Despite flirting with a potential return to the National Football League, Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh isn’t going anywhere. And to that end, he and the University have agreed on a brand new five year contract extension that will keep him in Ann Arbor through 2026.
During an appearance on the “In The Trenches” podcast today, Harbaugh explained that he won’t be apologizing for exploring his options.
“I don’t apologize for exploring [the NFL], and I don’t apologize for wanting to come back and be the head football coach at the University of Michigan,” he said.
“Football’s ultimate prize is the Super Bowl — that’s great — but let’s go win college football’s ultimate prize, which is the national championship. That’s what we want to do.”
Harbaugh led the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII, where he lost to his brother John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens. It’s certainly understandable that Harbaugh had the motivation to want to get back and get the job done.
Since his return to Michigan in 2015, Harbaugh has amassed a 61-24 overall record. 2021 was a particularly fruitful year for Harbaugh and the Wolverines, as they not only defeated their rival Ohio State Buckeyes, but also won 12 games for just the 3rd time in school history. They also took home their first conference title since 2004.
“Having a blast,” he said. “As you can imagine, a ton of momentum coming off the season that we had. The players have really been getting after it.”
Harbaugh then talked about quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Cade McNamara, both of whom saw action under center for the Wolverines last season.
“Like you do at any position, we’re going to tell the best players,” he said. “Then the question goes, ‘How do you know who the best players are?’ Well, they’re going to play the best. It’s really simple.”
“One will clearly the starter. It could be the way we did it last year, where they’re splitting time, or it could be one more than the other or one the full way.”
– – Quotes via Clayton Sayfie Link – –
