Jim Harbaugh’s new staff is willing to do whatever is necessary to help the team win. It’s one of the reasons he’s upbeat and optimistic about the outlook for the 2021 season.

Michigan opened spring practices on Monday, getting an early jump on the 2021 campaign. The Wolverines are looking to rinse the taste of a 2-4 record out of their mouths and resurface as one of the top programs in the B1G this fall.

One of the measures Harbaugh took during the offseason after signing his new 4-year contract extension was to restructure the staff. Now, heading into his seventh year in Ann Arbor, the head coach will be working a more youthful group on the sidelines. The average age of Michigan’s staff is just above 35 and all 10 assistants are under 40.

The quality Harbaugh likes most about this new staff is their willingness to be flexible. Speaking with the media on Thursday, the head coach said he had to make some changes after linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary took a job at Tennessee.

“Then had to ask Ron Bellamy to go to the secondary, which was part of the original plan way back in December [or] January. And then George Helow moved from safeties to linebackers,” Harbaugh said, per Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News. “We’re now set. Feel really great about the staff, I really do. And also, told me a lot, too, because I said, ‘Ron, would you be opposed to moving to safeties,’ and he said, ‘No, coach, whatever’s best for the team.’ Talked to George Helow about going from safeties to linebackers and he had the same response, ‘Coach, whatever’s best for the team.'”

It doesn’t always work that way in coaching, but Michigan’s staff clearly wants to be in a position to win games in 2021, regardless of what position they’re coaching.

Harbaugh’s encouragement is a good sign, especially after such a disappointing year in 2020. Michigan is hoping that these staff changes and adjustments help lead to a better year for the Wolverines when fall arrives.