Coach Schembechler employed, psychology in everything he did. He knew that purposive behavior/positive valence goals stoked competition. He knew that aversive stimulation or negative reinforcement worked, too. He also knew about intrinsic motivation(such as the desire to practice in order to become a better football player) and extrinsic motivation(such as a team win over OSU or MSU in red-letter games), as powerful motivators. Schembechler made it clear to his troops, “ Do it my way or the highway, and do it right the first time.” His communications were clear, not ambiguous.

He also was cognizant that success has a positive incentive value(it was important for his team, important for the coaches, important for the University, important for the tradition). It increased players’ motivation and their behaviors associated with achieving the goal. Achievement and competitiveness, were in the psychological DNA of the exceptional group of men that he was leading. He knew they would avoid failure at any cost.

Another significant and an important part of Bo’s psychological genius was related to conditioning. Bo Schembechler believed that being in top physical condition resulted not only in intellectual growth, but also in the development of mental toughness. The young warriors realized that if they could survive Bo’s practices during the spring and fall, game day would be a breeze.

Perhaps,Coach Schembechler’s most significant contribution to success was his ability to get the most out of his young players by changing their thought process. He did that by challenging them, getting them to believe that the impossible was possible. His young men began to believe in him, in the team, and in themselves. The team mind-set changed, barriers and obstacles were overcome, and their on- field performance reached new heights. As these young men began to fulfill their football potential, their confidence soared. The sky was the limit.

Bo was, simply, a master social psychologist, a teacher/sage/mentor to the group of the highly athletic and competitive young men recruited by his predecessor, Bump Elliott. The 1968 team, which had an 8-2 record, had promised a high probability of success for that 69 season. With the crystallization of the team’s goal, the cohesiveness of personalities, and their commitment to one another, the outcome of success left little doubt. Indeed, the foundation of Wolverine’s football success was set in stone for years to come.