Michigan Wolverines football head coach Jim Harbaugh made his first public comments since his team's spring practice and team activities were canceled, in a Friday podcast interview with Jay Nordlinger of the National Review.
There have been reports and speculation on the chances of college football playing a full season, abbreviated season or no season at all. Contingency plans are reportedly being put in place, but Harbaugh remains optimistic that the season will go on, and is planning as though it will.
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“Hope and going to prepare,” Harbaugh said. “Not going to give it one thought that it’s not going to happen, because it’s like being a backup quarterback. I learned this, that it’s better to be prepared and not have the opportunity than to not prepare and your chance comes and your opportunity comes and you’re not prepared to do it. You gotta ... not one thought that it won’t happen.”
Meanwhile, Harbaugh is hard at work from home — like many around the country — preparing for the season. He and his staff have been conducting video calls and virtual film sessions with top recruits. He's also utilizing this time to spend time with family.
"I'm working," Harbaugh said when asked what his routine is amid the pandemic. "God has virtually stopped the world from spinning, but doing things from home, calls like I see a lot of people doing. Also, just things with my kids. Coaching — there's so many hours a day that you work. It's 365 days a year, so I'm trying to make memories with my kids. We're picking a different thing to do every day, things that we haven't ever done.
"Trying to do things with my wife and kids so I can look back and say, 'This was the time we got to spend a whole month together and made memories.'"
Harbaugh noted that he's missing the team being together, as it would have been from March 17 to April 18 for spring practice.
"I miss the team being together and practicing, and the coaches, the managers,” Harbaugh said. "Everybody being around and working toward a goal. Just the company. They’re fun, hilarious and good guys. Being around them everyday, I miss them."
The Wolverines are scheduled to open their season on Sept. 5 in Seattle against the Washington Huskies.
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