MICHAEL ARBOR, Michigan If the Wolverines defeat Maryland away on Saturday, there’s a chance Michigan’s football program will record its one thousandth victory. Additionally, there’s a chance that head coach Jim Harbaugh won’t be watching that match.
A temporary restraining order that would overturn Harbaugh’s three-game suspension from the Big Ten and commissioner Tony Petitti could be granted, if a court hearing scheduled for this Friday is successful.
If Harbaugh was suspended on Saturday, it would be extremely disappointing, defensive line coach Mike Elston stated on Wednesday. “I think he’s earned the right to be with his team and share in this victory more than anyone else.
“… For him not to be a part of that would be an absolute shame.”
When Harbaugh is serving his suspension—which is related to allegations that former staff member Connor Stalions conducted in-person scouting and game recording—offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore fills in as interim head coach.
If the Wolverines defeat Maryland, Moore very well might be the acting head coach who records the historic 1,000th victory, but Moore would prefer not to take the credit.
“I definitely want Coach [Harbaugh] to be the coach when that happens,” Moore stated. “That would be his victory, I would say to myself and to everyone else. That wouldn’t belong to me. I’m just there to make sure we don’t screw this football team up; he’s the head coach.”
In his postgame interview, Moore, who served as the Wolverines’ temporary head coach during their victory over Penn State last week, expressed his emotions about the circumstances. He apologized to his mother and grandmother after using foul language several times during the interview, but he also mentioned that everyone on that team experienced the same feelings following the victory.
Moore stated, “I think they saw that and it’s real, just understanding, like, the care and love that I have for the players, this program, and this university.” “It’s really cool when you work so hard to see something come to pass. And then there are instances when your feelings overcome you.”
Since then, Moore has received feedback regarding the interview from notable alumni, athletic director Warde Manuel, and university president Santa Ono. He said it has been inspiring to see the entire university come together.
Moore gives credit to Michigan’s culture for helping the players stay focused on the game despite all the outside distractions during the Wolverines’ 10-0 start.
“From the start of the year, we already knew this was a really special team and what we had in the locker room, the leadership on the team,” Moore stated. “Hey, all of this is against us,” the leadership has just taken matters into their own hands. How are we going to address it?
All of the guys are just thinking about one thing at a time: “Okay, what are we going to do this week to beat Maryland?”
Moore described the previous four weeks using terms like “exciting” and “camaraderie”. The Wolverines have every opportunity to reach their objectives this season, he said, adding that the team is attacking what is in front of it and can handle whatever is thrown at it despite being seen as the villain.
Moore remarked, “Nobody’s worried about anything else.” “I believe that people always want to bring someone down from the top. It’s great that we always feel like we have someone on our back. I adore it. We’re going to stick together, carry on as usual, and just keep going.”
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