In a reference to coach Jim Harbaugh, who is now serving a three-game suspension from the school, Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy wore a “FREE Harbaugh” jersey before and after the game on Saturday.
As he walked off the bus, during pregame warm-ups, and during the postgame news conference, McCarthy donned the Harbaugh No. 4 shirt with the word “FREE” scrawled in marker on white tape above the coach’s name.
“I just want my coach back,” McCarthy said after his team thrashed East Carolina on Saturday.
On the team’s opening offensive possession, the players held up four fingers in tribute to Harbaugh’s former Wolverines jersey number as they lined up in the notorious train formation that he popularized.
McCarthy added, “That was definitely a tribute to Coach Harbaugh.” That was a really great thing to do.”
Harbaugh ban explained
The university has self-imposed sanctions on Harbaugh as a result of an NCAA investigation into inappropriate recruiting contact and Harbaugh’s alleged lack of cooperation with the NCAA. Since Sherrone Moore, the offensive coordinator, was also serving a one-game ban due to the inquiry, Jesse Minter, the defensive coordinator, took over as the head coach for Saturday’s game.
The Wolverines, especially McCarthy, who threw for 280 yards and three touchdown passes in the victory, didn’t seem to be affected by it. McCarthy claims that Harbaugh and Moore watched Saturday’s game together while they were serving their suspensions.
During the week, Harbaugh was able to lead the team and assist the coaching staff with the game plan.
