Jim Harbaugh needs to get an apology. All the “doubters” early in his career should be full on the amount of crow that they have eaten over the past 2 years.
The question I always asked Michigan fans who wanted Jim gone was, “Who are you replacing him with?” I would ask it every single time I heard someone cry about Harbaugh not “being the guy”.
Ironically the Harbaugh haters could never give me an answer. You know why? Because there was no one better. Period.
Michigan lost its luster
When Jim Harbaugh took over the job at University of Michigan the entire program was suspect. The culture was dead. The “Michigan Man” was a thing of the past. Michigan State had become the predominate program in the state.
It took Jim a few years to gut what was left over. But changing culture takes time. Reestablishing an old culture is almost impossible. Especially one with as high of expectations as Michigan. Let me correct that, almost delusional expectations of Michigan fans.
Michigan fans feel entitled. Its in their DNA. That’s Ok. You should have high expectations for your program.
But somewhere along the line you also must be self aware. Michigan had one double digit win total from 2007-2015.
Then comes Jim Harbaugh. He didn’t get them to an undefeated record immediately. He lost some big games to OSU, Penn State and MSU. Those things are all true. But, he also restored some type of respectability to the program. U of M was no longer going to get rolled by Appalachian State.
It still baffles me how people were calling for his job. Look at how simple it is just to look at the records and understand that 2015 was a turning point for the program.
From one double digit winning season, to 3 in his first 4 years!
But still that wasn’t enough.
Jim Harbaugh a man of character
To his credit Jim Harbaugh understood he wasn’t delivering to the lofty Wolverines expectorations. He was doing his best to get the program back on track. There was just something missing. So what does Jim as a man do? He restructures his contract and takes a pay cut.
He did the honorable thing. Now U of M should return the favor and pay his as one of the, if not THE, best coach in America. He has not only restored what Michigan fans thought they were. He has elevated the program to heights they have never experienced record wise. 13-0 in 2022 is the first time ever Michigan has reached that mark.
Now comes time for the Harbaugh doubters to admit they were dead wrong. They almost ran out of town one of the best coaches (pro or college) that has ever put on khakis.
If you were one of the ones questioning the greatness of Harbaugh. Questioning his antics, questioning if he can win the big game, now is the time to publicly apologize. Make sure you apologize just as loud as you criticized. Because Jim Harbaugh is 2 games away from the first out-right National Championship for Michigan.
And in the words of Teddy KGB “Pay that man his money”!
Photo: © Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
