It has been over 300 days since Jim Harbaugh coached a game at the Big House in Ann Arbor — the last time it happened was in mid-November of last year against Illinois. On Saturday, the Wolverines’ 9th-year head coach will make his return debut for the 2023 season; yesterday, Michigan football DC Jesse Minter (2nd season) shared his thoughts on what having Harbaugh back will mean for the Maize and Blue.
Jim Harbaugh set to return to the Big House for Michigan football Big Ten opener
Three games into the 2023 season, Michigan football is undefeated and has the No. 1-ranked defense in the nation, just as many anticipated. Jesse Minter, the Wolverines’ incredible second-year defensive play-caller, was interim coach for Week 1, though has since returned to his regular DC duties. In two days, when Jim Harbaugh finally re-takes the field as head coach in Ann Arbor, he will be met with thunderous applause as the Maize and Blue look to start Big Ten play with a win over Rutgers.
Michigan football DC Jesse Minter excited for Harbaugh’s return this weekend
Here is what Michigan football DC Jesse Minter had to say on Wednesday in regards to Jim Harbaugh and his fast-approaching return to the sidelines:
“I think anytime you take your leader, the guy that all these guys signed up to play for there, that one of the best head coaches in the world at any sport, any level, it’s different,” Jesse Minter said of Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh. “You’re asking other people to juggle different jobs. And so, now that he’s back, I think it allows everybody to have a really, really tight focus on their particular responsibility. I think it was a good experience, not something wanted based on the circumstances but appreciated the way coach did it. I think it was good for everybody; gave everybody a different perspective. And just like he kind of said, gained perspective from not being there, I think we all gain perspective for how much we appreciate him, and how he goes about his business being the head coach now, having done that for a little bit.
“I couldn’t be more happy and excited to have him back,” Minter said. “I think our team feeds off of his leadership. I said it before, he just breeds this confidence into our players. And I would expect the guys to be pretty excited to run out the tunnel with him this week.”
Wolverines ready to host Rutgers on Saturday
Michigan football is taking on a team that, historically, Jim Harbaugh has struggled with, at least during the Greg Schiano era. In 2020, Rutgers took the Wolverines to 3OT; in 2021, it was a one-score game, and last year, Rutgers held a lead heading into halftime.
Still, Michigan is currently favored by 24 points and has an 85% chance of victory, per the ESPN FPI.
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