Jim Harbaugh credits his staff for leading team through suspensions

Michigan has dealt with more than its fair share of distractions this season, self-inflicted or not. Coach Jim Harbaugh has been at the center of them.

Harbaugh spent six games this season suspended, for two different issues. Somehow the Wolverines managed and came out unbeaten, once again reaching the College Football Playoffs.

The head coach credited his assistant coaches.

“Like Moses, I’m going to die leaning on my staff, and nobody could have a better staff to lean on,” Harbaugh said on ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday.

Michigan turned things over to interim coach Sherrone Moore in Jim Harbaugh’s absence, and he did splendidly. On top of getting the team through those six games unscathed, Moore helped Michigan establish its identity.

The Wolverines played with some real passion, perhaps not surprising given how Moore wears his emotions on his sleeve. He was visibly moved after a couple wins this season, knowing it was a bit of a Herculean task to keep Michigan perfect in Harbaugh’s absence.

Harbaugh was asked how the suspensions impacted this year’s team.

“Well it certainly doesn’t take anything away from it,” Jim Harbaugh said. “It’s like you put some obstacles up and guys are going to overcome it. For me personally just to watch my coaches, son Jay, Mike Hart, Sherrone Moore, Jesse Minter lead the team as head coach. And then Sherrone Moore go on the road in Happy Valley, into the lion’s den and win that game against a top-10 team, I mean that’s how you feel for your brother, for your best friend.

“I couldn’t be more prouder of our coaches and our players.”

Now through the suspensions for Jim Harbaugh, Michigan is preparing at full strength for a Rose Bowl contest against Alabama. It won’t be easy.

But working through tough situations is nothing new for this Michigan squad, either.

The Rose Bowl is set to take place on Sunday, with kickoff slated for 5 p.m. ET with a national broadcast on ESPN.