Jim Harbaugh spotlights several ‘Michigan legends’ for performance vs. Ohio State

ANN ARBOR - To say Jim Harbaugh appreciated what Sherrone Moore did in his absence is an understatement.

“I’m not saying that I’m in a position of granting who a ‘Michigan Man’ is or who isn’t or who a Michigan legend is or is not. I’m not the maker of those two lists,” Harbaugh said on Monday. “But I have nominated people before and I nominate Sherrone Moore as a Michigan legend.”

Moore was the acting head coach during the past three games, as Harbaugh served a suspension, culminating with Saturday’s 30-24 win over No. 2 Ohio State that moved Michigan to 12-0 and into the Big Ten championship.

Needless to say, Harbaugh was pleased with how Moore handled the responsibility, which was in addition to his season-long duties of calling plays as the offensive coordinator and coaching the offensive line.

Harbaugh nominated Michigan defensive backs Will Johnson and Rod Moore as Michigan legends as well. They each had an interception on Saturday: Johnson’s was deep in Ohio State’s territory and set up the game’s first score, a Michigan touchdown; Moore’s sealed the victory with 25 seconds left.

Harbaugh kept going, referencing many players on both sides of the ball in addition to special teams contributors. Defensive back Mike Sainristil had “another tremendous game,” but he was already a Michigan legend according to Harbaugh. The coach cited defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (“monster game of defeating blocks”), linebacker Junior Colson (who played through pain in both hands), defensive back Quinten Johnson (who delivered a big hit to break up a potential long completion), and others.

Harbaugh credited J.J. McCarthy for being a “guardian of victory.” Many offensive players were already Michigan legends who added to their legacies on Saturday, per Harbaugh, such as running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards and wide receiver Roman Wilson. As for fullback Max Bredeson, “if he’s not (a Michigan legend), I nominate him,” Harbaugh said.

Michigan put a stamp on a perfect regular season and will meet Iowa in the Big Ten championship on Saturday in Indianapolis. The Wolverines are a big favorite to return to the College Football Playoff for a third straight season.

“Maybe they will get the credit that they’re due,” Harbaugh said, though he later conceded it may not be possible for those outside of Schembechler Hall to realize how special this team is.

He went out of his way to explain one of his favorite sayings, which he borrowed from his father: “Who’s got it better than us?” (The proper response is “noooobody.”) Harbaugh uses it with his players and his family.

“What I’m really stating to them is that there is no coach who can possibly have it better than to coach you,” Harbaugh said. “There’s no dad that can possibly have it better when I’m talking to my kids. That’s my love language. And when they say ‘nobody’ back, what I’m hearing them say is they love their team, they love the direction of the program, and nobody could have it better than to be here.”

As for Moore, he said he talked to Harbaugh after the game. They mostly talked about injured offensive lineman Zak Zinter, but Harbaugh congratulated Moore as well. “He just said, ‘You called (the game) how I thought you should. Every decision was the right one,’” Moore said. “He said I was a stone-cold killer.”

Moore had a feeling that type of performance was coming because of how the Wolverines prepared. They came out of a 30-minute walk-through last Monday as if it were a 10-hour installation of the entire game plan. That focused continued throughout the week and showed on Saturday.

“There was a moment before the game, it was like this beautiful calm,” Moore said. “The crowd was singing ‘Seven Nation Army’ and I looked at the players and said, ‘Man, I’ve got full trust in them so we’re all good.’”