How did Michigan turn its rivalry with Ohio State around?
It began with signal-stealing—but not in the way you might think.
Don Brown, Michigan’s defensive coordinator from 2016 to ’20, had no use for the dark art. His nickname was “Dr. Blitz,” and his scheme was based on constant pressure, man-to-man coverage and simplicity—allowing players to play freely and fast. Brown sent his own signals in from the sideline. He rarely changed them over the course of the season. Brown was 60 when Jim Harbaugh hired him, and he strongly believed that he knew how to call a defense. Brown bristled when anybody in the program suggested he could do a better job of disguising his calls, multiple people familiar with the dynamic at the time say.
