Michigan Football: Grooming Jay Harbaugh to be a head coach

During Jim Harbaugh’s dalliance with the NFL, one thing I noticed researching coaches is how many have experience on both sides of the ball.

Matt Rhule gained experience as a position coach on both sides and has parlayed that experience into three head coaching jobs. New Michigan football co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss coached on both sides of the ball while with the Baltimore Ravens. Weiss has not landed a head coaching job yet but he is on the fast track at just 38 years old.

Two of the very best coaches in the NFL showed their coaching versatility as assistants. While the great Bill Belichick is known as a defensive mastermind, one of his first coaching jobs was as a wide receiver with the Detroit Lions in 1976.

Jim’s brother, John, coached running backs, tight ends, outside linebackers, and defensive backs in addition to being a special teams coordinator before landing with the Ravens.

It may sound simple, but it is beneficial to have a head coach with experience on both sides of the ball as an assistant. While many coaches have a specialty on one side of the ball, once they become the head coach, they are responsible for the entire team. When Michigan football announced it was moving Jay Harbaugh to defense, it certainly raised my eyebrows.

Jay Harbaugh could be a future head coach

During the shuffling of Michigan football’s coaching staff, Jim Harbaugh moved his son, Jay, to the safeties coaching position in addition to his duties as the special teams’ coordinator.

Last season, Jay coached Michigan’s tight ends and was key to the breakout seasons by Erick All and Luke Schoonmaker.

Previously, he coached tight ends and running backs before the move back to tight ends. He played a part in the development of standouts tight end Jake Butt and running back Karan Higdon.

Additionally, Jay Harbaugh has been one of the most underrated recruiters on Michigan’s staff. While at Michigan, he has played a role in securing 12 four-star recruits, including Donovan Edwards, Blake Corum, Tarik Black, and 2022 signee Colston Loveland.

First, the task at hand will be getting Michigan’s safeties ready for next season. The Wolverines are losing Daxton Hill and Brad Hawkins.

However, Harbaugh will still be inheriting a talented room led by RJ Moten and Rod Moore Jr. The Wolverines also signed one of the top safety classes in the country with Zeke Berry, Keon Sabb, and Damani Dent.

The move to defense for Harbaugh not only shows his adaptability but also provides an opportunity for him to grow as a coach.

Harbaugh is just 32 years old, but he has already racked up a ton of experience. It is not unreasonable to think that he may land a coordinator and/or head coaching job in the next five years.

Should Jay prove himself capable on the defensive side of the ball, he may open up himself up to more opportunities at Michigan or elsewhere.

While his father is staying with Michigan football, for the time being, you know when the time may come for Michigan to replace. As we saw there was a dearth of quality candidates had Jim gone back to the NFL. However, it is that clear Jim is developing his son to be a future head coach.