The Michigan Wolverines are riding high going into the offseason. Even though the team struggled this year, especially on offense, the vibes around the program have never been better. In the final regular season game, they took down Ohio State despite being a 20-point underdog. Sherrone Moore and his staff were able to flip the number one overall quarterback recruit, Bryce Underwood. Other four and five-star recruits have committed to the team, and Moore has been active in the transfer portal. The program got another win on Thursday when they hired analyst Juan Castillo who has some legendary NFL ties.
Michigan Wolverines Hire Juan Castillo
Juan Castillo, who is 65 years old, has decades of experience in the sport of football. He has worked under Andy Reid, John Harbaugh, and former Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh. Castillo was with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995-2012, when Reid had the team as a perennial playoff contender. When John Harbaugh left to coach the Baltimore Ravens, Castillo followed. He was there from 2013 to 2016, and he was primarily the offensive line coach. Jim Harbaugh brought him to Ann Arbor in 2019 before he left the next year to coach for the Chicago Bears.
It isn’t hard to see why the Michigan Wolverines and their fans should be excited about this hire. His expertise is in the offensive line, and the Wolverines have been dominant over the past few seasons. This season, the team couldn’t pass the ball to save themselves, but the run game remained consistent. In the win over USC early in the season, the run game single-handedly won them the game (along with the defense). The fact this unit could get better next year should scare every Big Ten team.
2025 Season Outlook
The Michigan Wolverines will look a lot different next season. Uncertainty at the quarterback position caused the team to lack an identity in the passing game throughout the year. If the team was winning, the offensive identity was clear: run the ball. When they fell behind, there was no juice in the passing game to help them catch up. That shouldn’t happen next year. Moore fired the offensive coordinator and has recruited more offensive firepower. If there is one concern, it is the schedule.
The Wolverines do not have consecutive home games next year on the schedule. Michigan usually spends the first month of the season at the Big House, but not in 2025. They travel to Norman, Oklahoma, to take on the Sooners in an early season matchup. After a home game against Central Michigan, they travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, to kick off the Big Ten season. They continue to alternate home and away games throughout the year. Two bye weeks will help the team recharge, but the schedule will be difficult to manage.
Final Thoughts
Everything since the victory over the Buckeyes has been good news for the Michigan Wolverines. They are loading up on talent, not just on the roster but also on the coaching staff. Can the Wolverines get back into the conversation for the College Football Playoff in 2025?
