Harbaugh talks expectations, quarterbacks and... 'constitutional' rights?

Published Apr. 16, 2015 5:42 p.m. ET

Marcus Hartman

What effect has Jim Harbaugh's arrival had on Michigan?

Senior linebacker Joe Bolden might have put it best.

"Surrounding the program things are very Hollywood-ified," Bolden said Thursday on the Big Ten coaches teleconference.

The Cincinnati native admitted he had to make up a word and explained there is a difference between how things look from the outside and how they are inside Schembechler Hall.

"But within the program the intensity and the enthusiasm for going out every day and competing (is) not only on the field but it never stops," Bolden said. "Just being in meeting rooms and working out and when we're running too, the competition and enthusiasm is in every aspect of this program right now."

Harbaugh's portion of the teleconference was not quite so enlightening, although the former Wolverines quarterback confirmed what he said after Michigan held its spring game April 4 when asked about who will play that position this fall.

"Shane Morris comes out of spring ball as the No. 1 quarterback," he said of the junior who outperformed true freshman Alex Malzone in the spring game.

Holding onto that spot might not be easy, though, as Iowa transfer Jake Rudock is set to join the program this summer and compete for the starting job this fall.

"Expect it will be a very good competition with an experienced player," Harbaugh said of Rudock, who was the starter the Hawkeyes for most of the last two seasons and was able to transfer for his final year of eligibility after completing his undergrad work in Iowa City. "He's hungry to compete. I think it will be good for him. First of all it's really good for him academically, very good for him athletically in terms of opportunity to compete for a role. Whether that be a starting role, I know that's where his goals are aligned and I'm excited to watch it go down."

Whether Harbaugh finds a productive starting quarterback or not, his return to Michigan seems to have energized the fan base in Ann Arbor and those who fly the Maize and Blue all over the state and beyond.

Asked about skyrocketing expectations that accompanied his arrival, Harbaugh had a response that was, if not exactly literal, at least diplomatic.

"Fans have a constitutional right to expect success and have high expectations," he said. "Players, coaches, staff -- we all have the high expectations, too. We have really high expectations for this week's workouts and continuing to get stronger, get faster and get better."