Michigan constructs new 'legacy wall' at football facility
Michigan Wolverines football head coach Jim Harbaugh is always planning and thinking of new ideas. His latest that’s been implemented at Schembechler Hall, the team’s facility: a “legacy wall” honoring family members that played or coached at U-M.
“It’s up there, and it’s huge,” Harbaugh said on the Inside Michigan Football radio show. “It is the biggest display that we have in all of Schembechler Hall. The scaffolding is still up because it’s still fresh, but I think it’s going to be something that really, really stands out.”
Harbaugh’s father, Jack Harbaugh, coached at Michigan from 1973-79 and is U-M’s current assistant head coach. Jim Harbaugh played for the Wolverines from 1982-86 and returned as the head man Dec. 30, 2014. His son, Jay Harbaugh, is the Wolverines’ longest-tenured assistant coach, currently working with the safeties and coordinating the special teams. The trio is up on the wall among the others.
Harbaugh said he came up with the idea when he started thinking and asking himself how many brothers played at Michigan. He revealed that it’s been more than 80 combinations of brothers to don the winged helmet.
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Harbaugh showed off the display on an interview with WXYZ’s Brad Galli:
There are other current staff members on the legacy wall. Analysts Doug Mallory and Mike Mallory are brothers. Analyst Rick Minter and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter are father and son. Analyst Fred Jackson saw his son, Jeremy Jackson, play wide receiver at Michigan last decade.
Current players are also displayed on the wall. Sophomore cornerback Will Johnson followed in father Deon Johnson‘s footsteps. Freshman wide receiver Kendrick Bell saw his brother, wideout Ronnie Bell, spend five seasons with the Maize and Blue. Graduate defensive back German Green played five seasons with his brother, Gemon Green, before the latter moved on to the NFL. Graduate defensive back Caden Kolesar is the son of legendary Michigan wide receiver John Kolesar, who played with Harbaugh. Junior tight end/fullback Max Bredeson is the younger brother of former Michigan offensive lineman Ben Bredeson. Senior offensive lineman Myles Hinton is the younger brother of former Michigan defensive tackle Christopher Hinton. Graduate wide receiver Dale Chesson is the younger brother of former Michigan wideout Jehu Chesson. Sophomore running back Nico Andrighetto is the younger brother of former Michigan running back Lucas Andrighetto.
“It’s a legacy. It’s a family legacy,” the Michigan coach said. “Right now, people that have been in the building, it’s a giant display right above the All-American pictures, that row that goes from inception to now. The legacy wall goes from the inception of the program to now. We’ve got space for the next 15, 20, 25 years. And the brothers are together.”
There will be more added in the future, including next season. 2024 wide receiver commit Channing Goodwin is the son of former Michigan offensive lineman Jonathan Goodwin. Harbaugh coached Jonathan with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-13.
“I’m probably not allowed to talk about this, but there’s going to be a player, the first one that I coached the dad and will coach the son coming up,” Harbaugh said without naming names, due to NCAA rules. “That’ll be a special first. Just so many good things up there.”
Offensive line commit Blake Frazier, the son of former Michigan center Steve Frazier, will also join the program.
