A New Direction for the Wolverines
The University of Michigan has taken a page from the National Football League playbook by restructuring its front office. The move reflects a growing trend across college programs to adopt professional‑style management structures, emphasizing specialized roles and streamlined decision‑making.
Dave Peloquin, a veteran executive with a background in player personnel, now oversees the entire football operation as general manager. Skylar Phan, previously a high‑school recruiting coordinator, has been tapped to lead the recruiting department, while Ron Bellamy, who spent the last two seasons as wide receivers coach, moves into a director of player personnel role. The trio brings a blend of scouting, analytics and on‑field experience to the position.
The reshuffling comes after John Collins, the former assistant director of player personnel, accepted a scouting position with the Detroit Lions. In his place, the Wolverines have hired Alec Bailey, a former SMU player personnel specialist, to serve as a recruiting analyst. Bailey, a Hendrix College graduate with a business degree, spent nearly two years at SMU before joining Michigan, bringing a fresh perspective and a track record of talent identification.
Bailey’s transition is part of a broader exodus of Michigan staff to the professional ranks. In the past year, former employees such as Jack Dunaway have joined the Seattle Seahawks, Josh Meyer signed with the Cleveland Browns, and Jack Turner earned a spot on the Tennessee Titans roster. Their moves underscore the program’s increasing influence on the NFL pipeline.
The restructuring signals a strategic shift toward a more data‑driven and professionally managed program. By integrating experienced personnel from both college and pro backgrounds, Michigan aims to enhance its recruiting reach, improve player development and maintain competitiveness in an increasingly complex landscape.