Tag: Big Ten Media Days

WATCH: Jim Harbaugh discusses Michigan football at 2023 Big Ten media days podium session

Coach gathered the biggest crowd, as he always does! #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS — On day two of Big Ten media days at Lucas Oil Stadium, it was clear that there was a main character.

Generating a crowd bigger than any other entity across the two days, media came to the afternoon podium sessions to ask Jim Harbaugh about the Michigan football team in 2023, about the personnel that will be taking the field, to try and get information about the NCAA investigation and potential suspension, as well as to discuss other topics.

WolverinesWire was there, front and center and captured the entire 38-minute question-and-answer session. You can watch the entire session in the video below.

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Alex Grinch addresses the media, discusses his job security and more

Alex Grinch talked to the press in Los Angeles on Thursday. He knows the pressure is squarely on his shoulders at #USC.

The life of a big-time football coach always involves pressure, but to varying degrees and measures. Alex Grinch feels pressure this year at USC, but then again, he feels pressure every year.

What matters the most: Can Grinch live up to the pressure this season and meet the expectations Lincoln Riley and USC fans have for him?

Grinch is a first-class public figure in terms of directly acknowledging his failures and owning his shortcomings. He doesn’t duck responsibility. He doesn’t throw his players under the bus. That’s admirable. Yet, a coach can win only so much admiration by owning up to failures. The greatest admiration is reserved for the coaches who create accountability and succeed.

Grinch talked to assembled media members on Thursday as part of USC media day in Los Angeles. He discussed the pressure of potentially coaching for his job this season. He also discussed the 2022 team’s turnover differential, which is unlikely to be matched in 2023.

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Twitter reacts to Nebraska at Big Ten media day

Nebraska participated in day two of the Big Ten media days.

Nebraska participated in day two of the Big Ten media days. Head football coach Matt Rhule spoke with the press as he prepares for his first season in charge in Lincoln.

Rhule was joined in Indianapolis by three players. Those three players were Luke Reimer, Jeff Sims and Ethan Piper. The head coach spoke glowingly about his players.

All three of those guys, they’re not just here for their own accomplishments — and they’re all very accomplished — they’re also here because they represent our team. And I know it’s just the beginning — we’re just getting started. But I like this team. I like our players. And I hope you see really good football this fall.

You can find Twitter reactions to Nebraska’s appearance at Big Ten media days below.

Big Ten media days were overshadowed by Colorado, Big 12, Pac-12

#B1G media days were supposed to be a significant college sports story this week, but the Colorado news got in the way. #USC

Big Ten media days were eagerly anticipated by USC fans this summer, given that the Trojans will enter the conference next year. However, real life and the course of current events took the focus of the college sports world elsewhere.

Colorado, the fate of the Pac-12, and a new round of realignment moves overshadowed everything which happened at Big Ten media days in Indianapolis.

Buckeyes Wire and Nittany Lions Wire covered notable stories, but they didn’t make a national splash because of the Pac-12’s existential crisis.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day addressed the topic of where the OSU-Michigan game will exist on the calendar in future Big Ten football schedules.

(h/t Phil Harrison of Buckeyes Wire)

“Remember, Day isn’t a native to this rivalry. He isn’t an Ohio guy but is from New Hampshire. Don’t get me wrong. He’s fully embraced all things Ohio State and we keep saying and believing he’s the right guy for the job despite the last two losses to TTUN. However, I don’t know that Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, Woody Hayes, and certainly, Earle Bruce, would even entertain messing with the calendar of The Game.

“And based on comments Day made further, it sure sounds like there are conversations already taking place.

“’I know they’re talking about it, I just don’t think any hard decisions have been made, and I don’t think they’re gonna be made here real soon,’ continued Day. ‘I just want to be part of those conversations.’”

James Franklin of Penn State commented on Big Ten scheduling.

(h/t Brad Wakai of Nittany Lions Wire)

“There’s going to be some things that are gained, and there’s going to be some things that are lost. But I think for the most part, the benefits will outweigh those things. You talk about some of the historical games and some of the exciting games that have been played and opponents, I think for the most part, those will still happen, but there will be some times where there’s different teams or a lack of a team on your schedule that you’re used to playing.”

These comments would ordinarily have made news in the college sports world, but with Colorado leaving the Pac-12 and joining the Big 12 to usher in another round of realignment, these stories from USC’s future conference didn’t make a big dent in the college sports news cycle this week.

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Photo gallery: Michigan football, other teams, at Big Ten media days on Thursday

The boys looked good! #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS — On Thursday, it was Michigan football’s turn to partake in the 2023 edition of Big Ten media days at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh was the headliner, along with the three players in attendance — Kris Jenkins, Mike Sainristil, and Blake Corum. But Indiana, Purdue, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Nebraska all had representatives participate on Thursday.

From the press conference session in the morning to the Michigan football representatives at the podium session later in the afternoon, we caught a glimpse of some of the coaches, players, and media in attendance.

Here are our favorite shots from the big event to kick off the season.

Ohio State football: Thoughts and things we learned following Big Ten media days

What were your takeaways from what Day said? #GoBucks

It was short and sweet for Ohio State head coach [autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag] and the three players ([autotag]Marvin Harrison Jr[/autotag]., [autotag]Cade Stover[/autotag] and [autotag]J.T. Tuimoloau[/autotag]) that represented the Buckeyes at Big Ten media days.

The four all spoke on Wednesday, during the first half to the event and everyone who was set to speak wrapped up on Thursday afternoon.

There was so much to learn from what Day said. I caught both of his podium conversations, a recap of the main talk is here while his other chance with the media was much longer and more thorough.

Find out below what I thought stood out the most from Day’s time with the media and a few other thoughts around the Big Ten.

Everything Jim Harbaugh said at his Big Ten media days press conference

Great stuff from Coach! #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS — First, Lucas Oil Stadium saw seven head coaches take to the stage for day one of Big Ten media days in Indianapolis on Wednesday. On Thursday, it was Jim Harbaugh’s turn, along with six other coaches.

Harbaugh, per usual, was the last of the day, and got 15 minutes to speak about the state of the Michigan Wolverines as they prepare for the 2023 college football season. The maize and blue headman discussed the NCAA violations, Cade McNamara’s impact on the team prior to his transfer, how J.J. McCarthy has progressed, the NCAA transfer portal, and how the One More Year Fund has helped the team retain stars from the year before.

Here is everything he had to say.

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell gives injury updates entering training camp

Luke Fickell spoke on the team’s injury status at Media Days:

Wisconsin opens training camp for the 2023 season in about a week. As we count down the days, head coach Luke Fickell took to the podium at Big Ten media days to discuss his start in Madison and the upcoming season.

One note from his availability related to injury updates entering camp, this after several of Wisconsin’s big transfer portal additions missed much of spring practice.

Players to miss time during the spring included wide receiver Bryson Green, offensive lineman Jake Renfro, defensive lineman Darian Varner and WR Chris Brooks Jr. Fickell’s update at Big Ten media days noted he will have most of the team healthy for training camp.

Unfortunately for myself and others who have waited years to see Aaron Witt on the field again, that will have to wait another few weeks it seems.

Otherwise, Renfro figures to start along the offensive line this fall, and Varner could serve as a valuable piece of the defensive line. The team generally seems healthier than it was entering the spring period.

Jim Harbaugh asked about NCAA suspension at Big Ten media days

Expected answer. #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS — Jim Harbaugh has often been the main character of Big Ten media days and 2023 was set to be no different.

On the eve of day one at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that there was a potential four-game suspension coming down the pike for the Michigan football head coach due to his alleged misleading of NCAA investigators looking into violations.

Harbaugh took to the dais on Thursday, day two, and he was asked whether the suspension is confirmed. He demured, saying he’s not allowed to discuss it at this time.

“So, as you already know, I’m not allowed to talk about any aspect of that ongoing situation,” Harbaugh said. “I’m with you. I’d love to lay it all out there. Nothing to be ashamed of and but now it’s not that time and that’s about all there is to say about that.”

Par for the course, in that it makes sense that he cannot say anything until any punishment is finalized.

Harbaugh still has a 45-minute session coming up later on Thursday at the podium.

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Bret Bielema has a strong take on Wisconsin’s new air raid offense

Media Days have been eventful thus far…

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema stole the headlines entering Big Ten media days this week when he hired former Wisconsin DC Jim Leonhard as a senior analyst.

The hire led to a reaction from fans online, comments by Bielema and even a statement from legendary Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez.

There is much more to take away from the event in Indianapolis. But before the page is turned to what Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell, Braelon Allen, Tanner Mordecai and Maema Njongmeta had to say, there is one more comment from Bielema to highlight.

Related: Where Paul Chryst, Wisconsin’s entire 2022 coaching staff ended up

Given he is a former head coach at Wisconsin and knows the fabric of the program quite well, he was asked for thoughts on the shift to an air raid offense under Phil Longo:

There’s a weird dynamic going on with older Wisconsin coaches and fans. It feels like if the Badgers’ new system falls on its face and fails, many will take joy in the downfall and point back to what the program’s approach used to be.

I’m sure any Wisconsin fan would agree with Bielema’s words on the surface. If the new offense doesn’t work, the situation could get rough on the field. But pair the Leonhard hire with all of this, and it feels like the Illinois head coach wants to say karma at the end of the day.