UM's Jim Harbaugh: 'I'm going to root for Ohio State'

Many Michigan football fans say they can never root for Ohio State, even if it helps the Wolverines.

Do not count new football coach Jim Harbaugh in that grouping. He said he will root for Ohio State to beat Oregon in Monday's National Championship game at AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas.

"I am going to root for Ohio State," Harbaugh said. "I am a Midwesterner. I was raised in Ohio and went to Michigan and was raised in Michigan as well. There has been a lot of talk about our conference. I think it is fabulous that a team from our conference is in the game."

Later he said, "I would rather it be us."

Harbaugh made his comments on the NFL Network radio with host Rich Eisen, who was a freshman at Michigan when Harbaugh was a quarterback.

Much of the interview was a buddy-buddy session. However, Harbaugh did bring up some issues.

He said the team first met Wednesday and that it was an honor to be with the team. He also said the team went through conditioning drills on Thursday will be in the weight room Friday.

Harbaugh remained mum on what fans can expect from the team in the 2015 season.

"As far as expectations we've got to work at it," he said. "I am committed to doing the best job we possibly can. Expectations will be high. This is the University of Michigan. Expectations were high for our team meeting. Expectations are high today for our team running and conditioning and they are high for the weight room tomorrow."

Harbaugh confirmed the hiring of defensive coordinator D. J. Durkin, who left the same position at Florida to take the job. He said he is assembling a top- notch staff.

"It is coming together great," he said. "I am really, really excited about our coaching staff. I think you will be impressed."

Harbaugh addressed other issues.

On his first team meeting:

"What a great honor it is to be in front of a Michigan team and to build relationships."

On the pros and cons of leaving the NFL for Michigan:

"It was not a pros and con list," he said. "It was a dream to be able to live that."