Jim Harbaugh called upon known friends and trusted agents for help with project at his up north cabin

Michigan Wolverines football head coach Jim Harbaugh once pulled over to the side of the road, mesmerized watching laborers work on a construction job.

“Watching people do something at the highest level, when they do something of excellence, I could watch that for hours,” Harbaugh said years ago, discussing an opera performance (but the same concept goes for construction workers). In fact, Harbaugh said at his Michigan introductory press conference Dec. 30, 2014 that he thinks of himself as a “construction guy.”

Harbaugh purchased a cabin in northern Michigan in the last couple years, and he called upon “known friends and trusted agents” to help complete a project. Up came graduate offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart and his father, Jeff — a crane operator in a local union — from Paw Paw, a small town in southwest Michigan with a population of less than 3,500 people.

“Nobody works like Jeff. Jeff Barnhart — it’s six, seven days a week operating the big machines,” the Michigan coach said. “Man, that guy’s like a hero to me, man. I might have mentioned a few times, I’ve gotten into some of the tools and kind of upped in my game when it comes to skid-steers and tractors and chainsaws, and that’s kind of who I idolize in that department is Jeff Barnhart.

“I got a chance to work with him a few times on a project and watch him move that dirt around with a skid-steer, teach me how to do it. That was cool.”

Harbaugh was mesmerized watching Jeff Barnhart work.

“It was pretty funny to see my dad run the skid-steer and Coach Harbaugh — mouth wide open — like, ‘Wow, this is really impressive,’ compared to the way he was running it. It was pretty funny,” Karsen Barnhart said.

Harbaugh brought up his experience with the Barnharts during his Monday press conference before Michigan’s game against Indiana. If it seems unusual, it is. But in context, it makes plenty sense.

The Michigan coach was asked about Karsen Barnhart’s willingness to move all across the offensive line. During his career, Barnhart has appeared in games at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle. He could play center if he needed to, coaches have said. Just give him some practice time there.

This year, Barnhart — a returning starter who opened games at right tackle last season — began the season as Michigan’s starting left tackle. He’s since shifted back to right tackle, with graduate LaDarius Henderson taking over the spot on the left side and senior Myles Hinton (previously starting at right tackle) going to the bench.

Harbaugh pointed to Barnhart’s upbringing as to why it’s no surprise that the Michigan lineman “does everything for the team.

“He’s always locked in and pulling his weight,” Harbaugh said.

“You go back to those to know what they poured into Karsen and then be — wouldn’t be a surprise at all. See, apple didn’t fall too far from the tree, at all. Yeah, he’s one of my favorite guys.”

It’s not just from his parents, either, but his town. Barnhart described folks from Paw Paw as “gritty” — “I love that place,” he added. Barnhart exited Michigan’s game against Colorado State last season with an injury, and Harbaugh knew that someone from his hometown would be back sooner than later.

“Karsen Barnhart, from Paw Paw, Michigan — tough as a $2 steak,” the Michigan coach said. “Don’t count him out for next week’s ballgame.”

Former offensive linemen will say that it’s not easy to move from one side of the line to another, but it’s been seamless for the 6-foot-5, 316-pound Barnhart, both mentally and physically.

“I’m comfortable both at left and right,” the Michigan lineman said. One thing that makes me comfortable was listening to Coach Clink [co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale] a couple weeks ago, he was talking about, ‘Don’t flinch.’ Whether that’s, hey, Karsen, you’re going to right this drive or you’re going to left this drive, OK, awesome. It just doesn’t really change my mindset, it’s just playing next to a different guy, and I love it.”

The veteran was asked what his favorite spot is on the offensive line, to which he replied, with a smile, “Starting, yes.”

Barnhart is set to start his 23rd career game at Michigan this Saturday against Indiana. In all likelihood, he’ll begin at right tackle. Wherever it is, he should be able to handle himself.