The University of Michigan’s 2014 season record was
disastrous 5-7. Coach Brady Hoke was fired by athletic director Dave Brandon,
who then resigned. According to former Michigan head coach Gary Moeller, the
players practiced hard in preparation for their games. Yet, things didn’t go
well on game day Saturday as they lost more games than they had won. Interim
athletic director, Jim Hackett began searching for a new football coach. With
much speculation former Michigan player Jim Harbaugh was hired at the end of
the year, making him the 20th head coach in Michigan’s illustrious
history.
Previously, coach Harbaugh arrived in Ann Arbor, Michigan
with his parents and siblings in 1973. Jim’s father Jack was hired as a
secondary coach by Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, and young Jim at 10 years of
age had the opportunity of being surrounded by the legendary coach Bo
Schembechler, his staff and his dominating football team.
Coach Harbaugh enrolled at the University of Michigan,
played quarterback, was cocaptain along with Andy Moeller, earned All-American
honors and was third in the Heisman voting in his senior year in 1986. Harbaugh
went on to play some 14 years in the NFL [Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts,
Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Carolina Panthers] and then retired.
After retiring as a player, Jim Harbaugh was a quarterback coach for the
Oakland Raiders in 2002 and in 2003.
Jim Harbaugh became head coach at the University of San
Diego and Stanford at the college level. In both places, he turned their programs
around, leaving them very sound. He left Stanford to become head coach of the
San Francisco 49ers. There he had winning seasons and took his NFL team to the
Super Bowl, in which he lost the close game to his brother John’s Baltimore
Ravens. After leaving the Niners at the end of the 2014 season, he was in hot
demand by the Oakland Raiders, as well as other NFL teams; however, he returned
to his alma mater among much fanfare by the press, former players, alumni, and
national kudu’s from the nations sports writers and others.
Coach Harbaugh quickly assembled a coaching staff that
included: DJ Durkin; Tim Drevno; Kevin Tolbert; Greg Mattison; Greg Jackson;
John Baxter; Jed Fisch; Tyrone Wheatley; Jay Harbaugh and Michael Zordich. Some
of these individuals are new hires; Greg Mattison was retained; and a number
have been with coach Harbaugh previously. This outstanding coaching staff has
previous college and NFL playing as well as coaching experience. Coach Harbaugh
knew what he was doing as he assembled a high-level of football IQ along with
the ability to relate to his current players and potential players to come to
his program.
Prior to the 2015 season, many pundits were predicting that
Michigan would do well and likely take coach Harbaugh time to turn this program
around to its former glory. Remember, it’s the winningest football team in
college history. During 2014, the offensive of team played inconsistently, but
was kept in some of the losing games because of its defense. The defense was
expected to be coach Harbaugh’s strong point and the quarterback position was
questionable, to say the least.
At present, Michigan has four victories against one defeat.
His defensive team has been dominant. His offensive team led by quarterback
Jake Rudock has been solid, although Jake has more turnovers than expected.
However, the line play, running backs De’Von Smith, Ty Isaac, Drake Johnson and
receivers Amara Darboh,Jehu Chesson, and tight end Jake Butt have at times been
exceptional. Wolverines are currently ranked 18 and expect to be tested by
undefeated Northwestern this coming Saturday. Although the season has not
ended, it is obvious at this point that Harbaugh’s Wolverines have exceeded
expectations so far. It is safe to say, there are many reasons for this
turnaround
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