Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh working chain gang at youth football game during suspension
Michigan Wolverines football head coach Jim Harbaugh will miss his second week during a three-game, school-imposed suspension stemming from an alleged NCAA violation, but that didn’t keep him away from the game he loves. As posted by ESPN hockey analyst and former Michigan hockey standout (and two-time national champion) Sean Ritchlin on Twitter, Harbaugh is working the chain gang for a youth football game in Ann Arbor. His team is set to take on UNLV Saturday afternoon at The Big House (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS).
Harbaugh said before the suspension took place that he may attend his son Jack’s youth game, but that he didn’t know what the feeling would be like having to stay away from his team.
“I really don’t know yet. There’s a chance my son Jack’s team is going to be playing at the same time. If he’s playing, I’ll go watch that game,” Harbaugh said the Monday before Michigan’s season opener against East Carolina. “I don’t know if I’ll watch [the U-M game] on TV if I won’t be able to watch it. I can’t predict what it’s going to be at the time. It’s uncharted waters for me.
“As a college player, I had my arm broken, missed six games I think it was. As a pro player, I don’t think I ever missed three in a row and I had all kinds of injuries. Had an MCL that put a brace on played. Had a shoulder separation that might’ve been two games, might’ve been three. It would’ve been more though. I’ve heard people comment that it’s a slap on the wrist, it’s more like a baseball bat to the kneecaps or to the shoulder. I equate everything to football. I’ve never missed three games unless it was for a broken arm or dislocated shoulder.”
Harbaugh wound up watching the game at Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore‘s house, with “nice sandwiches.” Moore was also suspended one game after a negotiated resolution with the NCAA.
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“Sherrone figured out the Peacock thing,” Harbaugh said of Michigan’s 30-3 win over East Carolina, which was streamed on Peacock. “I didn’t have Peacock. He had that one dialed in. Kelli Moore had that one dialed in. Had some really good sandwiches, too.”
Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was the interim head coach for the first game. Special teams coordinator and safeties coach Jay Harbaugh (first half) and running backs coach and run game coordinator Mike Hart (second) will split the duties this week. Moore will serve as interim in Week 3 against Bowling Green.
The Wolverines are back to back Big Ten champions and have made two straight trips to the College Football Playoff. They’re 20-0 against non-conference opponents at home under Harbaugh, who was hired in 2015.
