Jim Harbaugh on watching his assistants fill-in for him amid suspensions: 'Like Moses, I will die leaning on my staff'

Jim Harbaugh kept it candid while speaking on what it was like to see his assistant coaches fill-in for him as Michigan’s head coach throughout the 2023 season.

Due to Harbaugh’s two suspensions over an undefeated campaign, the Wolverines have three interim coaches for six games. Harbaugh’s son Jay Harbaugh, and other Michigan assistants Mike Hart and Jesse Minter had their shot, and of course Sherrone Moore helped steer the ship to the finish line.

Many wondered what it must’ve felt like for Harbaugh to have to watch powerless as his team was led by one of his assistant coaches during some games in 2023. Speaking with ESPN’s Marty Smith ahead of the Rose Bowl, Harbaugh dished on just that, comparing it to watching his brother John in the NFL

“I’ll tell you what it felt like, to watch my son Jay Harbaugh have a chance to lead our team. Mike Hart, Jesse Minter and then Sherrone Moore, head coach in four games. Going to Happy Valley, beat a top ten team. Win against Ohio State in The Big House. It felt like watching my brother (John Harbaugh) on Monday night last week, when the Ravens had their huge win,” the Michigan coach said. “Son, brother, that’s what it felt like. I could not have been more proud of my guys.”

Of course, Harbaugh had to drop one of his tremendous soundbites while explaining the importance of his staff, and he didn’t disappoint.

“That I have the best staff. I’ve got the best group of players. They’re a joy to coach,” Harbaugh said, asked what it meant that his team won each game he missed. “Like Moses, I will die leaning on my staff. My staff, football coaches, operations staff, it’s an A-Team from top to bottom.”

Alas, Harbaugh and his staff have a chance to end their campaign with a bang. They’ve been on a journey since last season, and they only want it to end hoisting a national title.

“In a lot of ways, it has been — it has been a spiritual journey. It’s been a mission. Daily, weekly, monthly, it’s a year now. It’s on year with this team, that they’ve been on this mission. It’s been a happy mission. It’s been a joy, to watch guys make the choice to play as a team. To be unselfish. To play for each other. To give it their very best,” Harbaugh said, during his Rose Bowl press conference. “As I said before, you know it when you’re on a real ball team, and that’s what our team is. Coach Schembechler talked many times about — when I was a kid heard it, heard it when I played at Michigan — the team, the team, the team. 

“In so many ways, this team is the team, and couldn’t be prouder, and couldn’t be more excited to lead this team into battle in the Rose Bowl.”

Time will tell if Jim Harbaugh is able to finish the job, but if Michigan does end up on top of the college football world, his staff will deserve a ton of praise, as well. He recognizes that.