I’ve heard of satellite camps, but this is ridiculous, and would likely change the entire game.
Trying to once again stay ahead of the competition — The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Harbaugh is looking into practicing at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
U-M is attempting to hold a portion of its spring football practice in Florida at the IMG Academy, according to a person with knowledge of the plans but is not authorized to speak publicly.
The news was first reported by TheWolverine.com.
While a Michigan official was unable to comment at this time, the plan makes sense.
IMG Academy is located in Bradenton, Fla. and has dorm-style rooms and small apartments available plus multiple football fields on its campus. There is also a common dining hall area for the team to eat if necessary.
Harbaugh has made multiple trips to visit the campus during recruiting since coming to Michigan, including a trip during Michigan’s football bye week last October.
Michigan is in the enviable position of having a large football budget (over $64 million surplus for the 2013-14 fiscal year) so the resources would not be a problem.
While the locale may not be an issue — practice time, and schedules likely are.
The issues would be the location and the amount of practice time. The NCAA spring practice rules (bylaw 17.10.6.4) govern how often a team can practice (15 times) and the span (34 calendar days not counting schools vacations) and how much contact there can be (only in 12 of the 15 practices). There is nothing noted about the location.
Harbaugh the innovator has struck again.
