Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, the reigning Big Ten East third-place finisher, took to the podium in Chicago on Tuesday (while wearing a Block "M" hat) to address assembled media as the Wolverines prepare for camp.
Harbaugh skipped his opening statement and went straight to questions.
Some highlights:
- On why the Rome trip and future trips will be valuable to his team: “It’s incredible to connect with somebody from a different country. To see something you haven’t seen before. To taste a food you haven’t tasted before. To hear a language you haven’t heard before. … To be able to experience it as a group makes it almost 900 times better. … It’s a chance to put the college back in college football.”
- On how defensive tackle Rashan Gary has handled preseason hype: “There are some people that live for the approval of others. … And then there are other people that see that hype or adulation and they go by it like it’s an [orange] cone on the side of the road. … I think Rashan is that type of guy."
- Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst has handled the hype “very well” despite it “being overdue.” People are “starting to appreciate what he brings to the football team.”
- “We had three really good practices over [in Rome]. It was interesting to watch how players performed after six hours after sightseeing. … We pushed ourselves not to take any breaks.” Noted the Roman Coliseum was active for over 600 years, which is crazy considering 30-40 years is a big deal for a stadium these days.
- On the NCAA doing away with two-a-day practices: “It makes all the sense in the world. There is nobody really having three-a-day or two-a-days anymore. Hospital residents aren’t doing sleep deprivation anymore… I’m all for it. They get a day a week of rest. I think everybody deserves that.”
- Harbaugh had a chance to “go to a couple clinics” where new Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck spoke. “Mainly just watched him win games [at Western Michigan]. … I think he’s a fine coach and competitor.”
- Harbaugh hopes the three losses to finish the 2016 season “drives his team a lot.” Hopes it causes his team to coach, play, and train harder.
- Starting quarterback Wilton Speight “is in a good spot,” but will compete with John O’Korn and Brandon Peters for the starting position. Harbaugh noted Peters “really shot up” during spring ball. Harbaugh plans to “throw the balls out there and let them compete” when camp starts because there is a lot a QB can do to improve in the spring.
- Opening with Florida “is a good factor” in giving Michigan “a boost” during training camp.
Michigan opens camp next Monday on July 31. Its 2017 starts Sept. 2nd in Dallas against Florida.
