As Both Master Entertainer and Coach, Jim Harbaugh Is Focused on Title in Year 2

CHICAGO — Somewhere along the way, wedged between cameos in music videos, a tireless siege to turn the globe into his own personal satellite camp, his cryptic vault of tweets and his natural ability to turn any subject into content, Jim Harbaugh became two distinctive beings.

There is Jim Harbaugh the Entertainer—the goofy program CEO who sells tickets and writes headlines with ease. The one who recently tucked in his Allen Iverson jersey during one of his camps, much like your father would.

It’s the man who, at his second Big Ten media-day appearance in Chicago on Monday, complemented his grey suit with a blue Michigan hat because he “hadn’t had a haircut in five weeks.”

This person, while entertaining to some and overkill to others, manages to take away from the brilliance of his other, more demonstrative side: Jim Harbaugh the Football Coach.

In the midst of that dichotomy, Michigan has found what it has been seeking—strange as it seems—for more than a decade: national relevancy, comfort and an opportunity to get back to winning in a place that has craved more for far too long.

That, more than anything, was apparent during Harbaugh’s media-day appearance. There was the occasional quirk—like when he asked the room if he had invented the word “meritocracy” after using it in a sentence—but there was also a healthy serving of authentic football optimism.

“We have very high expectations,” Harbaugh said. “We’re trying to improve every single day. Improvement will lead to success and championships. That theory is so simple it might just work.”

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Oh, and talent, too. There was an abudance of that on display in Chicago and plenty more back at home, 240 miles away with fall camp on the horizon. 

Harbaugh did not make his showing alone. He brought with him symbols of the now and the future: three of the conference’s premier playmakers all on the verge of special seasons. Three of the reasons why people are suddenly expecting that special year.

Cornerback Jourdan Lewis, tight end Jake Butt and wide receiver Amara Darboh did not shy away from the expectations that have been accelerated. They, too, sense something is at work here.

“That’s why most of us came here,” Butt said. “Going into my senior year, I’ve been with most of these guys three or four years. This is the reason we came together. We had dreams of winning Big Ten championships and national championships. If we put in the work this year, we work hard and prepare the way I know we’re capable of, we can have a real special season." 

All of the pieces are in place. The roster is stockpiled with talent—a combination of experience and youth that could jell together brilliantly by season’s end.

One of the nation’s most talented defensive lines will welcome defensive tackle Rashan Gary—the nation’s No. 1 recruit this past cycle, according to 247Sports. 

Gary, like many of the other gifted freshmen in this class, will push for playing time and attempt to unseat some of the more seasoned competition in place.

“That's one of my favorite things, my personal favorite things about our program, is that you'll be known by your effort and your talent,” Harbaugh said. “By your effort and your talent, you will be known. So the best players will be the starters, and then the backup roles will be earned.” 

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Given the state of the roster—the depth at defensive line, the talented skill position players on offense, the reasonable options at quarterback and the versatility of defensive back Jabrill Peppers, who will likely wear many hats on defense—Michigan is thinking big.

It should think big. Last season, as the players and coaches adapted to one another, both saw a glimpse into the crystal ball. This transition ultimately led to 10 victories—culminating in a blowout win over Florida in the Citrus Bowl.

There were unanticipated highs beyond the bowl game, like the three consecutive shutouts against BYU, Maryland and Northwestern. 

There were also shocks to the system, given how much Michigan was thought to be progressing, like the defeat to Michigan State on a walk-off blocked punt that still doesn’t quite seem real. There was also a 42-13 shellacking against Ohio State in Ann Arbor.

Through it all, there was building. Last season was never about competing for a national championship or even a conference title, despite the fact Michigan probably pushed these dream scenarios further than most could have imagined.

It was about setting the foundation for future pushes. It was meshing the talent in place with a new philosophy. 

“I knew there was a method to his madness after we saw those 10 wins,” Jordan Lewis said of Harbaugh. “We knew we could be something special. Once we knew that, we bought in. He’s bringing back something magical in Ann Arbor." 

The schedule is by no means a cakewalk. Michigan plays road games at Michigan State, Iowa and Ohio State, along with home games against Penn State and Wisconsin. But the exodus of talent around the conference, especially with the Spartans and the Buckeyes, can’t simply be ignored.

Neither is expected to plummet in terms of performance. But timing, coupled with everything else working in Michigan’s favor at the moment, is a big piece of why such grandiose expectations may not be so implausible. 

And this is the part, beyond anything Harbaugh said to those hanging onto his every word, that seemed to resonate most on Monday. This is no longer about waiting for next season or forecasting that arrival. 

Instead of that slow, methodical rebuilding most preach in the sport, instead of firing off a hefty dosage of coach speak, Harbaugh has embraced the lofty expectations being bestowed upon him.

“We want our dreams to be big. We want our goals to be lofty. We want to dream those dreams, so much that people will laugh at us,” Harbaugh said. “If they’re not laughing, then we haven’t set high enough goals. We understand that they can be achieved, but they have to be worked for. And once the work is realized, then the dreams and goals can be achieved.”

Having talked more actual football than most anticipated, Harbaugh exited the podium and walked out the Hyatt conference room. Outside the door, anticipating his exit, stood a Michigan fan showing off a fresh “Go Blue” tattoo that was only four days old. 

Credit: Adam Kramer

The man, having hoped to complete his tattoo with Harbaugh’s signature, offered a Sharpie to the head coach, unsure how he might react.

Harbaugh, dipping back into the person most have grown to know over the past 18 months, weaving his personalities together in a single sequence, grabbed the pen, threw on a smile and went to work.