ALLEN PARK — Jim Harbaugh sent shockwaves through the college football and NFL world with his decision to depart the University of Michigan after nine seasons to accept the Los Angeles Chargers head coaching job. The decision comes several weeks removed from Harbaugh leading Michigan to its first national championship since 1997.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and guard Graham Glasgow, a pair of ex-Wolverines who played under Harbaugh, knew this day would come at some point. When asked about the departure of his former coach, Peoples-Jones had mixed emotions.
“It’s bittersweet,” Peoples-Jones told MLive. “Because he had a great run at Michigan. It really took him a while to get to that point, and then he got (there). So I’m definitely happy for him and hope that this move positively impacts him and his family.”
People-Jones played three seasons at Michigan under Harbaugh, earning Freshman All-American and two-time Third-team All-Big Ten honors in the process. From his “great quotes” to overall philosophy and approach to football, Peoples-Jones credited Harbaugh’s impact on his football career, sharing, “he definitely inspired me and instilled a lot of good things in me at that young age.”
Glasgow’s perspective on Harbaugh’s departure was in the same ballpark as Peoples-Jones’. He shared with MLive that with Harbaugh leading the Wolverines to three straight Big Ten titles and one national championship, he’s completed everything he probably wanted to at Michigan.
“I feel like he’s a very driven person, and he has his own goals,” Glasgow said. “And at some point, I imagine he did want probably to go and compete for a Super Bowl and win a Super Bowl. So at that point, with that being said, I’m thankful he was there for as long as he was. And I’m thankful he gave back as much to the program as he did.”
Prior to Harbaugh agreeing to join the Chargers, rumors circulated that he and Michigan were embroiled in a contract disagreement. Before a new contract was to be signed, Harbaugh and his lawyers allegedly outlined the specifics they wanted to be agreed upon. Harbaugh’s demands were eventually met by Michigan, who at first refused to back down, but by then he was close to signing a contract with the Chargers.
When questioned about that possibility, Glasgow compared the disastrous Harbaugh-Michigan contract situation to a relationship that has run its course.
“You’re in a relationship with somebody and you want something to change really badly or maybe you’re trying to get more out of them than you’ve been getting, and they refuse to do it, refuse to do it until you (Harbaugh) are really, really ready to leave. They (Michigan) don’t really want to do it,” Glasgow said. “They’re just doing it to appease you at that point in time. And I mean with that, I can understand he’s probably just like, do I really want to keep dealing with this? Or would I rather just go and do something else?”
With Harbaugh heading to Los Angeles, Michigan has a void to fill at head coach. Both Peoples-Jones and Glasgow expressed their desire to see Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore promoted to the vacant position, highlighting his character as a person and the job he did as the interim coach during Harbaugh’s suspension this season.
Glasgow related how, upon re-signing for a second season with the Lions in the offseason, Moore immediately reached out to him. Glasgow was not able to participate due to scheduling issues, but the two were meant to link.
Due to schedule difficulties, I was never able to go do it. However, Glasgow observed, “The guys seem to love him out there, and it just seems like he’s pretty tapped in with some of the alumni stuff.” The team’s male members appear to adore him. In that sense, I believe he has demonstrated his ability to teach and lead by example by going 4-0 in his interim role. Therefore, it appears to me that a
