The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1524451
18 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2024 "W e really did that." That's what new Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore told the Big Ten Network this summer, noting it had finally sunk in what Team 144 had ac- complished. As offensive coordinator and interim head coach for four games last year, Moore played a huge role in lead- ing the Wolverines to their first national championship since 1997. "To take that in, in that moment, was something special," he said. "It's hard to really describe the feeling — you can't even explain in words. You just had to be there." His goal now — to do it again, easier said than done given the exodus of out- standing talent. But Moore isn't conced- ing anything, having inherited a strong nucleus, a potentially outstanding de- fense, and the experience of what it takes to build a champion. Players said spring practices were more physical than they'd been under former coach Jim Harbaugh. There was a reason for it, Moore said. "I want to create a physicality and a mentality to continue to sustain and strain in tight moments," Moore said. "We'll create that as much as we can within camp, but also stay healthy. We've got a great schedule ahead of it, and we're excited about the schedule." Despite the personnel losses, the Wol- verines still have plenty of players on the team who know what it takes to win, he added. Many of them played huge roles as starters or backups, while others contrib- uted in practice while waiting their turn. All of them have bought in, Moore said, and want to make another run at a title. "The culture that's built now is the guys understand that, and they under- stand that it doesn't really matter who's in that seat, who's in that chair, who's in those uniforms … that the standard stays the same," Moore continued. "When you wear the block 'M,' you wear it with pride, and you go attack and try to go win cham- pionships. "That's what we're going to try to do. We know there's a process to it, and we'll keep attacking that process." It's a bonus, he added, that he got some experience last year. He has confidence in himself to keep the program on top — more than that, he believes in the peo- ple around him. "I think when you have the faith in your players, your program, the coaches, ev- erybody behind you and how you pre- pared, it puts you in a good position men- tally," Moore said. "That was the main thing that helped keep me poised and calm last year, and the same mentality we have with our players — 'Next man up.' Whether it was a player or a coach, we had that same mentality, so that really helped me in those moments." — Chris Balas ❱ MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Sherrone Moore Is Confident In His Philosophy And Returning Nucleus 2024 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time (TV) Aug. 31 FRESNO STATE 7:30 p.m. (NBC) Sept. 7 TEXAS Noon (FOX) Sept. 14 ARKANSAS STATE Noon (BTN) Sept. 21 USC 3:30 p.m. (CBS) Sept. 28 MINNESOTA TBA Oct. 5 at Washington TBA Oct. 19 at Illinois TBA Oct. 26 MICHIGAN STATE TBA Nov. 2 OREGON TBA Nov. 9 at Indiana TBA Nov. 23 NORTHWESTERN TBA Nov. 30 at Ohio State Noon (FOX) Dec. 7 Big Ten Championship 8 p.m. (CBS) First-year head coach Sherrone Moore is confident in his team's preparation and mindset headed into the 2024 season. "When you wear the block 'M,' you wear it with pride, and you go attack and try to go win championships," he said. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER