MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions: Head Coach Joe McFarland
7/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
July 19, 2011
Each weekday in the month of July, MGoBlue.com will feature an interview with a U-M head coach. Wrestling's leader Joe McFarland talks Tuesday (July 19) about a hungry group for 2011-12, dedication to a paper route, and summer wrestling.
What makes the summer in wrestling so unique?
The biggest difference between summer in wrestling and summer in other sports is we wrestle a different style. There's a different scoring system, different period lengths and everything is structured differently. So, for our guys, they have got to mentally make those adjustments, and I think that's healthy for them. In freestyle and Greco-Roman, it's more explosive moments whereas folkstyle is more controlled. You've got to hold good position in freestyle, and it really forces my guys to clean up their wrestling a little bit.
Why are the summer months so important to the development of the team?
It probably holds true with any sport, but it's a great time to work on our strength and conditioning. Coach [Mike] Favre has been doing a great job with these guys, and they've really bought into it. We want them stronger and more powerful and explosive, but we don't necessarily want them to get too big. It also gives them a chance to work on some of their mat strengths and weaknesses and really focus on the areas that they feel as individuals they need to work on over the course of the summer. We've had a lot of guys commit to staying here over the summer. It's a great group, and they're really into it and have been getting some great workouts in.
What do you see as the team's biggest strength heading into next season?
I think we've got some experience coming back. We've got a number of guys who were at the national tournament. We've got a great leader in Kellen Russell coming back. We've got some guys who are going into their last year or two, they've got their experience, and I think they've had a little taste of it and want more. All those things are really going to help us next year.
What was your first summer job? And where?
My first job was a paper route. My whole family -- six boys and one girl -- had paper routes. They were sort of handed down. I had my paper route from fourth grade until I started ninth grade when I could no longer do it. It was an afternoon route, so every day I'd come home from school, do my paper route then go to wrestling practice. I'd maintain that route throughout the summer. It was great, because it taught me the value of money, hard work, commitment and responsibility. I had to be there at a certain time every day rain or shine. I never one time had anyone help me with it and I didn't do it on a bike, I walked it every day.
Do you or did you have any special travel plans this summer?
My wife, Linda, and I got down to Key West for a week with my younger brother and his wife. It was great. We got a great condo that we stayed in, had a pool to ourselves all day. It was a great week to relax.
Since your season ended, tell us one unique thing you have done?
Outside of that vacation, I've pretty much been here in the office all summer. It's been a really busy spring and summer -- probably as busy as it's ever been to be honest. But it's been good; busy is good. I am really excited for this upcoming year. But hopefully Linda and I can find a weekend or two in August that we can get away to Northern Michigan to recharge the battery.
Past MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions
• Head Women's Track & Field Coach James Henry (July 19)
• Head Women's Golf Cheryl Stacy (July 18)
• Head Men's Golf Coach Chris Whitten (July 18)
• Head Rowing Coach Mark Rothstein (July 15)
• Head Women's Swimming Coach Jim Richardson (July 14)
• Head Volleyball Coach Mark Rosen (July 13)
• Head Men's Soccer Coach Steve Burns (July 12)
• Head Women's Cross Country Coach Mike McGuire (July 11)
• Head Men's Cross Country Coach Alex Gibby (July 11)
• Head Women's Soccer Coach Greg Ryan (July 8)
• Head Men's Tennis Coach Bruce Berque (July 7)
• Head Men's Track & Field Coach Fred LaPlante (July 6)
• Head Water Polo Coach Matt Anderson (July 5)
• Head Men's Swimming & Diving Coach Mike Bottom (July 1)
