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SMQ: Are alma maters really the best destinations for head coaches?

By Zach Bigalke

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 01: Michigan Wolverines head football coach leads his team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Wisconsin 14-7. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 01: Michigan Wolverines head football coach leads his team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Wisconsin 14-7. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines

  • YEARS AT MICHIGAN AS PLAYER: 1982-1986
  • YEARS AT MICHIGAN AS COACH: 2015-present

Recruited by legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, Jim Harbaugh spent five years in Ann Arbor while in college. He redshirted in 1982, and started two and a half seasons for the Wolverines. By his senior year, Harbaugh was building his legend as he led Michigan to the 1987 Rose Bowl where they lost to Arizona State. He was also the losing quarterback in the Holiday Bowl against BYU in 1984, when the Cougars came back to stay undefeated and win the national title.

He then went on to the NFL ranks, where he enjoyed a long career as a quarterback, before building his chops as a coach. Harbaugh’s reputation was cemented at Stanford, but the Michigan man decided to try his hand at leading a pro team. He took the San Francisco 49ers to three NFC championship games and Super Bowl XLVII, where he lost to his brother John’s Baltimore Ravens squad.

After a power play in San Francisco, Harbaugh made his way back to Ann Arbor. Since returning to Michigan in 2015, Harbaugh has posted 10-win seasons with metronomic regularity. But the ultimate prize for the Wolverines is always going to be Big Ten titles and chances to win a national championship. Just like Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez before him, all the pedigree as a Michigan man won’t save Harbaugh long-term if he continues to struggle against conference opposition.

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