No need to flip a coin to see who kicks off in Saturday’s University of Hawaii vs. Michigan football game when the head coaches can duel for the rights.
Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday he’d “be open” to a coach-on-coach quarterback challenge with Nick Rolovich before the nationally televised game in Ann Arbor as the Hawaii coach proposed.
“Yeah, I’d be open to it,” Harbaugh said in response to a question on the Big Ten Conference media teleconference.
Rolovich, who worked a camp at UH with Harbaugh, had earlier challenged the former Michigan All-America honoree to a passing competition, @NickRolovich tweeting: “I wonder if @CoachJim4UM would be up for a coach’s pre-game QB battle in the Big House 9/3/16?”
Harbaugh, who likes to show off his accuracy in pregame warmups, said, “Quarterback shootout? Interesting. I’ll see what he has in mind. Yeah, I’d be glad to talk to Nick about that. Sounds like a challenge, huh?”
Harbaugh then said, “I think I know what competition he is talking about. So, that would be interesting. Yeah, I’d be open to it.”
Rolovich’s March Tweet came on the heels of an ESPN listing of all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision coaches ranking them on their football careers. Harbaugh, who was a Big Ten MVP and finished third in 1986 Heisman balloting, topped the list. Rolovich, who still holds some UH records, was No. 22.
For the game, the Wolverines are 40.5-point favorites.
Of their camp experience together, Harbaugh said, “It was great day of football. That’s the best way to describe it. Nick and I were teamed up (for) most of the day, shared drills and talking football. It was a real memorable day for me.”
Harbaugh said, “I had a great time (at the Hawaii camp), so did our whole staff. I have great respect for Coach and his entire staff.”
