The Michigan Wolverines are reportedly set to introduce Jim Harbaugh as head coach of the football program after his mutual split with the San Francisco 49ers and this comes after NFL teams were interested in the coach, including the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears and NY Jets.
Harbaugh was highly sought after by Michigan and they reportedly offered him a massive six year contract worth nearly $50 million. According to ESPN.com, Michigan is set to introduce Harbaugh on Tuesday and it comes after tons of speculation about whether he would go back to college after his time in the NFL with San Francisco. Harbaugh made the playoffs in three out of four seasons with the Niners, winning 44 games in the process.
Harbaugh came in and turned around the franchise like he did when he was with Stanford and now Michigan is hoping for the same. Adam Schefter reported that the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears and NY Jets all checked in on Harbaugh, but the Michigan deal was basically done. Harbaugh had great success with three straight NFC championship game appearances and one Super Bowl in San Francisco, but "philosophical" differences led to the split.
Harbaugh is set to take over for Brady Hoke and it comes after he previously was the starting quarterback for Michigan. Harbaugh was successful at Stanford after taking over a 1-12 team and now he comes in to turn around the Wolverines. Michigan was once one of the top teams in the country on an annual basis, but they have fallen on hard times in recent years. Michigan athletic director Jim Hackett is set to introduce Harbaugh at a press conference and he may also appear at a basketball game on Tuesday.
Harbaugh took the 49ers to three straight NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl in four years, but the team went 8-8 this season. Harbaugh missed the playoffs for the first time as head coach with the 49ers this season and that was one of the reasons that the two sides parted. ESPN.com reported earlier in the season about issues between Harbaugh and the front office, including general manager Trent Baalke, and that spurred constant speculation about Harbaugh's future.
One reason Harbaugh is considered to be such a sought after target is the quick turnaround he can pull with teams. Harbaugh took over Stanford and has a .459 winning percentage compared to the .294 in the previous three years at the school. The team went 1-11 before Harbaugh arrived and he left the team with a 12-1 record and he also totally turned around the Niners, who were mired in mediocrity for a decade before he arrived. Michigan is looking to make a hire by the end of this week and that could get Harbaugh to Ann Arbor.
