The evolution (and relaxation) of Michigan coach John Beilein – Detroit Free Press

Free Press sports writers Jeff Seidel and Mark Snyder discuss Sunday's matchup between Michigan and Louisville in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Video by Mark Snyder, DFP.

Michigan Wolverines head coach John Beilein on the bench during the second half of U-M's 92-91 win over Oklahoma State on Friday, March 17, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis in the NCAA tournament.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, DFP)Buy Photo

INDIANAPOLIS The player introductions already had started, but Michigan coach John Beilein continued coaching like crazy.

On Friday afternoon, Beilein drew up a play on a white clipboard and showed it to his team, even though some of his players already were being announced.

Nothing unusual about that. Thats typical Beilein, being hyper-attentive to details. He tries to use every last second to prepare, almost oblivious that life exists outside that huddle. This is a guy who wouldnt realize its his birthday, if you didnt tell him.

Then came the surprise.

Beilein did something totally out of character on Friday. He turned around and faced the crowd in Bankers Life Fieldhouse. He flipped his clipboard around, held it up and showed it to his son, Patrick, who was sitting in the stands behind the bench.

It looked like a bunch of scribbles on a white board, but Patrick Beilein recognized it immediately.

He was showing me the first play that they were going to run, Patrick Beilein said this morning.

Let's meet Louisville, Michigan's opponent in the second round of the 2017 NCAA tournament Sunday, March, 19. Wochit

If there is anything that can symbolize how much John Beilein has changed, it was that moment before the Wolverines beat Oklahoma State in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.

Beilein is more relaxed. More aware that life exists off the court. Hes, dare I say, more comfortable?

I think he was just showing it to be fun, Patrick Beilein said. I think that shows how loose he is. He never would have done that in the past. He would be so zoned in. Now, hes still really coaching hard, but hes having fun doing it.

Hold on folks, cause this is about to get seriously fun.

Related:

Took a minute, but plane crash has John Beilein appreciating life

Michigan's John Beilein's blueprint for NCAA openers: Prepare and rest

Sunday, Michigan will play Louisville in a game that features all kinds of plot lines. There have been so many memorable games between Cardinals coach Rick Pitino and Beilein.

The 2013national championship game, when Pitino's Cardinals won, 82-76. The 2005 regional final when Beilein was coaching at West Virginia; another nail-biter that Pitino won.

It's the games coaches never forget.

But even more than the history, there's a story of fathers and their sons.

Pitino's son Richard coaches at Minnesota, a team the Wolverines beat last Saturday in a Big Ten tournament semifinal.

Im sure he is getting a scouting report from his son, John Beilein said.

Michigan Wolverines head coach John Beilein talks with reporters before practicing for their first round NCAA tournament game against Oklahoma State on Thursday March 16, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, DFP)

Just as John Beilein is getting help from his son, Patrick, who is the coach at Le Moyne College.

As Michigan played Oklahoma State on Friday, Patrick shouted out a couple of play suggestions from the stands. John Beilein used them in the game, and they worked.

It was something I saw on the D, the way they were playing, Patrick Beilein said. They had run it one time in the first half and scored off it. I just didnt understand why he wasnt going back to it. It was something that was so wide open. When they did the run the play, I was like, that shot better go in.

It did.

After the Wolverines scored on a play that Patrick Beilein had suggested John Beilein turned around and looked into the stands.

I looked back at you, but you didnt make eye contact, John Beilein said to his son late Friday night.

I was focusing on the D, dad, Patrick Beilein said.

Patrick Beilein is staying in a hotel room, which is connected to his fathers room in Indianapolis.

Related:

Michigan vs. Louisville scouting report: Who has the edge?

Michigan-Louisville revives memories of 2013 championship loss

Late Friday night, they met for about an hour and talked about the victory over Oklahoma State and Sunday's matchup against Louisville.

He kind of gave me the quick game plan of Louisville, what they are looking for, Patrick Beilein said. Weve had some great battles with Louisville.

Minnesota runs a similar offense to the Cardinals. Which figures: Like father like son, right?

Similar sets, Patrick Beilein said. But not all. Its very similar concepts.

Patrick Beilein went into pure coach-speak, sounding like his father by rattling off several things the Wolverines will have to do to beat Louisville.

They are going to have to make shots over length, Patrick Beilein said. If you can defend a couple of actions, you have to limit them to one possession. They are very long and athletic. When they do shoot it, you cant allow second chance opportunities.

As I said: Like father, like son.

On the other side of this story is Rick Pitino. He saw Michigan play earlier this season in Minnesota, when he was visiting his son.

I was actually at the Michigan-Minnesota game live where Minnesota won in overtime, Rick Pitino said. Their power forward, center, two-guard, whatever they call him, made a shot from 15 feet behind the line to put it into overtime as if it was a layup. So I happen to know Michigan very well.

Michigan Wolverines head coach John Beilein on the bench against Oklahoma State during the first half of U-M's 92-91 win Friday, March 17, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis in the NCAA tournament.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, DFP)

Yes, his son Richard has given him a scouting report about Michigan and is said to be on his way to Indy.

He gave me his thoughts on the game, Rick Pitino said. Since the time I've seen them, they've gotten a lot more confident and a lot better. And I think it really stems from the play of their point guard.

Michigan has been on a tremendous run, winning 11 of their past 13 games. The whole team has evolved.

Just as Beilein has evolved and changed. You can see it during games when he smiles. Or during the post-game celebrations, when he gets into water fights with his players. Now, hes taking water in with him into the locker roomand hes dousing them, just as they douse him.

Hes very relaxed, Patrick Beilein said. Ive seen him smile more, over these last few days, whether it was a FaceTime with him after he won the Big Ten tournament championship, until I got to Indy. Hes very relaxed. Hes smiling. He was always so uptight, no matter how many games hes coached at this level, whether its an NCAA game or an exhibition. He takes every one of them serious. Ive seen a change in him, being relaxed, just enjoying the moment.

Maybe, some of it is a byproduct of the plane crash. Maybe.

But there is no question he is more emotional, whether its his voice cracking during pregame speeches or in his smiles after the games, his shirt drenched with water.

Clearly, hes more loose and appreciative.

And he's having as much fun as his team.

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@seideljeff. To read his recent columns, go tofreep.com/sports/jeff-seidel/.

Read more:

The evolution (and relaxation) of Michigan coach John Beilein - Detroit Free Press