The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1508023
66 THE WOLVERINE ❱ OCTOBER 2023 F ollowing the 2015 Mich- igan football season, Jim Harbaugh's first at the helm, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Turnley published a book of photos taken after a year of access with the team. In it was one picture of Harbaugh and then- offensive coordinator and line coach Tim Drevno sitting on a bench after one particu- larly tough fall camp practice, the latter with his head in his hands in an "oh, boy — we have a lot of work to do" way. There was talent on that team, no doubt. But years of bad habits (and yes, losing) are hard to overcome. As the saying goes, "When you get so used to losing, sometimes you just don't know what it takes to win." To his credit, Harbaugh and his staff righted the ship quickly. His first team improved dramatically from Week 1 to the end of the season. A blowout loss to Ohio State stained the ascent, but there was tangible progress. A year later, the Wolverines were a few breaks and a correctly officiated game away from winning the Big Ten and making the playoff in only his second year. One of the best indicators of a well- coached team is improvement through a season. The 2015 campaign was our first indication that Harbaugh was as good as advertised when he arrived at Michigan from the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, and it's been a theme throughout most of the coach's career. So, while some of the fan base is in panic mode after an underwhelming nonconference slate against three poor opponents, keep in mind that a) this group is just getting started, and they have that history on their side … b) es- pecially because they haven't had their head coach there to guide them. Harbaugh was set to return from a three-game, school-imposed suspen- sion Sept. 23 against Rutgers, and it was clear he was ready. "I think it's made me a better coach," Harbaugh said. "As a result, I'm go- ing to implement some new things I haven't done as it relates to a few poli- cies around here to make sure I don't ever get sidelined again … ramping that up to a gold standard." Frankly, it's probably already gold compared to the rest of the college foot- ball world — maybe he'll take it plati- num — but the point was obvious. He's as focused as he's ever been heading into a Big Ten season. And a focused Jim Harbaugh, as we saw in 2021 after he took a pay cut following a bizarre 2020 season, is the most dangerous of cornered wolverines. He spent three game days taking notes and preparing for his comeback, and he came to his Sept. 18 presser with a familiar, determined look in his eye. "How we watch the game as an of- fense … watching it on TV, you can see things," Harbaugh said. "When I'm there, just to explain it, how I see it in my mind. I'm there and I'm in it … 'What did you do right? What did you do wrong? How did you see this?' "I'm kind of excited about that … a ton of positives." The biggest one, though, is getting Harbaugh back on the sidelines. The team has missed him. While the staff is out- standing, the head coach is the constant wherever he's been, one of the best of his era. If he's not concerned, you shouldn't be, either. "I see we're very close to get- ting there in areas, really im- proved in a lot of areas," Har- baugh said after a lethargic 31-6 win over Bowling Green. "The run game is one where, man, there's a Michigan play right there. All 11 are doing their job exactly how they're supposed to be doing it. That was an 8-yard gain and that's a beautiful thing … just not enough of them yet. "… But getting it all humming — I know it's super close." And no, that's not coach speak. Quar- terback J.J. McCarthy's worst game (3 interceptions) was the main reason the Bowling Green game wasn't completely lopsided. That won't happen again. The Michigan defense, even shorthanded without elite cornerback Will Johnson and junior safety Rod Moore, has been outstanding. It's the best unit in the Big Ten on either side of the ball, and yes … defense still travels. This is still a two-game regular season with games at Penn State and versus Ohio State likely to determine this group's fate. Neither will be easy. But odds are Michigan will be playing great football by then, and that gives it a chance — especially with the guy in charge back on the sidelines hungrier than ever to succeed. We wouldn't bet against him. ❑ Chris Balas has been with The Wolverine since 1997. Contact him at cbalas @thewolverine.com and follow him on X (Twitter) @Balas _ Wolverine. INSIDE MICHIGAN ❱ CHRIS BALAS Back Where He Belongs After serving a school-imposed three-game suspension, head coach Jim Harbaugh will be back on the sideline at Michigan Stadium beginning with the Rutgers game Sept. 23. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL