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Michigan fans dressed in maize, blue and khaki eagerly crowded into Ann Arbor’s Crisler Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 30. But this time, basketball wasn’t the main attraction. Sure, the men’s team won its first conference game in overtime, and freshman Aubrey Dawkins had 20 points and 5 rebounds, but Jim Harbaugh was the game’s true star.
U of M officially announced Harbaugh as the new head football coach earlier that day, and he gave a speech at halftime.
Many fans felt the stars had aligned: former coach Brady Hoke was fired, Harbaugh resigned as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and most notably, Harbaugh was a former Michigan quarterback. Alumni, donors and general fans alike wanted Harbaugh desperately.
Interim Athletic Director James Hackett made it his mission to land Harbaugh because he was wanted by NFL teams as well. In the end, Harbaugh agreed and will soon earn a salary between $7-8 million: more than nine times that of university president Mark Schlissel, who banks about $750,000 a year.
Harbaugh’s enormous paycheck has left many wondering: Is he worth it? He is.
As the 49ers head coach from 2011-2014, he led the team to three consecutive playoffs and even a Super Bowl appearance. Before his NFL career, Harbaugh coached football at Stanford and managed to take the team from only four wins in 2007 to only one loss in 2010. In short, Harbaugh produces the results every athletic department wants to see.
Coaches with reputations like Harbaugh also pay off in recruiting. Michigan’s football program has always been noted for its recruiting, producing pro players such as Tom Brady, Charles Woodson and Desmond Howard. That legacy will continue with Harbaugh.
Harbaugh is truly at home at Michigan. His father was part of Michigan legend Bo Schembechler’s coaching staff. Harbaugh attended Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor and started as quarterback under Schembechler.
Harbaugh won’t be performing any miracles in his first year. The Wolverines might not play in the next NCAA Championship or Rose Bowl, but a winning season is in Michigan’s near future.
Schembechler once told his players, “Those who stay will be champions.”
Harbaugh has stayed, and he will lead Michigan to be champions again.