How Sherrone Moore is similar, different to Jim Harbaugh
Sherrone Moore officially became the 21st head coach in the history of the program at Michigan. However, The Wolverine’s Clayton Sayfie doesn’t expect his tenure to be too far removed from what the 20th coach did over his near decade in Ann Arbor.
Sayfie examined the potential similarities and differences of Moore’s upcoming career leading the Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh’s time doing so during ‘Andy Staples On3’ on Sunday. To him, it’s a passing of the baton that will look much like what the last nine years did.
“It feels like a continuation, for sure,” said Sayfie. “Also, too, part of Jim Harbaugh’s legacy, I think, is grooming Sherrone Moore as the next guy to take over. Obviously, he had Jim Harbaugh’s endorsement.”
Much of that opinion is based on Moore’s persona as a coach. As someone who played on the line, he is going to maintain the attitude and approach that the Wolverines have had as of late.
“It’ll be interesting to see what this era is. I mean, clearly, Sherrone Moore has his own personality and he’ll put his own stamp on the program. But he said on Saturday morning at his introductory press conference that he wants to keep the philosophy the same – not only on both sides of the ball but, also, within the program,” said Sayfie. “Physicality, playing Michigan football. He’s an offensive lineman and an offensive line coach. You know he’s going to want to run the ball. You know he’s going to want to have a really good offensive line, defensive line to win in the trenches. It’s going to be similar.”
“Sherrone Moore helped build a lot of what Michigan has become anyways. That’s a big part of this as well.”
On the flip side, though, Sayfie pointed out how Moore is wanting to take the program to the next level. While Harbaugh’s tenure accomplished some special things, Moore is taking the program over in a much different era of college football. That’s going to require a different approach, especially off the field and even if it is still rooted in the same beliefs.
“He said he wants to take recruiting to another level. He’s going to be involved in helping NIL, get a boost there. Things are going to be different,” said Sayfie. “He’s going to be aggressive. He said he wants to be aggressive in every area of the program. So there’s going to be changes. But, at the same time, this is a continuation of what Michigan has built.”
Moore has plenty to live up to as he follows Harbaugh yet also has to start his own head coaching career in his own way. Still, following the blueprint from the past few seasons wouldn’t hurt the blue & maize with a new man set to take the helm for next fall.
“He’s as Michigan as any of the other guys that are going to be moving this program forward,” said Sayfie.