Scott Shafer
Encyclopedia
Scott Shafer is an American football
coach who is currently the defensive coordinator
for the Syracuse University
football team
. He resigned in December 2008 as the defensive coordinator
for the University of Michigan
Wolverines
football team after less than one year on the job. He was a high school and college quarterback in Ohio at Riverside High School
, Ohio University
, and Baldwin-Wallace College
. Before accepting the defensive coordinator job at Michigan, Shafer was an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island
(1993–1995), Northern Illinois University
(1995–2003), the University of Illinois (2004), Western Michigan University
(2005–2006), and Stanford University
(2007).
in Painesville, Ohio
. In 1978, Shafer's father had open heart surgery; he called Bo Schembechler
, told him he was a football coach and had met him a few times, and asked Schembechler if he could write a letter to his boys. Schembechler did, telling Scott and his brother to be brave. The family had the letter framed. His father ultimately died in 1995 at age 54 after coaching for 28 years at Riverside High.
Shafer's mother said her husband idolized Woody Hayes
and that the family rooted for Ohio State
. But Shafer was more diplomatic, saying, "I was a Big Ten fan growing up. We had Ohio State and Michigan fans in our family. One thing my dad always said was whoever wins that game, you root for that team in the bowl game."
in the Mid-American Conference
. He suffered a knee injury while at Ohio and underwent surgery.
After the 1985 season, Shafer transferred to Baldwin-Wallace College
in Berea, Ohio
, where he played quarterback for the Yellow Jackets from 1987-1989. Playing in the Yellow Jackets' "run-and-shoot" offense, Shafer was ranked 17th in the nation in passing efficiency and earned team MVP honors. In 1989, he led the Yellow Jackets to a 5-2-1 record. In the final game of the 1989 season, Shafer was 16-for-31 passing for 237 yards and three touchdowns, throwing a 55-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Wrobel with 2:52 left to play for a 25-19 win over previously unbeaten John Carroll University
. He finished the 1989 season with a 139.39 passing efficiency rating, best in the Ohio Athletic Conference
. He earned a Bachelor's degree in education from Baldwin-Wallace in 1990. Ohio State Buckeyes
head coach Jim Tressel
is also a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College.
at Indiana University
from 1991-1992. He also earned a master’s degree in education from Indiana in 1993. He next coached the secondary at the University of Rhode Island
from 1993-1995.
Shafer spent eight years as an assistant coach at Northern Illinois University
— the first four as secondary coach — before adding defensive coordinator duties in 2000. Throughout his career at Northern Illinois, Shafer's players earned 13 All-MAC
selections. Under Shafer, Northern Illinois ranked among the top three teams in MAC scoring defense in 2002 and 2003. His 2002 unit led the MAC in interceptions, takeaways, scoring defense, run defense and pass sacks. During the 2003 season, Northern Illinois was ranked as high as No. 12 in the AP poll, recorded its first 10-win season in 20 years, and had three victories over BCS teams while holding them to an average of 15 points per game.
In 2004, he was hired as the secondary coach at the University of Illinois. Working with Illinois head coach Ron Turner
, Shafer coached cornerback Kelvin Hayden
, who led the Big Ten Conference in interceptions and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts
in the second round of the NFL Draft. While Shafer was coaching at Illinois, the team's defensive coordinator was former Michigan linebacker, Mike Mallory
. Shafer and Mallory had also worked together at Northern Illinois. Mallory noted that Shafer's experience as a quarterback helped him as a defensive coach: "He knows how to get into quarterbacks' heads and what to do to throw them off their game."
In December 2004, he was hired by Bill Cubit
at Western Michigan University
, where he was the defensive coordinator from 2005-2006. Western Michigan was 1-10 the year before Shafer arrived, then went 7-4 in 2005 and 8-5 in 2006. In 2006, the Broncos ranked first in the nation in interceptions (24) and sacks (46), sixth in run defense, seventh in turnover margin and 11th in total defense. The Broncos' rush defense (76.1 yards per game) in 2006 set a MAC record for fewest rushing yards allowed per game. Shafer was a nominee for the Broyles Award
as the top assistant coach in the nation.
In 2007, he was the defensive coordinator for Stanford
, where he was part of the Cardinal's October 6, 2007 upset of USC. Shafer's defense at Stanford ranked fifth in the nation with 37 sacks and posted 101 tackles for loss, which was good for 11th in the country. The numbers were the Cardinal's best since their Rose Bowl season of 1999.
as the Wolverines' new defensive coordinator. At the time, Shafer said, "Actually, it's very similar to the Stanford job. I really didn't know Rich [Rodriguez]. I actually called him about a job at West Virginia a few years back and I didn't get to speak to Rich then. But I did send in a resume. I think he just charted my progress over the years. He said he's always interested in guys who have worked their way up the ladder and ground their way through the profession. He always thought if there was an opportunity, maybe he'd give me a call. Here came the opportunity and it worked out pretty well. ... To me, it's a once-in-a-lifetime job, a chance to coordinate Michigan."
Shafer became close with former Michigan quarterback and Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh
during his year as Harbaugh's defensive coordinator. On accepting the Michigan job, Shafer said, "It was tough leaving Stanford. Working with Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, we had a blast. I felt like we were doing something special there. But I'm really excited to be here. There are a few jobs you drop everything for, and this is one of them. My wife, Missy, my family - they're fired up to be here." Harbaugh described Shafer as "one of the most creative and innovative defensive minds in the country."
In his contract with Michigan, Rich Rodriguez negotiated a $1.95-million pool for his nine assistant coaches and the head football strength coach. That means each would have an average salary of $195,000, though the Detroit Free Press
reported that offensive coordinator Calvin Magee
and defensive coordinator Scott Shafer would likely receive larger shares.
as defensive coordinator for the Syracuse Orange football team
.
Shafer quickly took over and changed the defense from being one of the most porous defenses in the country and made them a respectable group of players.
Shafer explained his defensive philosophy this way: "Scheme is overrated, I've always believed that. What's not overrated is getting your kids to play with great effort, great attitude and great enthusiasm. Those are things we can control on a daily basis, and that will be my primary goal. . . . The philosophy of our defense is attack-oriented, attack and react. We want to be a defense this is multiple, that is always putting pressure and forcing the hand of the offense. We want to be a penetrating defense. If you're going to (ask) what our objectives are? The one thing we want to do is stop the run, force them to throw the ball on first down, create negative plays on first down . . . and get ourselves in position to force them to throw the ball. Get them one-dimensional. We don't want to be a defense that sits back. We want to be a defense that creates turnovers and scores touchdowns."
Similarly, he told the Detroit Free Press
: "We're an attack defense; scheme is overrated. All schemes can work if you tackle and keep the ball in front. We're an aggressive defense, force the offense's hand. We're going to stop the run on early downs and force the pass. We'll get situations where when we are forcing the pass, we hit the quarterback, forcing him to throw the ball into coverage."
Speaking to The Toledo Blade
, Shafer said three goals are paramount in his defensive game plan: stopping the run, pressuring the quarterback and "creating on defense." Shafer said: "Our primary goal is always stop the run, lead the conference in sacks, lead the conference in interceptions and defensive scores. That's the way it's always been everywhere I've been, and that's the way it'll be here at Michigan."
."
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach who is currently the defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
football team
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
. He resigned in December 2008 as the defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
football team after less than one year on the job. He was a high school and college quarterback in Ohio at Riverside High School
Riverside High School (Painesville, Ohio)
Riverside High School is a public high school in Painesville Township, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Riverside Local School District . The first classes were held in September of 1949 and the first class of seniors graduated in 1952...
, Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
, and Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin–Wallace College is a liberal arts college in Berea, Ohio, founded in 1845. It is home to the Riemenschneider-Bach Institute and the Baldwin–Wallace Conservatory of Music, an internationally renowned music school. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Students receive a...
. Before accepting the defensive coordinator job at Michigan, Shafer was an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
(1993–1995), Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
(1995–2003), the University of Illinois (2004), Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
(2005–2006), and Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
(2007).
Youth in Ohio
An Ohio native, Shafer's father, Ron Shafer, was a high school football and track coach at Riverside High SchoolRiverside High School (Painesville, Ohio)
Riverside High School is a public high school in Painesville Township, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Riverside Local School District . The first classes were held in September of 1949 and the first class of seniors graduated in 1952...
in Painesville, Ohio
Painesville, Ohio
As of the 2010 Census, there were 19,563 people. As of the census of 2000, there were 17,503 people, 6,525 households, and 4,032 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,928.6 people per square mile . There were 6,933 housing units at an average density of 1,160.0 per square mile...
. In 1978, Shafer's father had open heart surgery; he called Bo Schembechler
Bo Schembechler
Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler, Jr. was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8...
, told him he was a football coach and had met him a few times, and asked Schembechler if he could write a letter to his boys. Schembechler did, telling Scott and his brother to be brave. The family had the letter framed. His father ultimately died in 1995 at age 54 after coaching for 28 years at Riverside High.
Shafer's mother said her husband idolized Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
and that the family rooted for Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
. But Shafer was more diplomatic, saying, "I was a Big Ten fan growing up. We had Ohio State and Michigan fans in our family. One thing my dad always said was whoever wins that game, you root for that team in the bowl game."
High school and college football
Shafer is a 1985 graduate of Riverside High School where he was the quarterback and 1984 Northeastern Conference Most Valuable Player. In 1985, Shafer played quarterback at Ohio UniversityOhio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
in the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
. He suffered a knee injury while at Ohio and underwent surgery.
After the 1985 season, Shafer transferred to Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin–Wallace College is a liberal arts college in Berea, Ohio, founded in 1845. It is home to the Riemenschneider-Bach Institute and the Baldwin–Wallace Conservatory of Music, an internationally renowned music school. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Students receive a...
in Berea, Ohio
Berea, Ohio
- History :The first European settlers were originally from Connecticut. Berea fell within Connecticut's Western Reserve and was surveyed and divided into townships and ranges by one Gideon Granger, a gentleman who served as Postmaster General under President Thomas Jefferson...
, where he played quarterback for the Yellow Jackets from 1987-1989. Playing in the Yellow Jackets' "run-and-shoot" offense, Shafer was ranked 17th in the nation in passing efficiency and earned team MVP honors. In 1989, he led the Yellow Jackets to a 5-2-1 record. In the final game of the 1989 season, Shafer was 16-for-31 passing for 237 yards and three touchdowns, throwing a 55-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Wrobel with 2:52 left to play for a 25-19 win over previously unbeaten John Carroll University
John Carroll University
John Carroll University is a private, co-educational Jesuit Catholic university in University Heights, Ohio, United States, a suburb of Cleveland. The university was founded in 1886 by the Society of Jesus as Saint Ignatius College.The university was founded in 1886 by the Society of Jesus, as...
. He finished the 1989 season with a 139.39 passing efficiency rating, best in the Ohio Athletic Conference
Ohio Athletic Conference
The Ohio Athletic Conference was formed in 1902 and is the third oldest athletic conference in the United States. It competes in the NCAA's Division III. Through the years, 31 schools have been members of the OAC. The enrollments of the current ten member institutions range from 1,100 to 4,500...
. He earned a Bachelor's degree in education from Baldwin-Wallace in 1990. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
head coach Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
is also a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College.
Coaching career
Shafer began his coaching career as a graduate assistant to Bill MalloryBill Mallory
William G. "Bill" Mallory is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Miami University , the University of Colorado at Boulder , Northern Illinois University , and Indiana University , compiling a career college football record of...
at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
from 1991-1992. He also earned a master’s degree in education from Indiana in 1993. He next coached the secondary at the University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
from 1993-1995.
Shafer spent eight years as an assistant coach at Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
— the first four as secondary coach — before adding defensive coordinator duties in 2000. Throughout his career at Northern Illinois, Shafer's players earned 13 All-MAC
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
selections. Under Shafer, Northern Illinois ranked among the top three teams in MAC scoring defense in 2002 and 2003. His 2002 unit led the MAC in interceptions, takeaways, scoring defense, run defense and pass sacks. During the 2003 season, Northern Illinois was ranked as high as No. 12 in the AP poll, recorded its first 10-win season in 20 years, and had three victories over BCS teams while holding them to an average of 15 points per game.
In 2004, he was hired as the secondary coach at the University of Illinois. Working with Illinois head coach Ron Turner
Ron Turner (football coach)
Ron Turner is an American football coach. He is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Indianapolis Colts. He was previously the head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini football team from 1997 to 2004...
, Shafer coached cornerback Kelvin Hayden
Kelvin Hayden
Kelvin Darnell Hayden, Jr. is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Illinois. He returned a Rex Grossman interception 56 yards for a...
, who led the Big Ten Conference in interceptions and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
in the second round of the NFL Draft. While Shafer was coaching at Illinois, the team's defensive coordinator was former Michigan linebacker, Mike Mallory
Mike Mallory
Mike Mallory is a former American football linebacker who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1982 to 1985. He was the Most Valuable Player for the 1984 Wolverines team and was a finalist for the Butkus Award in 1985...
. Shafer and Mallory had also worked together at Northern Illinois. Mallory noted that Shafer's experience as a quarterback helped him as a defensive coach: "He knows how to get into quarterbacks' heads and what to do to throw them off their game."
In December 2004, he was hired by Bill Cubit
Bill Cubit
-External links:*...
at Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
, where he was the defensive coordinator from 2005-2006. Western Michigan was 1-10 the year before Shafer arrived, then went 7-4 in 2005 and 8-5 in 2006. In 2006, the Broncos ranked first in the nation in interceptions (24) and sacks (46), sixth in run defense, seventh in turnover margin and 11th in total defense. The Broncos' rush defense (76.1 yards per game) in 2006 set a MAC record for fewest rushing yards allowed per game. Shafer was a nominee for the Broyles Award
Broyles Award
The Broyles Award is an annual award given to honor the best assistant coach in college football. First awarded in 1996, it was named after former University of Arkansas men's athletic director Frank Broyles...
as the top assistant coach in the nation.
In 2007, he was the defensive coordinator for Stanford
Stanford Cardinal
The Stanford Cardinal is the nickname of the athletic teams at Stanford University.-Nickname and mascot history:Following its win over Cal in the first-ever Big Game in 1892, the color cardinal was picked as the primary color of Stanford's athletic teams...
, where he was part of the Cardinal's October 6, 2007 upset of USC. Shafer's defense at Stanford ranked fifth in the nation with 37 sacks and posted 101 tackles for loss, which was good for 11th in the country. The numbers were the Cardinal's best since their Rose Bowl season of 1999.
Hiring
In early January 2008, Shafer was hired by the University of Michigan's new head coach Rich RodriguezRich Rodriguez
Richard A. "Rich" Rodriguez is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arizona. Rodriguez previously served as the head football coach at Salem University , Glenville State College , West Virginia University , and the University...
as the Wolverines' new defensive coordinator. At the time, Shafer said, "Actually, it's very similar to the Stanford job. I really didn't know Rich [Rodriguez]. I actually called him about a job at West Virginia a few years back and I didn't get to speak to Rich then. But I did send in a resume. I think he just charted my progress over the years. He said he's always interested in guys who have worked their way up the ladder and ground their way through the profession. He always thought if there was an opportunity, maybe he'd give me a call. Here came the opportunity and it worked out pretty well. ... To me, it's a once-in-a-lifetime job, a chance to coordinate Michigan."
Shafer became close with former Michigan quarterback and Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh
James Joseph "Jim" Harbaugh is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2011. Previously, he was the head coach at...
during his year as Harbaugh's defensive coordinator. On accepting the Michigan job, Shafer said, "It was tough leaving Stanford. Working with Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, we had a blast. I felt like we were doing something special there. But I'm really excited to be here. There are a few jobs you drop everything for, and this is one of them. My wife, Missy, my family - they're fired up to be here." Harbaugh described Shafer as "one of the most creative and innovative defensive minds in the country."
In his contract with Michigan, Rich Rodriguez negotiated a $1.95-million pool for his nine assistant coaches and the head football strength coach. That means each would have an average salary of $195,000, though the Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
reported that offensive coordinator Calvin Magee
Calvin Magee
Calvin Magee is a former professional American football player who played tight end for four seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1985 to 1988...
and defensive coordinator Scott Shafer would likely receive larger shares.
Resignation
Coach Rich Rodriguez announced on December 16, 2008 that Shafer had resigned after one season as defensive coordinator. In Shafer's only season as Michigan's defensive coordinator, the team was ranked 68th in total defense, 87th in pass defense and 80th in scoring defense among all Division 1 teams. The 2008 Wolverines allowed 28.9 points per game, the first time in the team's history that its defense had allowed even 24 points per game. Shafer told The Detroit News by telephone: "Bottom line is, I take full responsibility for the demise of the Michigan program. I accept all the responsibility." Asked by the Detroit Free Press if it was actually a resignation, Shafer said, "Yes, it is accurate. We just had a mutual decision. We had different thoughts on the way we did things." Rodriguez noted, "Scott and I agreed that moving in a different direction was in the best interest of the program. I appreciate Scott's hard work on behalf of Michigan football the past year. He is a good football coach, a good person and a true professional. We wish him well in the future."Syracuse
On January 5, 2009, Shafer was hired by head coach Doug MarroneDoug Marrone
Douglas Charles Marrone is an American football coach. He currently serves as head coach of the Syracuse University Orange, replacing Greg Robinson...
as defensive coordinator for the Syracuse Orange football team
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
.
Shafer quickly took over and changed the defense from being one of the most porous defenses in the country and made them a respectable group of players.
Coaching and defensive philosophy
Shafer said his father was his greatest coaching role model. He noted: "My dad always said a good coach can coach any position, and a good coach can coach any scheme. We'll come up with an excellent scheme that is simple enough to let the kids attack and play with great aggression."Shafer explained his defensive philosophy this way: "Scheme is overrated, I've always believed that. What's not overrated is getting your kids to play with great effort, great attitude and great enthusiasm. Those are things we can control on a daily basis, and that will be my primary goal. . . . The philosophy of our defense is attack-oriented, attack and react. We want to be a defense this is multiple, that is always putting pressure and forcing the hand of the offense. We want to be a penetrating defense. If you're going to (ask) what our objectives are? The one thing we want to do is stop the run, force them to throw the ball on first down, create negative plays on first down . . . and get ourselves in position to force them to throw the ball. Get them one-dimensional. We don't want to be a defense that sits back. We want to be a defense that creates turnovers and scores touchdowns."
Similarly, he told the Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
: "We're an attack defense; scheme is overrated. All schemes can work if you tackle and keep the ball in front. We're an aggressive defense, force the offense's hand. We're going to stop the run on early downs and force the pass. We'll get situations where when we are forcing the pass, we hit the quarterback, forcing him to throw the ball into coverage."
Speaking to The Toledo Blade
The Blade (newspaper)
The Blade is a daily newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, first published on December 19, 1835.- Overview :David Ross Locke gained national fame for the paper during the Civil War era by writing under the pen name Petroleum V. Nasby. Writing under the pen name, Locke wrote satires ranging on topics from...
, Shafer said three goals are paramount in his defensive game plan: stopping the run, pressuring the quarterback and "creating on defense." Shafer said: "Our primary goal is always stop the run, lead the conference in sacks, lead the conference in interceptions and defensive scores. That's the way it's always been everywhere I've been, and that's the way it'll be here at Michigan."
Family
Shafer and his wife Missy have a son, Wolfgang, and a daughter, Elsa, who recently went to Heritage School in Saline, Michigan. On being hired at Michigan, Shafer said he and his family look forward to living in "one place for a few years." When Shafer called home after accepting the Michigan job, his son called back singing Michigan's fight song, "The VictorsThe Victors
"The Victors" is the fight song of the University of Michigan . It was composed by UM student Louis Elbel in 1898 following the last-minute football victory over the University of Chicago that clinched a league championship...
."