Michigan football 'invested' in Jim Harbaugh's mantra: 'Providence will favor the prepared'

Jim Harbaugh doesn't know if there will be a season this fall. 

But if there is, he believes Michigan football will be adequately prepared. 

Despite the coronavirus pandemic halting all athletic activities in mid-March and canceling Michigan's spring practices, Harbaugh said it has been "a great offseason." 

And he's hoping that continues as the team inches closer to the resumption of football activities on July 24. 

"It was a great winter cycle that was interrupted," he said during a call with local reporters Wednesday. "Even at that time, you could really see from a team perspective, talent and work ethic, too, by their effort and their talent, and their leadership, it’s a very, very strong team in terms of that.

"That continued through those three, four months when guys were away from here. Even though we didn’t have a spring practice. But now (they're) back. I see that same momentum. The guys have invested a lot and they’re very excited and they’re also leading by example and they’re leading each other. It’s been really a high level. Workouts get tougher and time demands get tougher, but so far, so good in terms of the commitment of the team.”

Players returned to campus in mid-June and have been participating in voluntary workouts while adhering to the state government's social distancing guidelines. Harbaugh says the team has been healthy and "really great" about following all the protocols in place — from wearing masks, being cautious when out in public, and social distancing. 

"A lot of the feedback has been that their peers, other people in their age group, are somewhat or very cavalier about the virus," Harbaugh said. "Their response has been they want to be part of the solution. They’ve been terrific. I think they really understand there’s great value to keeping their own personal health but (also) that of their teammates."

He also has been satisfied with his team's physical condition. When the COVID-19 outbreak began, shutting down campus, players were given the option to remain in Ann Arbor or go home. The program's training facilities were closed, which forced players to work out on their own and keep track of their own nutrition.

Some found unconventional ways to stay in shape, such as pushing trucks down the street or doing pull-ups on playground equipment. Many chose to share their workout experiences with Harbaugh, including freshman defensive back R.J. Moten, whom  Harbaugh singled out for praise Wednesday.

"He must’ve had a Fitbit watch but he would text me, especially his bike-riding workouts, he had a workout where he was riding with his trainer and other guys," he said. "One of the workouts was a 52-mile bike ride. He was doing it a couple times a week. When he finally did show up, just looked great."

As it stands, Harbaugh believes Moten wasn't an exception. He thinks the Wolverines stayed in shape during the shutdown, avoiding any potential setbacks due to the unique circumstances.

"The thing we suggested and they really bought into was, 'Providence will favor the prepared,' " Harbaugh said. "Even the question of, 'Will we have a season?' Better to be prepared and not have the opportunity than to have the opportunity and not be prepared. And I think our guys have done a tremendous job."

There's still no clear answer as to whether football will be played this fall. But for now, Harbaugh and Michigan continue to prepare as if there will be a season — and he's looking forward to getting a better look at his team once football activities pick up in the coming weeks. 

"We’ll get involved as coaches on July 24," he said. "Right now it’s been more of safety oversight. But to really get in there and start being around them every day — meetings, walk-throughs, workouts, (that) starts July 24.”

Contact Orion Sang at osang@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @orion_sang. Read more on the Michigan Wolverines and sign up for our Wolverines newsletter.