Sherrone Moore explains how Michigan is operating on gameday without Jim Harbaugh

Michigan has had plenty of opportunities to play without Jim Harbaugh on the sideline this season, and the program has clearly done just fine without him on game days.

Harbaugh missed the first three games of the year as the Wolverines earned wins against East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green, as well as last Saturday’s game against Penn State. He will also not be on the sideline this Saturday against Maryland or next weekend against Ohio State after being suspended by the Big Ten earlier this month.

Michigan offensive coordinator Sherron Moore, who serves as the acting head coach when Jim Harbaugh is not on the sideline, joined ESPN College GameDay Saturday morning and explained how the coaching staff operates without Harbaugh on game days. Harbaugh is allowed to coach all week leading up to the game but can’t attend games during his current suspension.

“The big thing is that it’s a big, collaborative effort. When the defense is up, we allow [defensive coordinator] Jesse [Minter] and their staff to really take full control of what’s going on,” Moore said. “And if there’s any big decisions to be made, I’ll make them.”

Moore further explained how game days are a group effort for Michigan, even if he is technically the acting head coach.

“I’ll operate with the offense. Jesse will handle the defense. And any final calls, final decisions, I’ll handle,” Moore said. “But it’s a big, collaborative effort as a staff.”

Michigan shares message from Donovan Edwards in support of Jim Harbaugh, coordinators

Michigan continues to show full support for Jim Harbaugh, despite his suspension by the Big Ten.

More news broke Friday regarding the ongoing impermissible scouting investigation by the NCAA, including the firing of linebackers coach Chris Partridge. Michigan shared a message from running back Donovan Edwards on social media Friday evening, ahead of Saturday’s game against Maryland

“[Harbaugh] has prepared us to go through the battles without him. His mentality is ‘the next man up,’ even with himself. It’s really a testament to how this team is in the way that he carries himself,” Edwards said.

Edwards continued, praising how the staff was prepared for the moment. He particularly praised offensive and defensive coordinators Sherrone Moore and Jesse Minter, respectively, and how Harbaugh played a role in getting them ready to meet this challenge.

“He prepared coach Moore, coach Minter, and the coaching staff to coach in replacement for him. We’re a true family here and it all starts with coach Harbaugh,” Edwards said.