Mike Barwis, the Michigan football team's highly touted director of strength and conditioning, isn't the only new strength coach making an impact in Ann Arbor this year.

Mike Curtis, who spent the past six years working with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, is the new women’s basketball strength and conditioning coach.

He said his main objective is to “make better athletes.”

“Whether that be movement, whether that be getting them stronger,” Curtis said. “Whatever it takes for them to perform better on the floor.”

Men’s basketball coach John Beilein originally approached Curtis, but he signed to coach both the men’s and women’s teams, and Olympic sports. He said he was drawn to Michigan because he was excited to be part of a program that is still defining itself.

“There was something special about Michigan,” Curtis said. “It’s a program that’s trying to make a statement, and I wanted to be a part of that.”

He said the full effects of the training may not show themselves for several years.

“We’re looking for what’s hampering in their athletic ability, and we’re addressing those needs,” Curtis said. “Over the course of three or four years, they’re going to be more explosive athletes.”

Senior forward Ashley Jones said the players are seeing results already.

“It’s really beneficial. We can combine what we’re learning in the weight room on the court. It’s helping a lot.”

Jones said Curtis’s NBA experience gave him instant credibility with the team. But assistant coach Mike Williams said it had little to do with his hiring.

“The NBA thing wasn’t important at all,” Williams said. “He’s very well-read in the newer modes of training. He’s very updated.”

Curtis often works 15-hour days. According to Williams, when Curtis isn't working with players, he spends much of his time on the team’s elliptical machine, reading books on new training methods.

Along with increasing the team’s explosiveness and agility, Williams said injury prevention was a significant aspect of Curtis’s job.

To lower the risk of injury, Curtis has focused on stretching, balance movement and strengthening the muscles surrounding joints.

With Curtis, the Wolverines are looking forward to a strong, healthy start of the season.