The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 39 Lassan: I think the most impressive part of Michigan's 2023 season was just how dominant and complete this team was amidst all of the controversy from the various investigations. Also, it was the final piece in Jim Harbaugh's restora- tion project at his alma mater. Although the Wolverines made the CFP in the pre- vious two years, with a veteran roster, an elite defense, a standout quarterback and a manageable schedule, everything seemed to be lined up for the best shot this program would have to win a na- tional title under Harbaugh. Staples: The most impressive part of the title run was seeing the veteran leader- ship on that team hold everything together even when some crazy stuff was happen- ing. Think about it. They found out when they landed in State College that Jim Har- baugh was going to be suspended for three games. And while Sherrone Moore did an excellent job in that situation, Michigan might not get through that stretch with- out guys like Zak Zinter and J.J. McCarthy and [defensive lineman] Kris Jenkins and [linebacker] Junior Colson setting the tone for everyone. What will Michigan miss most about Jim Harbaugh being the coach? Bender: The quirky, unpredictable, competitive and combative persona he brought to the program after it bottomed out in 2014. "Family" can be a cliche, but he built that at Michigan, and they re- verted to the smash-mouth offense with a dominant offensive and defensive line the last three seasons. Fornelli: The football coach. Jim Har- baugh, for all his quirks, controversies, and people rubbed the wrong way, is an incredible football coach. He's won at every stop across multiple levels. It's easy to forget where Michigan was before Harbaugh returned because of the suc- cess he had in his time as coach. I don't know that there are more than two foot- ball coaches walking the planet right now that you can hire to replace Harbaugh and feel like you've maintained your level. Lassan: There was a certain edge or "us against the world" mentality that Jim Harbaugh brought to Michigan and will be missed under the new regime. New coach Sherrone Moore certainly seems to share that same type of energy, but capturing that exact relentless pursuit of perfection and a nonstop drive to beat Ohio State and win the Big Ten or na- tional championship isn't something that any coach can replicate right away. Plus, as a former Michigan player, Harbaugh knew the program as well as anyone and what buttons to push on the rivalry front. Staples: It feels as if hiring Moore keeps the identity Harbaugh fostered mostly intact. This is still going to be a team that tries to beat you up at the line of scrimmage and will prioritize develop- ing players on the line of scrimmage. Is it weird that I think the thing they'll miss the most is [former director of strength and conditioning] Ben Herbert? I figured Harbaugh would want Herbert with him in Los Angeles, but I wasn't sure Herbert would go because strength coaches aren't considered nearly as crucial in the NFL as they are at the college level. But Herbert leaving leaves a massive hole. Your thoughts on Michigan hiring Sherrone Moore as its 21st head coach? Bender: For continuity's sake in the transfer portal era, this was the right hire. Moore earned the shot during Har- baugh's three-game suspension last season, particularly in the manner in which he managed the legacy-defining decisions that come with the Ohio State game. Now, can he do that 365 days a year at a blue-blood program that brings the every-minute pressure of a top-five job? Promoting Kirk Campbell to offensive coordinator was easy, and hiring defen- sive coordinator Wink Martindale and Ohio State running backs coach Tony Al- ford grabbed headlines. There is always apprehension about hiring a first-time head coach at a program with this kind of magnitude. Marcus Freeman has handled that well at Notre Dame in two seasons, albeit with some growing pains against top-10 teams. That is the challenge for Moore in 2024. Fornelli: I have no idea how the Sher- rone Moore hire will work out in the long run, but whatever happens, I won't look back on it five years from now and think the decision was a mistake. It was a logi- cal choice. Moore was in charge of the program on game day for four games dur- ing the season, including games against Penn State and Ohio State. The familiar- ity with the roster was there, and in an offseason with so much change, promot- ing Moore made too much sense. Plus, in the modern era of the sport, where every player is a free agent every offseason, do- ing everything in your power to keep that continuity made sense. Lassan: Even before Moore's stint as an interim coach, I thought he was an as- sistant on the rise thanks to his work with the offensive line and later as the coordi- nator. And if Jim Harbaugh remained at Michigan, there's a good chance Moore would've been coveted by other power conference programs for a high-profile job in the next couple of years. Promoting Moore for continuity was huge for Michigan to keep the program on track after a successful run the last few years. The foundation is already in place to keep things rolling, so there was no need for the program to go outside of the staff to find the next coach. Staples: I thought the hire was a no-brainer. Moore was great in his ex- tended audition last year. The timing of the transition wasn't ideal, but there really wasn't anything Michigan could do about that. The NFL hiring cycle is what it is. They did a great job of ensur- ing the roster stayed mostly intact. Other than [safety] Keon Sabb [transferring to Alabama], it didn't feel like Michigan lost anyone who was a major part of the plan for next year. The Wolverines made sure they kept their mega-stars like [junior defensive tackles] Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, and just as in previous years, they added players in spots who could help. "With a defense that's capable of winning games, along with a ground game that should be the strength of the offense, Michigan just needs someone who can make a few timely plays through the air and limit the mistakes." ATHLON SPORTS' STEVEN LASSAN, ON U-M'S EXPECTATIONS FOR A NEW STARTING QUARTERBACK