Advertisement

Jim Harbaugh on spring practice: 'It's like coming out of the mother's womb'

No school went bigger than Michigan, which poached Jim Harbaugh from the NFL. (AP)
No school went bigger than Michigan, which poached Jim Harbaugh from the NFL. (AP)

Eight weeks after being introduced as Michigan’s head coach, Jim Harbaugh held his first practice as the head of the Wolverines’ program on Tuesday afternoon. Coming off a disappointing 5-7 campaign, Harbaugh knows the team has a lot to work on – but he’s certainly excited to get started.

“It's like Thanksgiving. It's like New Year's Day. It's like a family reunion. And having it all rolled into one,” Harbaugh told MGoBlue.com of the first day of practice. “Most people think of January 1st as the start of a new year. Us in football, the start of spring practice and the first day of summer training camp are what you look at as the New Year with fireworks going off, it's your birthday.

“It's being born back into football, it's a happening. It's like coming out of the mother's womb. You're in a nice, warm, cozy environment  safe. And now you are out into the chaos and bright lights. It's a happening. It's all those things rolled into one.”

As a Michigan alum who played quarterback for the Wolverines from 1983-1986, Harbaugh admitted that his first practice leading the program is special.

“I'm sure it will be a big thrill,” Harbaugh said. “I'm sure I'll be feeling the same emotions that everyone will be – the players, coaches, managers, trainers, equipment personnel and the whole staff. It's that first day of school. I will lay my clothes out tonight. I will triple-set my alarm and be here attacking it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”

If Harbaugh knows one position the field more than any other, it’s quarterback. Devin Gardner is out of the picture and Harbaugh says the battle for the starting role between junior Shane Morris, redshirt freshman Wilton Speight and true freshman Alex Malzone is wide open.

“We'll roll the balls out there and let the fellas compete,” Harbaugh said. “And the hope is that it will be clear-cut. It will be that the cream will rise to the top. By their play, by their talent, by their execution, somebody will state their case and make their argument.”

While Harbaugh has watched the game tape from the 2014 season, he doesn’t take a whole lot from it. The previous regime coached in different ways and Harbaugh is eager to give the guys on his roster a fresh start.

“You don't always know what a player was coached, what his technique was, what he was being asked to do. And I've gotten myself into the habit of starting with a fresh slate,” Harbaugh said. “Everybody has a chance to make a great first impression and then build on it from there. Everybody is going in on an even footing.”

The Wolverines will hold three practices per week leading up to the team’s Spring Game on Saturday, April 4 at Michigan Stadium.

For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.

- - - - - - -

Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!