Harbaugh Discusses Road Traveled Through Pandemic, Team with Great Promise
7/9/2020 10:35:00 AM | Football, Features
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Jim Harbaugh spoke to reporters on a Zoom conference Wednesday (July 8) with a background photo of Michigan Stadium packed for a night game. It's an image University of Michigan football fans have been looking forward to ever since sports took a back seat to the necessary focus on doing everything possible to combat COVID-19.
Spring practices were canceled in March, student-athletes took classes online, coaches returned home as did most of the players, and a slow and careful process began leading up to the beginning of preseason practices July 24. Players returned to Schembechler Hall three weeks ago, and only two positive asymptomatic coronavirus tests have resulted since.
Harbaugh addressed what life has been like for him and his players in his first group media session since the Jan. 1 bowl game in Orlando.
Michigan sent four of five starting offensive linemen and its quarterback to the NFL since then, and their replacements were an important part of the conversation -- along with how incoming freshman defensive back R.J. Moten (who will also play baseball for the Wolverines) and nose tackle Donovan Jeter have blown him away by taking great strides.
He touched on the schedule possibilities for 2020, leadership, his contract extension discussions, dealing with COVID and many other topics.
Harbaugh's first question was about the possibility of the Big Ten pushing its season back from the fall to the spring, a point of discussion nationwide:
"My thoughts would be. I mean, it's a different conversation if there's no students on campus. If students are on campus then, my personal belief, as a parent of a daughter (Wolverine water polo player Grace Harbaugh) who would also be on campus, that this is a safe place. As safe as possible would be within our university, even in our athletic buildings and complexes. The safety precautions that have been put into place, I would feel good. With the medical oversight for the students, student-athletes, students in general. I would want the responsibility. I would want the responsibility of keeping our players safe and also educating them. Would not want to come off that guard tower of educating and keeping our players safe.
"Now, if it comes to a point in time where you say that we can't play -- it's obvious, it's clear -- then everybody would be reasonable and know that that was the right thing to do. COVID is part of our society, wasn't caused by football or caused by sports. There's no expert view right now that I'm aware of or agreeing expert views that sports is going to make that worse. It's part of our society and we're going to have to deal with it. These kids have to do the same thing. They've gotta go to school. They've been training their whole lives for the opportunity to play their sport. That's my view with the knowledge that we have and time to learn more about it. It would be my responsibility, our responsibility and the players' responsibility also to keep themselves safe. Also to get the schooling and the training that they need."
How has the team fared with the coronavirus testing?
"It's been really good," said Harbaugh. "Overall, I think the numbers were, the amount tested, every student-athlete that's come back to campus has been tested. Now it's our entire football team and I know some of the other sports -- men's basketball, women's basketball and some others. Heard the numbers the other day: north of 530 that have been tested. The two that came in had tested positive, quarantined, isolated. All the protocols were put into place. There hasn't been any symptoms since and there has been nobody that's tested positive since.
"I would say really so far, so good. I really believe and trust in the protocols that we put in place as an athletic department. Darryl Conway (the athletic department's chief health and welfare officer) deserves a lot of credit for that. He's done a tremendous job. Phil Johnson, our athletic trainer. Dr. (Asheesh) Bedi, Sami Rafat -- all those doctors that we've been in weekly contact with, if not daily, in many cases.
Harbaugh was asked for an update on his young family with four school-age children, and touched on his parents, Jack and Jackie, who also happen to be neighbors.
"My mom and dad have to be married like 58 years," he said. "They've never spent more time together than they have this year, and it was the coolest thing to watch. Glad my kids get to see it."
The quarantine has brought them all even closer?
"Yeah," said Harbaugh, "no doubt. It's been really good from that perspective. We try to make memories."
He was asked about the incoming freshmen having to handle quite a different beginning, and praised the group for "very maturely" dealing with the challenges, seeing that same approach in his own children:
"The young guys, my own kids -- that first week, I remember, when there was no school, 'You're not going to school' -- speaking of my own kids now and the players here -- it was like, 'Woo! This is great!' But it wasn't but a week or two until everybody was like, my own kids were like, 'We could go back to school. We wanna go to school! But you can't. Here's what we can do and let's get on that. Let's get all our work done from home.'
"Saw the same thing with the players. They wanted the academic stimulus, they wanted the workout stimulus. Within a week or some the next day, but most within a week or two. And our guys in the weight room did a good job. I thought Ben Herbert and his staff were incredible. They filmed videos, they sent workouts. Even if a guy didn't have access to a gym, he could just have a room somewhere inside or outside, what they could do without weights, body weight exercises. I thought that was incredible.
"Claiborne Green, our academic advisor, did an incredible job throughout the rest of the winter term and now into the spring term. We had our best semester in the winter term in terms of grade-point average and our academics. So that's a compliment to our staff here as well as each of the individual players."
Now, with the season less than two months away, is there a possibility of the scheduled Sept. 5 opener at Washington being shelved or of a revamped season focused more on Big Ten or Midwestern play?
"The scenario, the (scheduled) plan, is the one that you're hoping and praying for," said Harbaugh. "Because, as I said, these youngsters have put in a lot of training, really their whole lives, for these moments.
"To your question: is that (scheduling adjustment) possible? Would I support that? Yes, those different scenarios. I think our athletic directors, administration, Big Ten commissioner, coaches will all have those conversations and continue to have those conversations. Exactly what the schedule will be, what's the first game, when we're going to kick off, all those things, hopefully there's an announcement made in the coming weeks, this month."
Would moving games to spring to potentially increase attendance be a good move?
"I share the same opinion as our players," Harbaugh said. "They want to play. As I've said, they've been training their whole lives for this and these opportunities. Put the question to them, which I have, and they would rather play than not play. They would rather play in front of no fans than to not play."
When play begins, does Harbaugh believe he has a championship contender?
He said: "Yeah, so far, I really do. It's been a tremendous offseason. It was a great winter cycle that was interrupted. But even at that time, you could really see from a team perspective -- talent and work ethic, too. I'd also add their leadership. It's a very strong team in terms of that. That continued through in those three or four months when guys were away from here … I see that same momentum. The guys invested a lot and they're very excited. And they're also leading by example and they're leading each other, and it's been at a very high level. The workouts get tougher and time demands get tougher. But so far, so good in terms of the commitment of the team."
Harbaugh is replacing two-year quarterback starter Shea Patterson, who signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs, and has one top-flight quarterback from each of the last three recruiting classes.
"I'm very excited about the quarterbacks that are on the roster right now.," said Harbaugh. "Dylan McCaffrey, Joe Milton, Cade McNamara have been doing a lot of great things. And there's some very good young quarterbacks. I see what kind of shape that they're in. I see the drive that they have, which is very high. And they've been tremendous leaders, especially Dylan and Joe and Cade through the offseason, when we didn't have spring football, but through the virtual meetings, the virtual workouts. Doing the right things. It's very important to them. They're training and being good leaders on the team for the other guys as well.
"So, yeah, very excited about their opportunity this year."
Has anyone "wowed" Harbaugh since returning to campus?
"The guy that stands out the most is R.J. Moten. He must have a Fitbit watch or something. He would text me, especially his bike-riding workouts. One of the workouts was a 52- or 53-mile bike ride (with) 3,100 and some odd calories that he burned, and he was doing it a couple of times a week. When he finally did show up, he just looked great.
"Another example is Donovan Jeter. Donovan (6-foot-3) probably played last year at 290-295 (pounds) and he's up to 320-325 this year. And reports that he's moving better. He's moving faster, quicker, side-to-side and forwards. That stands out. There's a lot others.
"The things we suggested, I think they really bought into. Providence will favor the prepared and being prepared. We'll get involved as coaches starting July 24, when we'll move to a 20-hour week. Walkthroughs will be incorporated. We'll be on the field with them and be able to really be around those workouts. Right now, it's been more safety oversight."
The offensive line had first-round center Cesar Ruiz drafted along with guards Ben Bredeson and Michael Onwenu and offensive tackle Jon Runyan Jr. Junior Jalen Mayfield (6-5, 319) is the lone starter returning for the Wolverines, but Harbaugh likes those waiting in the wings and had a glowing report on Mayfield.
"Jalen Mayfield looks phenomenal as a tackle, as a football player," said Harbaugh. "He's another example of somebody who's really done a great job this entire offseason. Looks great! Expectations are really, really high. He definitely looks and moves kind of like Jeter. He looks bigger and he's moving better according to them.
"Since Jalen Mayfield has been here, every time I watch the film of practice, I like watching 73. I like the way he plays. I like watching him play football. I think so far the offseason indicates he's going to be even better. So, super excited for him and his opportunity this year.
"Ryan Hayes is definitely somebody that's gained experience, started at left tackle (in two games). Expect really good things from him. Center: (Zach) Carpenter, (Andrew) Vastardis, anticipate those two guys battling it out there and doing a great job. The guard position: Chuck Filiaga's looking good, doing great. He's really developed. I think he's ready to play. Karsen Barnhart would be another in there at guard. Andrew Stueber will be back and is back from his ACL injury he had last year. He's looking good. There's some real good guys in there and they'll be battling for those positions.
"Overall, I would say it looks good. Both from a strength standpoint, really good length there and the athleticism is very good in that group. Ed Warinner does a great job coaching them, and we'll know more as we start getting them together. Right now, they're in those voluntary workout groups. But, come July 24, very excited to see them jell. Individually, they definitely have done a great job of understanding the system … Mentally very sharp and guys knowing what they're doing."
Mayfield
Harbaugh is under contract for 2020 and 2021, and was asked about receiving an extension, which was discussed with Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel in February before being tabled.
"I think there's bigger fish to fry," said Harbaugh. "For our athletic director, for our administration, for me as a coach. It hasn't been on the top of the priority list. I would expect something, that there would be an announcement sometime.
"We'll get to that, I'm sure."
The commander of the program said others have emerged as strong on-field leaders:
"I'd say Kwity Paye has been outstanding. One of those guys that always does right. Players really gravitate to, follow, watch, listen to. Carlo Kemp. Quinn Nordin has been unbelievable. He's been so outstanding. He's really taken on the role in a leadership way. Dylan McCaffrey. Nick Eubanks is another strong voice and a guy of action. Andrew Vastardis, Nate Schoenle also really good. Joe Milton -- really good. Chris Hinton, Cade McNamara have been great. Aidan Hutchinson has just been so great.
"And I'm referring to the workouts, the virtual workouts, the meetings -- just so good. So many guys really. Hunter Reynolds, Adam Shibley -- could go on, could keep going on. It's been really that good. It's been really like that. I think it'll continue. Another guy: Josh Ross has been great. In meetings, in workouts, but also in their communication with me."
What questions are players asking Harbaugh since returning to campus last month?
"I'd say the biggest question I'm really getting from our players is (about) how they can be a part of the solution. The feedback, a lot of the feedback has been that their peers, other people in their age group, are somewhat or very cavalier about the virus. How it affects that age group. Their response has been they want to be part of the solution. They want to be a force for good, an example. When they're here, there's protocols that have been put into place. They've been terrific. They've been really great about following those. I think they really understand that it's a great value to keep their own personal health but also that of their teammates.
"And then, they've taken it to the extra level of when they're out in public to have a mask, to wear a mask, to socially distance. To cooking their own food. To shopping, to everything that they're doing, to really be a great example and a force for good."
Has Harbaugh found any quarantine-times keepers?
"The thing that jumps out the most probably is the recruiting aspect," he said. "The Zoom calls to me have been phenomenal. They have been tremendous. There's the opportunity to really get to know people and know them better, know more people in the family. That was great. They didn't have the ability to come visit campus, but I felt I knew the guys that we were recruiting -- and brothers, sisters, family members -- way better at this time than I did at this time last year with the other class. And I think our coaches agree with that, too.
"The example: you go visit one player, but that may take hours, days. A full day or half a day, at least. Or you could have an hour conversation on the phone. Coaches could go out and recruit in May and April, but they can't talk to the players in the schools in the spring. There was really good, really positive (exchanges). I think that's something that could be implemented and continued into the future."
Harbaugh answered some questions, but others remain to be answered, when time and circumstances dictate the best fork in the road.
But, for now, the Wolverines are coming off a road never traveled before, having put their collective best foot forward.
