Sherrone Moore addresses possibility of Jim Harbaugh hiring staff away from Michigan

New Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh was blunt about telling his former Michigan players he wants the Chargers to become “Michigan West,” which can be a bit of a scary proposition depending upon the context.

Harbaugh, of course, meant that he wants there to be a strong bond between the Chargers and Wolverines going forward. Maybe even a pipeline of sorts to the NFL for the most talented Michigan players.

Of course, there’s another reality to that phrase.

Jim Harbaugh still has to hire a staff in Los Angeles. And as he does, it could directly impact the current Michigan program. He has many relationships with staffers of all different statures at Michigan, folks who could easily make the jump with him to the NFL.

New Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore was asked about that possibility on Saturday at an introductory press conference.

From the sound of it, though, Moore doesn’t sound overly concerned about Harbaugh raiding the staff. Or, at least, he doesn’t sound too worried about getting blindsided by any such moves.

“Somebody I leaned on on a daily basis on many things, so 100% it will be back and forth, me talking to him, him talking to me,” Moore said. “We’ve already started that. So there will be 100% of transparency of what’s going on between our organization and them. Excited for what he’s going to do there.”

While there wasn’t a ton of context on the “Michigan West” comment, which came at a meeting of Harbaugh with his players upon his departure, The Wolverine did report some additional quotes that lend to the idea that Harbaugh won’t seek to gut the program he spent so many years helping build.

And with enough differences between the NFL and the college level, it’s likely that he won’t poach too many staffers.

One who will be included, it seems, is defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. CBS Sports reported he is expected to join Harbaugh in Los Angeles.

But Harbaugh was blunt with his players about wanting a cordial relationship between his new organization and his old.

“One thing I hope for is that Michigan and the Chargers will be like one team,” Harbaugh said. “These are lasting, trusting relationships.”

Based on his comments, Sherrone Moore certainly seems to be expecting the same.