The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1523593
THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 29 it takes to win. The two-time Michigan captain, All-American, national cham- pion and NFL veteran with more than a decade in the league, insists Moore can quite naturally take over. "When some people walk in the room, they command a presence," Jansen said. "It doesn't have to be announced. Sher- rone walks into the room with a presence. When he speaks, he doesn't waste words. He's very direct. He's very confident in what he wants and how he wants things done. "He's learned from some good head coaches, most notably Jim Harbaugh. Sherrone's very comfortable in a leader- ship role. You're not going to wonder how you stand, or how he views you. He will tell you exactly what is on his mind. That is one of the highest qualities you could say about a head coach at any level." Back home, they realize Moore is not in Kansas anymore. But sometimes, it feels like it — especially in that second half against Penn State. "As the late, great Joe Moore would say, there's nothing more intimidating than moving a guy against his will," said Jirgens of his personal satisfaction over those 30 minutes of football Michigan displayed last fall. "Especially in today's era of college football, when it's basically, for a lot of schools, a glorified edition of 7-on-7. Sherrone just says 'here it comes.' Just like in baseball. You know you're go- ing to throw a guy a fastball. If you can hit it, I'll tip my hat. "When you can sit there and run the ball 32 straight times that is fantastic. I'm sure Jesse Minter and the defensive boys were digging it. They're over there on the bench, having a Coke and a smile while Sherrone was chewing up the clock." Those recalling Moore's days in Derby, El Dorado and Norman are smiling as well. Without a doubt, Michigan gained some fans in those regions when it reached for Moore. "It's fantastic to watch him grow as a coach, and have success," Jirgens said. "I hope and pray he does it for a long, long time. "With what he's got going on be- tween the ears, he's going to do it really well. He's one of the smartest offensive linemen I ever coached in 27 years. He wanted to know how we could be the ab- solute best. He's going to inject that into Michigan, and Michigan's going to be very happy. They've got a great one." ❑ The Process, The Pursuit, The Standard Those who know Sherrone Moore best describe him as incredibly hard-working, very intelligent, laser- focused, and a commanding presence who can be blunt and tough with players, while also compassionate. He clearly earned Jim Harbaugh's respect, the former head coach desiring him to be head-coach-in- waiting in the latter part of his tenure in Ann Arbor. Whereas Moore stands clearly as his own man, many say he's retained the best elements of what Michigan had going throughout its 15-0 drive to the national championship. Moore described his own approach well upon getting introduced as Michigan's new head coach. Here's Moore's vision, in his own words. "We represent the best university in the world," Moore said. "Every single day, our program will be in pursuit, to see how as a team, on and off the field, we can strive to be the best organization in football. I told the team this morning, we're going to operate this thing from now on in three phases: the process, the pursuit, the standard. We've already started the process. We continue to talk about the process over the prize. Process over the prize, and the prize we got. "But we're hungry for more. Now we're in the pursuit — the pursuit of greatness. And to do that you've got to push, you've got to strain, you've got to do that every single day, on and off the field, to be great. "And that will take you to the standard, and once we continue to win on and off the field, we will be- come the standard. That's the goal here at the University of Michigan, and nothing less. "We're not satisfied with victories of the past — we're hungry for future success. We want to attack every day as we walk into the building as if it's the Monday of the national title game. All hands on deck. We want to make sure that we're in the best position to compete on and off the field. We will work extremely hard every day to represent this university, this program, this city, the state, and attack every day as hard as we can. Our eyes will remain on the future to continue to attack the present moment. It will always, always be about the players. We will do everything in this program to put players in position to win, on and off the field. "I'm excited to start in this new role with our players and coaching staff. Our standards will not change. We will be smart, tough, dependable, relentless, enthusiastic, and do that at a championship level, with a championship team that loves football, plays with a passion for the game, plays for each other. "We will also continue to achieve excellence off the field, in the classroom and in the community. And lastly, from the words of the great Jack Harbaugh, we will continue to attack every day with enthusiasm unknown to mankind. And I promise you, we will SMASH." — John Borton Moore was named the 21st head coach in Michigan football history on Jan. 26, 2024. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY