Jim Harbaugh Talks Halloween, Favorite Khakis And Jerry Kill
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
Halloween in Michigan this year will be full of khaki pants. Even before the last weekend of October rolls around, Wolverine fans have been dressing like head coach Jim Harbaugh for months now. This weekend, it'll just be in a more festive atmosphere.
"It's flattering," Harbaugh said of fans' proclivity to dress up like him for Halloween. "I like that. It's a pretty simple costume – hat, a sweatshirt and khakis. I like the pleated ones."
And while dozens of fake Harbaughs roam around the state this weekend, the real Harbaugh will be in Minnesota as his No. 15 Michigan team will take on the Golden Gophers.
Minnesota will be extra motivated this weekend, after head coach Jerry Kill announced his retirement, effective immediately, earlier this week. Kill has suffered from epilepsy for years, and took a health-related leave of absence in 2013. The Gophers' defensive coordinator, Tracy Claeys, will take over as interim head coach.
"Everybody has so much respect for Jerry Kill," Harbaugh said. "He's one of the people in he profession that epitomizes coaching, teaching, mentoring at the highest level. I once heard a quote that a coach can influence more people in a year than most people do in a lifetime, and I'm not speaking about everybody, but in terms of Jerry Kill, I know it for a fact."
Harbaugh and his family have been in the coaching profession for a while, and Kill's reputation is one that's respected without question.
"He's one of the premier coaches and persons in the profession," Harbaugh said. "The Harbaugh family has a deep abiding respect for Jerry Kill. … Jerry Kill is a battler – things that he's gone through and to be able to do what he loves, there's no one who gets more enjoyment out of doing what they do than Jerry Kill does. It's been a phenomenal career, and he's a great example, truly at the highest level, of what we aspire to be as coaches."
