There’s no denying that Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore thinks highly of his predecessor, Jim Harbaugh. The most notable example of this was Moore’s postgame interview following Michigan’s massive road win over No. 10 Penn State. The Wolverines found out less than 24-hours before kickoff that Harbaugh wouldn’t be available to coach, due to a three-game suspension issued by the Big Ten Conference – meaning Moore would step into the role of acting head coach for Michigan’s biggest game of the season at that point.
It was a gritty performance by the Wolverines, who closed out the 24-15 win by running the ball a whopping 32 consecutive times. Following the massive win, Moore stepped to the microphone and gave one of the most memorable postgame interviews in college football history.
“I want to thank the Lord,” Moore said as he fought through his emotions. “I want to thank Coach Harbaugh, f***ing love you man. I love the sh*t out of you man. Did this for you, for this University, the President, our AD. We got the best players, best university, best alumni in the country. I love you guys.”
Moore continued to serve as acting head coach for the two remaining regular season games, notching wins over Maryland and No. 2 Ohio State. Once Michigan completed its 2023 national championship season, Harbaugh – who accepted a position to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers – advocated heavily for Moore to be his successor at Michigan.
“Jim talked effusively about Sherrone before the season, after the season and in our conversation on Wednesday and really gave me the insight why he was our choice,” athletic director Warde Manuel said.
It’s been less than two weeks since Moore was named the 21st head coach in Michigan Football history, and he’s already started the process of decorating his new office – the same office that Harbaugh called home for nearly a decade. Although Harbaugh has moved on, Moore made sure that Harbaugh’s presence is still very much visible.
A bronze bust of Harbaugh is displayed prominently behind Moore’s desk, an homage to the man who gave Moore his biggest and most consequential coaching opportunity to date. There’s another bronze bust displayed on the opposite side of the wall, but it’s not yet clear who it is. Harbaugh had a bronze bust of Bo Schembechler during his occupancy of that office, and it’s possible that Moore is continuing with that tradition.
