Kornacki: Bolden Leads Wolverines into Senior Season
7/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Kornacki
CHICAGO, Ill. -- I asked Michigan senior linebacker Joe Bolden what his goal was for this season.
"Going 15-0," he said. "So, a national championship, a Big Ten championship, a heck of a ring and a heck of a senior year, and growing together as a big, 120-person family."
The Wolverines are coming off a 5-7 season, but expectations are high with new coach Jim Harbaugh. And as unrealistic as Bolden's goals might seem, there is precedence for big turnarounds at Michigan. The Wolverines were 6-6 in 1984 but went 10-1-1 to finish No. 2 in the nation the next year with quarterback Harbaugh back from injury for most of his junior season.
Bolden made 102 tackles last year and came up big in the biggest games. He's on the Butkus Award watch list. But when asked for his goals, he didn't mention anything individual. His only goals were victories.
He's a football player and a leader, plain and simple.
Harbaugh was socializing with the three seniors he brought to Friday's (July 31) Big Ten Football Media Days -- receiver Jehu Chesson, linebacker James Ross and Bolden -- when he was asked what he likes most about Bolden.
"Now, I wasn't a great street fighter or anything," said Harbaugh. "But that's a guy I would not want to get in a fight with. I would talk my way out of that one. He's got real gravel in his gut. He's a true tough guy, and I respect that, especially in football players.
"Most people would be wise to follow that kind of example. He's a smart guy, and he's talented, he's gifted. He's special."
Fellow linebacker Ross has seen Bolden develop.
"He's a very vocal leader," Ross said of Bolden, "and you respect it coming from a guy like him. He's taking ownership in the process and helping young guys get adjusted."
Bolden's father, Dan, is the athletic director at Cincinnati Colerain, where Joe played for his uncle, Tom. Leadership is in his blood and has a special appeal to him.
"Leadership is the most important thing when you are facing adversity," said Bolden. "It's the calm in the chaos. You have to stay calm in that chaos."
Harbaugh knows he can count on Bolden at those times, and the two have bonded quickly.
"We both love to get after it," said Bolden, who met Harbaugh shortly after he was named coach on Dec. 30. "His passion and 'enthusiasm unknown to mankind' becomes a part of you, and a part of the team. The team takes on the personality of the coach."
Bolden helped lead the team in the transition after Brady Hoke, who recruited Bolden to Michigan, was let go. Bolden stressed to his teammates the importance of realizing the change was happening to more than 100 players and to avoid internalizing while stressing role acceptance.
"It's about not focusing on yourself," said Bolden. "It's bigger than just you. The team is bigger than you. Michigan football is bigger than you. The Big Ten is bigger than you. The NCAA is bigger than you. And football in general is bigger than you. You need to understand that you are a very small part of that puzzle. But in order to complete the puzzle, you need to be a part of it.
"So, why not come together and face adversity together? And look at the good that can come out of the situation."
Bolden is all about finding the positives and making a difference.
He wore shoulder-length hair as a freshman along with fellow linebacker Jake Ryan, now a rookie with the Green Bay Packers. He said the long locks weren't a tribute to Packers superstar Clay Matthews, adding that he had a purpose in growing it and cutting it off.
"My sister (Kelly) and I decided to donate our hair," said Bolden. "We got it cut off together, and I sent 10 inches of hair to Pantene. It was a neat experience that me and my sister bonded over. She mentioned it to me, and I thought I might as well grow it out to help somebody else."
Their sheared hair went to Pantene's Beautiful Locks program, which makes wigs for female cancer patients.
Bolden made 31 tackles -- a high total for a freshman reserve -- but he knew he had a ways to go before eventually starting during his sophomore season.
"I had to learn to play like I did back in high school," said Bolden, "and not like a robot -- playing football the way it's supposed to be played."
He hit full stride last season, tying a career high with 10 tackles against Notre Dame. Then he set a new personal standard for tackles with 12 against Michigan State before getting 14 against Maryland. Bolden finished the season with nine tackles and a quarterback hit against Ohio State.
Bolden credits defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who also coached linebackers, with helping him progress. Mattison is now the defensive line coach, and new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin is Bolden's position coach.
"Coach Mattison is a very laid-back individual," said Bolden, "But he gives you this look (after a mistake) that lets you know that you better get it corrected pretty quickly. Coach Durkin is very similar in instructing you and making you better except for not being laid back. He's high-energy, energetic -- a very high-blood pressured guy.
"D.J. just stresses making plays and being yourself -- don't be a robot."
It's about being a football player.
"People say to identify yourself with a sport isn't a good thing," said Bolden. "But if you love something and have a passion for it, and it's part of you, you should identify with it as much as you want.
"I'm a football player, and I love it."
