Jim Harbaugh will return to Michigan football coaching duties on Saturday, and he has the full support of university president Santa Ono.
What a season for the University of Michigan football team. The Wolverines have been one of the best teams in college football, going 12-0 and ranking second in the country, with half of their victories coming without head coach Jim Harbaugh. He missed the first three games of the Michigan season due to a situation involving minor recruiting violations, and he missed the final three due to the Wolverines’ ongoing sign-stealing investigation.
Jim Harbaugh was suspended as a result of the investigation, but there is no evidence that he was aware of illegal sign-stealing, and he claims that he was unaware. It’s up to you whether you believe him or not, but University of Michigan President Santa Ono does.
“It’s true that he has been on the sideline for six games, but we have won all six of those games,” Santa Ono said, according to a Click on Detroit article. “I just want to say that it’s a credit to him. The coaches have spoken to me about the situation and have stated that he has no knowledge of what occurred, and I believe them. He’s a man of integrity.
“Everyone who knows him is aware of this. The investigation is ongoing. We’ll have to wait and see what happens. But I want to state unequivocally, and it’s no secret to anyone, that I trust the guy. I believe he is one of the best coaches in the NFL or NCAA, and the football team and his coaches adore him. “The greatest sign of a great coach, in my opinion, is that the team wins whether or not he is on the sideline.”
Ono has always been a fan of Harbaugh and the Michigan football team, and he believes it is obvious how good of a coach and person Harbaugh is.
“I don’t know if you saw that interview right after the Penn State win — it’s a tough game, you know?” Ono went on. “They thought he’d be there until that day.”
“Did you see Sherrone’s (Moore’s) interview?” He was sobbing. ‘I love you, coach,’ he said. ‘Coach, I adore you.’ Then you hear J.J. (McCarthy) during the Ohio State game. ‘I love you, coach,’ he said. We’re missing you.’ That is significant. That says a lot about the type of coach he is.”
Harbaugh will be back this weekend when Michigan plays Iowa in the Big Ten Championship game. Ono knows he’s a great coach and is thrilled to have him back.
“Coach told me that if you coach a team well, it’ll coach itself, and boy, did it ever do that,” said Ono. “He also stated that every single play called by Sherrone would have been the same plays he would have called.”
