It’s a tricky transition, unprecedented at Michigan or virtually anywhere else. As Sherrone Moore takes over for the wildly successful and unapologetically controversial Jim Harbaugh, his task is to change things, without changing too much.

The Wolverines don’t have as many star players but they do have several, especially on defense. They’re not favored to win the Big Ten after three consecutive titles but should be in the hunt. They don’t have Harbaugh to help defend their national championship, but they do have a guy who has seen it all, from the inside out, and touts the same football principles.

Moore isn’t new to the glare, just new to the full-time glare. How do you win like Harbaugh, but without the suspensions and suspicions? For starters, Moore, 38, must display a level of self-awareness that Harbaugh lacked.

The one thing Moore can’t change? Himself. In that regard, he’s off to a fine start.

Last week in his first news conference since Harbaugh’s four-year show-cause penalty, Moore calmly defused the latest mini-furor. He said Harbaugh no longer was coming to the Aug. 31 opener as an honorary captain, calling it Harbaugh’s decision as he prepared for his debut with the NFL’s Chargers. I’m guessing it was somewhat mutual with the school. Harbaugh just got slapped by the NCAA, and while he’s welcome at his alma mater, it wouldn’t have been ideal in the world of optics and open investigations.

Moore also briefly addressed the latest development, that he was accused by investigators of deleting a thread of 52 text messages with sign-stealing analyst Connor Stalions. Moore said he and Michigan were cooperating fully in the ongoing probe, and when pressed on whether he regretted his actions, he said, “I’ll just say this, I look forward to them being released. And that’s it.”

‘Phenomenal’ camp

Reportedly, there’s no indication the messages will reveal anything damning, and in fact, Moore later turned them in himself. He might not have Harbaugh’s manic, combative edge, but he’s also not likely to pick as many fights, whether with opposing coaches, referees or NCAA gumshoes.

Moore sounded comfortable during his news conference with his task and his message, smoothly laying out his team’s outlook. He called the competition in camp “phenomenal,” and expressed confidence in all three quarterbacks vying for the job. And what about that powerful offensive line, which lost five starters?

“I know as long as I’m here, we’re gonna be good up front,” Moore said with a smile. “We’re gonna be violent, we’re gonna be physical, gonna be tough, relentless, all the things you want.”

That’s Harbaugh’s mantra and also the essence of Moore, who rose from offensive line coach to offensive coordinator to interim head coach to the top job. Toughness in the trenches, the non-negotiable that won’t change.

One thing that should change is a stricter adherence to details and guidelines, for everyone in the program. Harbaugh was daring and unpredictable, which is beneficial on the field, difficult to monitor off the field.

Moore appears to possess the necessary qualities to calm the turbulence. He’s personable, enthusiastic and respected by the players, and his message isn’t changing. Lots of positive talk, lots of internal competition. The Wolverines lost a ton to graduation and the NFL (13 draftees), but Moore noted several likely first-round picks remain, from Mason Graham to Will Johnson to Kenneth Grant, with young talent rising.

“We’re in a really, really good place, getting callouses as we like to say around here,” Moore said. “We’re having a physical, physical camp, but also having fun. Competition is at an all-time high.”

Asked if he’s made notable adjustments to how they practice or what they emphasize, Moore chuckled.

“The discipline, that’s not going to change,” he said. “The only thing that’s really changed is, we play music in practice. Sometimes I like to tap my toes, shake my head. I like to hear songs. But besides that, nothing’s going to change.”

Late QB call?

There are experienced returnees besides the touted defensive stars. Moore praised senior rush end T.J. Guy and junior Derrick Moore. Fullback Max Bredeson and tight end Colston Loveland are talented leaders, as is senior running back Donovan Edwards.

Whether the Wolverines take a modest, or sizeable, step back from 15-0 might depend on the quarterback. Dual-threat junior Alex Orji is the perceived leader, with Davis Warren and Jack Tuttle pushing. Moore said the decision could come down to the final week, or the final day.

The Wolverines may have lost their renowned coach and the bulk of their star players, but it’s up to Moore to make sure they keep their feisty edge. And if you wonder whether they’ll get soft and satisfied under a younger, fun-loving coach, Moore doesn’t mind biting back. Just as he did as acting head coach against Penn State last year, when he guided Michigan to a 24-15 victory, punishing the Nittany Lions with 32 consecutive runs to end it.

As Harbaugh did, Moore believes in pounding messages and spouting confidence. Asked if something in the team culture needs to change to avoid headlines of NCAA scandals, he sounded practically Harbaugh-like.

“When you’re at the bottom, they don’t respect you,” he said. “When you’re in the middle, they ignore you. When you’re at the top, they hate you. ... We can’t really control what people want to say about us, so we’re just going to keep rolling.”

Rolling won’t be easy, not in the bigger Big Ten with a tougher schedule, which includes Texas in Week 2. Michigan is unlikely to intimidate as it has the last three years, going 40-3. That level of dominance naturally will change, but not everything will change. Moore doesn’t have the same players, but he has the same plan.