially they were recruiting his son to Michigan and they just ended up striking up conversations about football and one day Jim Harbaugh called Biff Poggi and said, “Hey, why don’t you come up here and you know, we’ll find a spot for you on the staff.” 

The timeline takes us back to 2015 when Jim Harbaugh was trying to recruit Biff Poggi’s son, Henry Poggi, a defensive tackle at Gilman School in Baltimore. Biff Poggi was the head coach of the same school at the time. The next thing you see is Poggi recalling a hilarious story about his hire. It was about how one day out of the blue, during one of his Bible studies, his phone rang. On the other end was none other than Jim Harbaugh himself, calling to talk football and life. “We just start talking about Michigan football,” Poggi said.

“He said, ‘What do you think our record would have been last year had we punted the ball more?’ And I was like, ‘Jim, I don’t know.” Poggi recalled. That phone conversation turned into an invitation to join the Michigan staff. After that, Poggi eventually headed down to Florida and met up with Harbaugh at his hotel before Michigan’s bowl game against the Gators.

The two hit it off right away, as Poggi mentions, “And then it was kind of love after that.” The program hired Poggi because he brought decades of football experience. People see Poggi as Harbaugh’s “right hand,” and his impact on Michigan football is no joke. When he came back to the staff in 2021, the Wolverines jumped from a rough 2-4 season in 2020 to a 12-2 run—and he might’ve been a big reason why. That spark from the interim coach snowballed into Michigan finally winning the natty in 2023, ending a 15-year wait.

Biff Poggi’s old-school wisdom in a new-age game

Biff Poggi brings a refreshingly old-school perspective to the modern recruiting process. Poggi’s own recruiting journey, back in 1979 at Gilman School, was much simpler and more straightforward than what athletes endure today. Back then, it was all about game film and real performance on the field, not highlight reels or 40-yard dash times. “We didn’t think about getting recruited,” Biff said. “We thought about playing football.”

Poggi’s perspective is personal and practical. He played at the University of Pittsburgh with legends like Marino and went on to coach at Brown and The Citadel. This varied background gives him an eye for true talent and potential beyond numbers and hype. For his own son, Jim, a highly sought-after linebacker, Biff was a steady guiding voice. “He gave me a lot of advice and he gave me his thoughts on certain people, certain places,” Jim said.

“But he was very forward in saying, ‘This is your career, not mine. I already played. You go wherever.” Biff also warns about the pitfalls of today’s recruiting industry. He’s observed the growing business side with recruiting camps, combines, and even paid services to “package” athletes. He calls this out as “big business,” reminding players and parents to stay centered on the fundamentals.