Jim Harbaugh confirms Kirk Campbell will call plays vs. ECU
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed he would be able to elevate an analyst to a coaching role Saturday, noting Nick Gilbert would be the most likely to get the nod. He will help out with the offensive line in coach Sherrone Moore’s absence (one-game suspension). Whoever comes up can’t replace him directly, Harbaugh noted — that’s not allowed — but he’s confident his staff will excel without him.
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All are prepared for their new roles, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said Monday, because of Harbaugh and his mentorship. Minter will be the head coach for game one, but noted he’d be leaning on his fellow coaches in every way. With offensive coordinator Moore also suspended for game one, quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell will be calling the plays.
“I’m very confident in Kirk’s ability. He’s been preparing — we talk about being dialed in for a game, he’s getting as dialed in as well as anybody I’ve ever seen.”
Minter will likely call the defensive plays, he added, in addition to his head coaching duties. Harbaugh also reiterated he had several capable assistants on his staff. That’s why he gave Minter game one, running backs coach Mike Hart and safeties/special teams coach Jay Harbaugh game two, and Moore game three.
“Because I know how good they are,” Harbaugh continued. “As I’ve said, all 10 coaches I believe are tremendous and talented, and I think it’s what’s best for our team. There’s going to be a tremendous opportunity for each one of them to have the experience of managing the game — I think you’ll be more than satisfied. It’s well documented how good our coaches are, for that reason.
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“Also, why one each game? Because I know each time that a coach is the head coach, I know their preparation is going to be the fullest, at the max. That’s going to be the best thing for our football team. When you’re the head coach during a game and you’re the guardian of victory, that’s a tremendous responsibility, and you understand complementary football. It’s not just defense. It’s not just offense; it’s not just special teams. It’s the whole team. And I know they’re going to be great at it. I think it’s the best thing for our team.”
In addition, Harbaugh noted, it was a no-brainer to make his dad, former U-M assistant and collegiate head coach at a few stops Jack Harbaugh, an assistant. It’s not new, Harbaugh said, but a continued role for his father since he came to Ann Arbor in 2016 and moved in next door.
“He watches every play, every practice. He’s one of the coaches in the building … probably the most that I go to,” Harbaugh said. “Dad, what do you think about this?’ Well, here’s what we did when I was coaching here or here. I don’t know if that’s the right thing or you.’ [I said], ‘that’s the perfect thing. You just saved me three hours and a migraine headache of trying to figure this out by what you just said. Just go ahead and implement it.’
“I’ve been doing that my whole life. My dad, that’s my best friend. I do what he tells me to do, when he tells me to do it, how he tells me to do it. Things just keep working out well for me. I’m just going to keep rolling with that.”
