Michigan Football: Realistic Expectations for Jim Harbaugh in 2015

Winning the Big Ten and reaching the College Football Playoff has to top Jim Harbaugh’s list of team-specific priorities. However, the Michigan coach doesn’t have to incite overnight change in 2015 in order to have a successful first season in Ann Arbor.

Harbaugh, who previously coached the San Francisco 49ers, faces the task of rebuilding his unstable alma mater—and that task will take a couple of years, maybe longer, to accomplish. The Wolverines’ circumstances probably won’t immediately change this fall, but Harbaugh is capable of coaching them to seven or eight wins in their current condition. 

After plummeting to 5-7 under former coach Brady Hoke in 2014, it’s safe to assume that a record of 8-4 or 7-5 would suit Harbaugh just fine. It'd probably satisfy a hungry fanbase, too. 

For now.

Expectations are justifiably high, but it’s important for Michigan—and its fans—to keep things in perspective. Harbaugh is one of the best coaches in the game, but he needed three years to dust off Stanford, which went 4-8, 5-7 and 8-5 before topping out at 12-1 in 2010.

Time tells all. With that said, this fall will likely serve a rough sketch for Harbaugh. 

Start the Winning Ways

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As mentioned, a record of 7-5 or 8-4 would be a vast improvement upon recent efforts. Hoke had the talent, but he had trouble making it work on the field. As of now, Harbaugh’s cupboards aren’t bare, but he’s essentially starting from scratch.

That’s never easy. Then again, Hoke went 11-2 in 2011, his first year, with former coach Rich Rodriguez’s guys—so go figure.

Today, it’s difficult to see better than 8-4, which is the absolute high end for Michigan in 2015. For starters, it doesn’t have a starting quarterback. On top of that, its O-line is in desperate need of care. The Wolverines are a decent team, on paper, but they lack strength at the core.

Now that’s not to say Harbaugh won’t find a bit of magic, lock in a starter and craft the line to his liking this spring and into summer. That’d be a recipe for an 8-4 team.

However, remember the three-year reference in regards to Stanford? It took time for Harbaugh to groom Andrew Luck and establish balance in the trenches, but once accomplished, Harbaugh had a national power. 

Stanford didn't have half the foundation Michigan sits upon. So that has to encourage optimism all around.

As for the Wolverines, they could see real, honest-to-goodness progress as early as midseason. Don't expect wins over Michigan State or Ohio State, but a respectable bowl is more than possible. 

Back in the Spotlight

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In 2006, the Wolverines were involved in one of the greatest college football games ever played. Then ranked No. 2, they ended their season with a 42-39 loss to No. 1-ranked Ohio State—but they haven’t been nationally relevant since.

With exception to former quarterback Denard Robinson, Michigan hasn’t had much to cheer about during the past decade or so. Harbaugh can and will change that—but again, it’ll take more than one season to flip fortunes.

Due to his NFL pedigree, Harbaugh has commanded the attention of the national media. His khaki’d, “football dude” persona has already thrust Michigan back into the limelight. Everyone is talking about a team that’s yet to start practice, but in a good way. There is nothing but optimism oozing from The Big House.

Of course, he helped matters by picking up eight recruits during the month prior to national signing day.

That’s always a good way to set the wheels in motion, especially after losing eight members of the 2015 class, a cascade started by 5-star wide receiver George Campbell in December 2013.

That said, there aren’t many coaches who could have pulled off such a move in just 30 days. Imagine him during a full recruiting period, which is the next point of discussion.

Come One, Come All

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Michigan’s already a favorite for Rashan Gary, a 5-star defensive tackle out of Paramus Catholic (New Jersey). The 6’4”, 285-pounder is the No. 2-ranked prospect of 2016 and comes in at No. 1 at his position, per 247Sports.

A show of serious intent, Harbaugh hired former Paramus Catholic coach Chris Partridge to head Michigan’s recruiting operations. Talk about a power play.

Plus he has defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin and D-line coach Greg Mattison, a pair of renowned recruiters, to lure the best to Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have two commits for 2016—linebacker Dele Harding and offensive tackle Erik Swenson—and they’ll undoubtedly stock the shelves with more elites this spring, summer and into fall.

Ten of Harbaugh’s top 14 targets are ranked among the top 10 at their respective positions.

National signing day 2016 could be a massive success for Harbaugh, who could easily land a top-20 class or better.

Harbaugh’s prowess will get the job done. Just don’t expect miracles during the first 12 months. He’ll recruit with the best in the land, that’s a given. He’ll field competitive teams, too.

But give him time. On Dec. 30, the date of his official introduction as coach, Harbaugh brought up his record of constructing palatial estates—a reference to molding teams—but not one was built overnight. 

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability. All recruiting information comes via 247Sports.com.