Jesse Minter explains unique feeling as interim head coach during Jim Harbaugh suspension

Playing the role of interim coach, Jesse Minter got the job done in Week 1 as Michigan began the season with a win. Minter, who also serves as the team’s defensive coordinator, coached the Wolverines to dominant defensive performance in which they did not allow a touchdown in a 30-3 victory against East Carolina.

It was the first of three games Minter will carry the label of interim coach as he fills in for coach Jim Harbaugh while the latter serves a suspension. Speaking postgame, he opened up about what the process was like for him throughout the week and when the moment fully set in for him.

“It was interesting because coach was around all week,” Minter said. “I was talking to him a lot about how he wanted to manage the game, how he wanted to try and do things. When I saw him last night and it was going to be the last time, it really, really hit me there like ‘This is going down.’ I was excited for the opportunity and I was just really excited to see our guys play.

“You go through a long camp and a long offseason. It’s been a long time since we’ve played in December. Was just excited to get back out there with the guys and proud of the way they played.”

Michigan set the tone early with its defense as the Wolverines came away with an interception early in the first quarter to set themselves up on their own 43-yard line. They ultimately went on to score on the ensuing offensive drive with JJ McCarthy connecting with Roman Wilson for a 14-yard touchdown.

There was no looking back from there as the Wolverines went on to score 30 unanswered points over the first three quarters in the dominant win. Unfortunately, they fell just short of the shutout as ECU kicked in a 33-yard field goal as time expired to get on the board.

McCarthy finished the day an extremely efficient 26-of-30 passing for 280 yards and three touchdowns. All three of the TD throws went to Wilson, who ended as the Wolverines leading receiver with six catches for 78 yards.

The Wolverines defense held ECU to 235 yards of offense and forced one turnover in the win. Minter will hope to keep rolling into next challenge in Week 2 when Michigan hosts UNLV at 3:30 p.m. ET next Saturday in Ann Arbor.