4 months ago
- Wolverines
- Updated: Jan. 06, 2026, 10:30 a.m.
- Published: Jan. 06, 2026, 10:28 a.m.
ALLEN PARK -- Aside from his longtime staffers, who see his boy and brother, arguably nary 1 knows Michigan shot coach Kyle Whittingham amended than Sione Vaki.
Before nan Lions selected Vaki successful nan 4th information of nan 2024 NFL draft, he played aggregate positions nether Whittingham during his 2 seasons (2022-2023) astatine Utah. Playing for nan tough-nosed coach, Vaki would go a Second-team All-American (2023) on pinch being a two-time First-team All-Pac-12 some arsenic a information and typical teams player.
As Lions players cleaned retired their lockers connected Monday, Vaki concisely said pinch MLive astir his erstwhile coach leaving his alma mater and landing successful Ann Arbor.
“Shoot, to beryllium honest, for illustration I was conscionable explaining earlier, I deliberation erstwhile I came here, I thought Coach Whittingham was beautiful intimidating, and things for illustration that, but (Lions coach) Dan (Campbell) benignant of takes nan barroom connected that,” Vaki said. “But I do consciousness for illustration there’s akin coaching styles. Coach Whittingham loves to beryllium physical, and erstwhile it comes to practices, I consciousness for illustration it’s for illustration nan aged ways. It’s not (about) conscionable keeping players healthy.
“It’s like, we sewage to spell done immoderate adversity successful believe earlier nan crippled truthful that erstwhile adversity hits successful nan game, we’ve been done it already passim nan week. I consciousness for illustration he’s cleanable for Michigan, if I’m being honest, because of nan style of play that I spot present successful nan Lions and that Dan brings. I deliberation it’ll spell good pinch nan authorities of Michigan.”
After playing each 16 games arsenic a rookie, Vaki appeared successful conscionable 11 this play arsenic a bid of injuries -- groin, ankle, and thumb -- constricted his availability. Primarily a typical teamer, Vaki saw his threat count driblet from 310 to 187.
When asked what Michigan players will study astir Whittingham, Vaki pointed to nan biggest instruction he took from his erstwhile coach -- 1 that besides frames really he’s approaching his 3rd play successful Detroit.
“Just readiness is nan champion ability, and that nan champion players are going to play,” Vaki said. “There’s nary favoritism. It’s conscionable astir winning. Doesn’t everyone?”
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