Jim Harbaugh praises son Jay, how he's handled new coaching responsibilities

It’s rare that Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh talks about his son, Jay, who’s an assistant with the Wolverines. He did so this week — and spoke glowingly of the job Jay has done in Ann Arbor.

Jay Harbaugh is taking on a new role this year, switching from tight ends coach to safeties coach while keeping his role as special teams coach. It’s the second straight year he’s making a change after working as Michigan’s running backs coach from 2017 to 2020. But Jim Harbaugh said Jay is adjusting well, and it’ll be a smooth adjustment to safeties coach because he knows the offensive side of the ball so well.

“I don’t really talk that much about Jay because he is my son,” Jim Harbaugh said. “For right or wrong — maybe it’s been a blessing, maybe it’s been a curse — I don’t know. It’s about time to give him the recognition. He’s a phenomenal football coach. The way he talks to the team, the way he coaches special teams. He recruited a great tight end room, a great running back room. His value now, going over to defense, he knows how an offense tries to attract a tackle, what they’re trying to get done. The whole time, he’s also been coordinating special teams, which was the best in the country.

“In all humility, I’ve got to say it right. He’s one heck of a coach. Way better than I was when I was that age. Probably passing me up right now. Super proud of him and what he brings to our football team.”

Jay Harbaugh has done impressive work as Michigan’s special teams coordinator and helped the Wolverines become the No. 1 special teams unit in the country, and he’ll maintain that role even as he makes the transition to defense, as well.

Jay Harbaugh’s switch isn’t the only change to the Michigan football coaching staff

Harbaugh also announced more changes to his staff in February. Sherrone Moore will continue as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach after spending 2021 in the role. Matt Weiss is now moving up to co-offensive coordinator alongside Moore after spending last year as quarterbacks coach. The two will share play-calling duties, Harbaugh said.

Former Michigan offensive lineman Grant Newsome is moving over to tight ends coach after spending the last few years as a graduate assistant. Newsome was also a student assistant from 2018-19 after after an injury cut his playing career short.

In addition to Newsome’s promotion, Ron Bellamy is moving over to wide receivers coach after working as safeties coach last season. Mike Hart is now the program’s run game coordinator in addition to his duties as running backs coach.