University of Michigan Wolverines football head coach Jim Harbaugh has proven throughout his career that he follows the mantra “go big or go home”. His time as head coach at Michigan is certainly no different, and this upcoming season, he's upped the ante again.
Harbaugh plans on having former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, as well as R&B artist Usher as honorary captains at Michigan home games this year.
“We're making those asks. Official asks,” Harbaugh explained to reporters this past Saturday. “In the process of making an official ask. There's been, ‘Hey, we'd like you to do it,' and now we're doing official asks.”
Harbaugh and his son Jay (who serves as UM running backs coach) visited the former President during a trip to Washington D.C. earlier this year. Harbaugh also visited former Kansas Senator and 1996 Presidential candidate Bob Dole on his trip.
“It was incredible. Spent 39 wonderful minutes with President Obama (last week), saw Mrs. Obama as well,” he said. “He was great. He's relaxed, working on a lot of things. A book. He shared a lot of insights.”
In January, Harbaugh announced that Usher would be an honorary captain this fall during a Wolverines home game.
Proud to announce that world famous recording artist @Usher will be an honorary captain for @UMichFootball in 2017 pic.twitter.com/7dGaeRaqcV
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) January 6, 2017
Harbaugh served on Michelle Obama's education committee, and he and his wife Sarah were invited to one of the Obamas' final events in January before leaving the White House.
A former president and famous recording artist would hardly be the first time that high profile individuals have been honorary captains for Michigan. Harbaugh's past guests include former Wolverine Alum and five-time SuperBowl champion Tom Brady, NBA legend Michael Jordan, and former slugger Hank Aaron.
Michigan has six home games scheduled in 2017, starting with a Sept. 9 contest against Cincinnati and ending on Nov. 25 against Ohio State.
