Michigan football: Jim Harbaugh chimes in on the Shemy Schembechler situation

This week, head coach Jim Harbaugh offered offseason updates for all things Michigan football. This included the hiring and quick dismissal of long-time NFL scout and son of former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, Shemy Schembechler.

Shemy Schembechler resigns from recruiting position with Michigan football

After working in NFL scouting for over 20 years, Schembechler joined the Michigan football coaching staff as the assistant director of football recruiting. Almost overnight, Schembechler received lots of attention on social media from numerous insensitive liked tweets.

Days after his hiring, Schembechler resigned from his position and Michigan athletics put out an official statement regarding his exit and problematic social media. The message was signed by Jim Harbaugh and Michigan’s athletic director Warde Manuel. The original message reads as follows.

“Effective this afternoon, Shemy Schembechler has resigned his position with Michigan Football. We are aware of some comments and likes on social media that have caused concern and pain for individuals in our community. Michigan Athletics is fully committed to a place where our coaches, staff and student-athletes feel welcome and where we fully support the University’s and Athletic Department’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Jim Harbaugh speaks on Schembechler’s resignation.

Two weeks after the original statement was released, Harbaugh gave an offseason press conference in which he was asked about Schembechler’s hiring and firing.

Here’s what Harbaugh had to say about the recent events. “Once we became aware of things that were just offensive — offensive to me, offensive to other members of our team — we didn’t want that mindset around. It’s disappointing, I’ve known Shem’ for a long time, but there’s no sacred cows. That’s not who we are, that’s not us.”

A follow-up question was asked regarding the social media vetting process that usually takes place before hiring. Harbaugh explained, “We have a company that vets that… We have a new company doing that but we’ve gotta be better and all take responsibility for that. If somebody can find that in a day then we have to be able to be on it ourselves. Sometimes you’ve gotta do stuff yourself.”

When asked if he would still work with the original vetting company, Harbaugh reiterated that “there’s already a new one.” The full-length interview can be found on The Michigan Insider YouTube channel.

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