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What Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said during Monday press conference
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The always embattled Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh met with media Monday morning.
The back and forth included a now standardized mixture of discussing the team and their upcoming game while fending off questions from reporters about his current job status, and future job prospects.
The Wolverines have been forced to cancel their previous two games because of a Covid-19 outbreak—that is to say, an outbreak of positive tests—across their roster. The situation got so bad Michigan was forced to cancel its annual and iconic rivalry game against Ohio State, the first time ‘The Game’ hasn’t been played since 1917.
Strangely enough, Harbaugh claimed during the session that the Wolverines had a “spirited” team practice Sunday, the day after they had cancelled the game with the Buckeyes. What exactly he meant by that, and who was available to practice, was not elaborated on.
Harbaugh would not get into testing numbers with reporters and was habitually tight lipped about his job and future, though he did say he was committed to Michigan and admitted he would be discussing the head coaching position with the school’s athletic director at season’s end.
Michigan has been scheduled to play at the University of Iowa Saturday as their assignment in the league’s Champions Week crossover challenge. The game is scheduled to kick at 7 pm ET from Kinnick Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Harbaugh’s comments to media can be viewed below.
Jim Harbaugh on Champions Week: "Very excited about it and very focused on our opponent. Also very excited about how our players have responded."
— TheWolverine.com (@TheWolverineOn3) December 14, 2020
Jim Harbaugh — on who the starting QB will be if the game happens on Saturday — We'll find out on Saturday #GoBlue
— Michigan Football on UMGoBlue (@UMGoBlog) December 14, 2020
Jim Harbaugh on recruits asking about his status: "That question does come up and I tell them my plan is I'm committed to Michigan. Have been, am and will remain. Warde & I will talk at the end of the season on the current contract, and that's the truth. That's where it stands."
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) December 14, 2020
Jim Harbaugh says “that’s ours plan” when asked if he thinks they’ll be able to play Iowa on Saturday.
— Jason Lewis (@JasonLewis_TV) December 14, 2020
“Those are private matters.” – Jim Harbaugh when asked how many players would be out because of COVID-19 protocols this Saturday against Iowa.
— Jason Lewis (@JasonLewis_TV) December 14, 2020
Harbaugh speaking to the media now. They practiced Sunday and will again today. They expect to play this weekend.
— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) December 14, 2020
Jim Harbaugh — injury update — We'll have an opportunity to answer that on Saturday night… #GoBlue
— Michigan Football on UMGoBlue (@UMGoBlog) December 14, 2020
Jim Harbaugh — on whether he's every spoken to the owner of the Detroit Lions – No #GoBlue
— Michigan Football on UMGoBlue (@UMGoBlog) December 14, 2020
In a Zoom call with reporters, Jim Harbaugh says Michigan had a spirited practice Sunday. The Wolverines were supposed to play Saturday at Ohio State, a game UM canceled because of COVID-19 concerns.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) December 14, 2020
"Yes." — Jim Harbaugh's response when asked if Michigan emphasizes the state of Ohio in recruiting.
Wolverines signed zero Ohio players in 2020 and only have one Ohioan committed in 2021. Ohio-born players have been the backbone of Michigan football for decades.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) December 14, 2020
Mark Schipper is a reporter, sportswriter, and aspiring novelist living in Chicago, Illinois.