Maddie Mariani stood tall, took a breath and composed herself. Then the freshman sped down the runway, gracefully launching herself over the vault, landing cleanly on the mat. She was then mobbed by her coaches and teammates.
The scoreboard flashed a solid 9.825.
For Mariana and her teammates it was a moment of exhalation, energy and, for the first time in over a week, normalcy.
The hiring of former Alabama co-offensive coordinator Josh Gattis to become the offensive coordinator (yes, the sole offensive coordinator) at Michigan on Thursday is the latest and most discernible proof of Harbaugh’s willingness to evolve.
Michigan defensive line coach Greg Mattison has accepted a job to join the staff at Ohio State, as first reported by the Wolverines Wire. And for Harbaugh and Michigan, an offseason already sure to be rife with questions just reached a fever pitch.
“Next year, we’re not going to try to go backwards,” Winovich said, speaking of the program he’s now leaving. While Winovich might be correct that regression seems unlikely, the Harbaugh era has become increasingly defined by one question: Is progression really any more likely?
ATLANTA — Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh could do nothing but stand behind to the 20-yard line, hands on his knees, body hunched over, stride widened. When running back Lamical Perine took a screen pass five yards, crossing the end zone untouched to extend Florida’s lead to 20-10, the fourth-year head coach stood up, crossed his legs and moved his hands to his hips. No yelling. No outward animosity.
Apathy seemed fitting.
On a team littered with returning offensive talent, Gentry would serve as a centerpiece and a safety-blanket in Patterson’s second year under center. “He’s a heck of a target,” Patterson said, after the Maryland game on Oct. 6, in which Gentry caught seven passes for 112 yards.
In total, Harbaugh and co. bring in 15 four-star players and nine three-star players to go along with Hill, the lone five-star, according to 247sports composite ranking. It will likely finish as Harbaugh’s 3rd top-10 class nationally, and, barring something unforeseen, the first time at Michigan he’s compiled the top class in the conference.
Sophomore defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon is transferring from the Michigan football program after two seasons, per a report from Watch Stadium’s Brett McMurphy.
Perhaps anti-climactically, the season will end in the Peach Bowl against No. 10 Florida.
Standing at the podium, hat fixed, mood stoic, there wasn’t much Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh could say.