It's hard to believe now, but there was a time when they were ready to run Jim Harabugh out of Ann Arbor. Six seasons in, Harbaugh's tenure was defined by his inability to get over the hump, highlighted by his 0-5 record against Ohio State. In fact, plenty of people believed that if the Michigan-Ohio State game hadn't been canceled due to covid -- Michigan finished 2-4, Ohio State played for the national championship -- he would've been let go after the Maize and Blue's inevitable loss.
The game didn't happen, Michigan kept Harbaugh but cut his pay, and the Wolverines never lost to Ohio State again under his tenure.
He officially left Michigan on Wednesday after one of the most eventful and most fulfilling 9-season runs in college football history. Eighty-six wins, three Big Ten championships, a Rose Bowl win and a national title, Jim Harbaugh returned Michigan to glory -- albeit, a glory covered by a hail of controversy and two ongoing NCAA investigations -- and now exits stage left to chase a Lombardi Trophy.
"Jim did exactly what he sought to do at Michigan: build our program to consistently win Big Ten Championships and compete for national championships, culminating with a record three-straight outright conference titles and the national championship this year," AD Warde Manuel said. "He did the same off the field by graduating his players and providing life experiences through mentorships, internships and team trips around the globe."
"For the fans, the players, and for me personally, we are sad to hear of Jim's departure. His drive and ambition turned our program around, delivered our first national championship in a quarter century and maintained Michigan as the all-time winningest team in the history of college football," said U-M President Santa Ono.
Thank you Coach Harbaugh and forever Go Blue! pic.twitter.com/j4pPRJFK7B
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 25, 2024
Combined with his 29-6 record with two conference championship at San Diego and his incredible turnaround at Stanford, capped by a 12-1 record, an Orange Bowl victory and a No. 4 final ranking, Harbaugh exits college football with a 144-52 record and a certain place in the College Football Hall of Fame.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.