College football analyst on Jim Harbaugh: “He’s done it his way”

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh has had a great career with the Maize and Blue thus far. He is heading into his 9th season as the Wolverines’ head coach and is determined to secure the program’s first-ever national title game victory. According to college football analyst JD Pickell of the ON3 Network, Harbaugh’s methods have been unorthodox, but they have clearly been effective thus far.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has rebuilt Michigan football “his own way”

Since taking over the Wolverines in late 2014, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has an impressive track record. In the seven seasons before Harbaugh’s tenure, Michigan football had two head coaches who combined for a 46-42 overall record, with only one 10-win season. However, in Harbaugh’s 8 seasons as coach, his teams have achieved a 74-25 overall record, including five 10-win seasons, two Big Ten titles, two playoff appearances, and more.

Jim Harbaugh has faced criticism over the years for his coaching and recruiting methods. Nevertheless, despite being considered unorthodox, his program is thriving both on and off the football field.

“You look at what he’s done, he’s done it his way,” said JD Pickell on his podcast, ‘The Hard Count.’ There’s been a lot made about ‘Well you can’t play the style of football that Jim Harbaugh wants to play. You gotta be a little more spread out. You gotta be able to be a little bit more dynamic.’ Jim Harbaugh has done it his way.

“He’s been on his philosophy and he has won. And I think for this coming season, I don’t know if Michigan is in the position they’re in if you don’t have Jim Harbaugh as your head coach. If he hasn’t built to what he’s built to at Michigan.”

National title-caliber expectations for the Wolverines in 2023

After an impressive two-season stretch in recent years, Michigan football is on track to potentially reach the national title game for the first time in its history. Jim Harbaugh leads his strongest team (on paper) into the upcoming season, and the Wolverines seem well-positioned to solidify their place among the elite in the storied history of Wolverine football.

“Look at what Jim Harbaugh’s done just the last two seasons,” Pickell continued. “Just look at this — two Big Ten titles, two College Football Playoff appearances. Four different coordinators, give or take. Two different quarterbacks. Lost a lot to the NFL draft from 2021 to 2022. The common denominator in Michigan’s success is Jim Harbaugh.”

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!