The departure of Ben Herbert to the Los Angeles Chargers came as a surprise to the Michigan football community, particularly since he had been present at Sherrone Moore’s introductory press conference just days prior to his departure. However, Moore acted swiftly by promoting assistant strength coach Justin Tress to fill the vacancy.
Tress, who joined Michigan in 2018 alongside Herbert from Arkansas, has steadily progressed within the program under Herbert’s guidance. Now, he has the opportunity to continue the established culture over the past several years.
Despite his promotion, Tress remains somewhat unknown to those outside the program. In a recent appearance on the “In The Trenches” podcast with Jon Jansen, Tress aimed to shed some light on his background and discuss his new role with the team.
Reflecting on his recent advancement, Tress described it as a life-changing experience and a dream come true, especially given that it came from his mentor, Ben Herbert. While it wasn’t the path he had envisioned, Tress expressed pride and humility in taking over after Herbert.
It’s reasonable to expect or assume that Tress might try to emulate Herbert’s approach, given its success over the years. However, while Tress doesn’t intend to make significant changes, it seems that the only difference will be the individual in charge.
Tress emphasized that not much needs to change in terms of the methods and principles they follow. He expressed his intention to stay true to himself and maintain the approach that has brought him to this point. Building strong relationships with the players remains his primary focus.
Herbert’s departure to join Jim Harbaugh’s staff understandably disappointed many. However, when asked about addressing such a significant departure, Tress didn’t depict scenes of tearful farewells or somber moments in the weight room.
“On the first day, my approach was to simply start training without delivering a speech upfront,” Tress explained. “At the end of the session, I brought the team together and pointed out the unconventional approach. They seemed puzzled, wondering if there was a hidden agenda. I clarified that there wasn’t. My message to them emphasized that the consistency they experienced was a result of the standards they had set for themselves. While we guide and support them, ultimately, they choose how they approach each day. As days passed, we continued with the same routines, focusing on refining details and striving for improvement. The team embraced this approach, demonstrating full commitment and maintaining their momentum.
Regarding the current roster and the changes due to NFL Draft selections and transfers, Tress highlighted the enthusiasm and accountability shown by certain players. “There’s a sense of excitement among those stepping into new roles,” he noted. “Instead of grand gestures, it’s about simple reminders to uphold standards and address any areas needing improvement.”
“And you witness that commitment from numerous individuals. It’s challenging to pinpoint any specific person because it’s truly a collective effort. The significant aspect is that as a group, they’re choosing to approach each day with the same dedication as before. While I may have a good idea of who the leaders will be, it’s ultimately up to time to reveal them.”
With the offseason transitioning into spring ball, there’s ample opportunity for additional training and conditioning. Tress discussed the preparations leading up to spring practices over the past few weeks.
“Initially, it felt reassuring because we didn’t have to cram everything into a tight schedule,” Tress remarked. “We had time, but we were mindful not to waste it. So, the focus was on maximizing our time effectively and keeping things dynamic to avoid monotony. We introduced various challenges and competitions to keep things fresh.”