Glasgow lifts curtain on Harbaugh persona
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MOBILE, Ala. –- Beer commercials are probably not in Jim Harbaugh’s future, but former Michigan offensive lineman Graham Glasgow said the Wolverines’ coach could be a perfect fit for a particular reason.
“You know those commercials, The Most Interesting Man In The World? He’s like the most interesting coach in the world,” Glasgow said this week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
“He’s a really, really genuine guy and he just really cares about his players. Even though he looks crazy out there on game days and all that stuff, he’s really not like that behind closed doors.”
Harbaugh, in his first year at Michigan, has captivated college football and the recruiting world by quickly turning the Wolverines into a relevant national program again and taking the recruiting trail by storm.
The stories are gold -– sleepover at a recruit’s house, climbing trees on an in-home visit, watching Netflix at four-star Connor Murphy’s place, going to four-star Boss Tagaloa’s religion class and the teacher thinking he was the Concord (Calif.) De La Salle coach.
These are stories that would make anyone laugh and tales that might sound peculiar, but to Glasgow, he just shrugs his shoulders and is not surprised. That’s the Harbaugh he came to know this season –- and he embraces it.
“Everything he does, if any other coach did it I feel like it would be weird to me, but coach Harbaugh is like, ‘I’m going to go spend the night at a recruit’s house.’" Glasgow said. "It’s like that’s awesome. He’s a cool guy and that’s sort of what he can do just because of how he is. That’s Coach Harbaugh.”
Prospects are responding. Michigan’s class is fourth in the Rivals team recruiting rankings and the Wolverines are the only squad in the top eight that doesn’t have a five-star commitment.
That might change closer to National Signing Day because top-rated prospect Rashan Gary, a five-star defensive tackle from Paramus (N.J.) Paramus Catholic who visits Clemson this weekend, has Michigan high on his list. Very high.
As for Glasgow, a former walk-on at Michigan, he would have loved to experience the Harbaugh recruiting pitch. Jokingly, Glasgow said, he would have enjoyed any recruiting pitch.
“I was a walk-on, so I would’ve loved for a coach to give me 20 minutes,” he said.
NFL teams are paying attention now. Glasgow has had a strong week here at the Senior Bowl meeting with teams and performing well in practice sessions.
Measuring in at just over 6-foot-6 and 306 pounds, there have been concerns he is too tall to play center in the NFL. Whether it’s center or offensive guard, Glasgow does not seem to mind.
He just wants an opportunity.
“I don’t really think (height) hinders me in any way,” Glasgow said. “I feel comfortable playing center and I like it a lot. It’s a good position for me. I’ve played inside for the past three or four years and that’s what I’ve been most comfortable doing. Whatever they want me to play, I’ll play.”
Three or four questions later, the conversation turned back to Harbaugh, and rightfully so. After all, he is the most interesting man in the world.
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