CMU Media Day: Q&A with Albert Karschnia, Director of Player Personnel

Central Michigan football has found its new Director of Player Personnel in Albert Karschnia, who graduated from the University of Michigan in 2015.

His involvement in Ann Arbor included handling alumni relations and professional development for the university's Sport Business Association, along with being a pivotal voice for the football program's recruiting efforts.

Karschnia was first introduced to the Chippewas in high school at Orchard Lake St. Mary's, where his junior varsity coach, James Gonzales, played linebacker for CMU from 2000-01. His father has also coached at OLSM for the last 25 years.

Chippewa Country caught up with Karschnia on Sunday during CMU Media Day to discuss his time at Michigan, why he made the move north of the state and his aspirations with the new position.

Chippewa Country: What can you take away from your time at Michigan?

Karschnia: Obviously, just being around so many successful people with a lot of different backgrounds, from the NFL, to college, to really successful high school programs. I think the common theme was that everyone worked hard and you realized that you can accomplish a lot of really good things when surrounded by hard working people.

Most memorable moment?

The first bowl game (under Jim Harabugh) was great, the Florida game, because you went into it really wanting to reach the 10-win mark. To come out and play like we did against the Gators was great.

A couple months later, the Signing with the Stars was a huge signing day for us. Ric Flair, Derek Jeter and Tom Brady showed up, and then Migos is up on stage with Jim Leyland, it was just bizarre.

I'm backstage with Chris Partridge (Michigan Recruiting Coordinator) and we're waiting for Rashan Gary's announcement so he was doing it during the event. I had the video on my phone and (Partridge) is texting all of his people back in Paramus (NJ), asking 'what's going to happen, what's going to happen' but nobody really knew.

Finally, (Gary) picks Michigan and we were behind the stage going nuts. At this point, we didn't care what was going on other than knowing that we got him. It was a long process but that's one I remember fondly.

Explain in detail your role with Central Michigan?

As Director of Player Personnel, it's really just roster management, a lot of it. From a recruiting standpoint to also working wth the coaches on managing their travel rosters on game weeks.

Also, working with the coaches to see what they're looking for in each player in their position group so that we can do a good job of trying to recruit the best players in the country that fit what they're seeking.

Not just from a talent perspective but from a character and academic perspective, you know, trying to find the right 105 guys that give us the best opportunity to win a MAC Championship.

Was your knowledge of CMU solid before accepting the position?

Absolutely, I mean, I grew up in Michigan and knew about Central Michigan football, understanding the quality of football within the Mid-American Conference. But the opportunity kind of came out of the blue and it was something that I was really excited about because it gave me a chance to use the ties I have within the state and really try to help build something special.

What's your relationship with CMU quarterback Shane Morris?

I knew Shane well at Michigan, even though I was a couple years older than him. But being around the program, I obviously saw him almost every day in the building. We get along well.

Your first impressions of head coach John Bonomego?

I love him.

He's one of the best people I've ever been around, even though I've been here for only a week and a half. I've heard nothing but great things about him from everyone that's played and worked with him. That was a big factor in coming here when we first started discussing it.

Coach Harabugh's father, Jack, actually came and found me in the building in Ann Arbor and he was just going on-and-on about what a great coach and great person Bono is and how great of a relationship him and John Harbaugh had for being a special team's guy for so long.

I think he's a great coach and he loves this program. He loves the players and he really cares about their development on-and-off the field. He's someone that loves football and uses it to help people grow.

You feel like you've been acclimated here so far?

I think so, I mean, I'm still getting my feet wet. It's camp, you know, we go into the building before the sun rises and leave well after the sun sets. I've gotten to know most of the football staff pretty well already and we've all been working well so far.

Favorite part about Mount Pleasant?

I haven't really done anything yet. My first day here was when I started working. [Laughs] I did go to Meijer once which is right across the street from my house, but that's about it.

Goals?

From a recruiting standpoint, everyone gets caught up in star ratings, whether its Scout, 247Sports or Rivals. For me, all of those services are great and they've done a good job in following kids and really turned recruiting into an element of its own. But I want to bring kids here that fit our program model and fit the goals that coach Bono has laid out for the team.

I want kids who excel on the field and in the community. Sometimes they are a zero star kid, I mean, you look at a guy like Tyler Conklin who walked on after playing college basketball but turns into one of the nation's best tight ends. Or you look at someone like Shane Morris, who was a five-star who struggled a little bit at Michigan but is playing really well here in practice.

There are a lot of different stories coming around here but at the end of the day, if you fill your meeting rooms with the right kids, you'll find success.