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Jim Harbaugh interviewed with the Broncos for 2 hours on Monday

According to many credible reports, Jim Harbaugh went through with a two-hour-long NFL interview on Monday.

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Nov 5, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh slaps hands with Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Olusegun Oluwatimi (55) after a Wolverines touchdown during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

After last year’s song and dance with the NFL, Jim Harbaugh claimed that it was just a “one-time thing.” Now, after Michigan’s 13-1 Big Ten Championship season, the Wolverines’ head coach has been entertaining NFL offers, including a two-hour-long interview with the Denver Broncos on Monday.

Jim Harbaugh interviews with Denver

According the the NFL Network’s report, Jim Harbaugh interviewed with the Denver Broncos for two hours on Monday via Zoom. After last year’s fiassco with the NFL, most thought Harbaugh was in Ann Arbor for good. While that could be the case, it is still infuriating to see Harbaugh entertaining NFL offers, especially as the Wolverines’ program gains momentum heading into the 2023 season.

It feels as if all of this NFL talk is killing Michigan’s momentum heading into next year — both on the field and on the recruiting trail. Yesterday, Michigan’s star running back — Blake Corum — announced that he will be returning for the 2023 season. This fall, the Wolverines will have a shot at a third-straight Big Ten Championship and perhaps a National Championship as well.

Harbaugh entertaining NFL offers after promising otherwise

After the Wolverines’ 12-2, Big Ten Championship campaign in 2021, Jim Harbaugh attempted to leave U-M for the NFL. On National Signing Day — as Harbaugh’s newest classes inked their commitment to him — Michigan’s head coach was in Minnesota interviewing for the Vikings’ head coaching opening. Minnesota went on to turn Harbaugh down; in fact, one Vikings staff member described Harbaugh’s behavior in the interview as “odd.”

After Harbaugh was given a solid “No” from the NFL, he decided to return to Ann Arbor — fans were skeptical, but Harbaugh had a get out of jail free card: a Big Ten Championship. Jim Harbaugh proceeded to promise that he was committed to Michigan and swore that the NFL adventure would be a one-time event.

In December — following Michigan’s 43-22 win over Purdue in the Big Ten Championship game — Jim Harbaugh again promised that he would be back in 2023. “I will enthusiastically be back as the coach of the Wolverines in 2023.” – Jim Harbaugh.

Over the last week or so, Harbaugh has doubled down on these statements multiple times, yet, here we are. Reports continue to come out that Jim Harbaugh will leave Michigan if the NFL offers him a position, Harbaugh is talking with NFL owners, and now, Jim Harbaugh has interviewed with the Denver Broncos.

This is bad for Michigan football

As we saw a year ago, Jim Harbaugh’s obsession with the NFL is killing Michigan’s offseason momentum. Not only did last year’s stunt hurt the Wolverines’ recruiting momentum, but it instilled a distrust in Jim Harbaugh among Michigan fans. If Harbaugh wants to coach at U-M in 2023, he better have a damn good excuse as to why he is flirting with the NFL so much.

If Harbaugh plans on leaving, then he should have never said that he will be back in 2023. Sure, it’s the business, but to convince players, recruits, and fans that he would be back next season and then leave would be a cheap shot at U-M football. If it turns out that all of this is over a contract extension, then  I blame Warde Manuel; however, no one is quite sure what to expect right now.

As the NFL season winds down, we expect to have a final answer on Jim Harbaugh’s status in the next few weeks. Right now, Harbaugh is set to return to Ann Arbor in 2023, but we are not so sure that he would like to.

FOOTBALL

New Michigan transfer has endless praise for JJ McCarthy on and off the field

A fellow Michigan quarterback had endless praise for starter JJ McCarthy

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Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — Most people would look at a player like Michigan’s rising junior quarterback and jump to conclusions. Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy was a five-star high school recruit, and is currently the starting quarterback at one of the biggest and most influential universities in the world. On top of that, he just led his Wolverines to a 13-1 season — the winningest in program history — including wins over Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State, not to mention the Big Ten title and CFP appearance.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Michigan football quarterback Jack Tuttle — who just transferred into Ann Arbor from Indiana — gave insight on who JJ McCarthy truly is on and off the field.

JJ McCarthy is more than a football player, says new Michigan football quarterback transfer

No one would blame JJ McCarthy for being cocky if he were to be — he backs it up on the field and appears to have everything in the world going for him. Still, McCarthy finds time to just be himself; regardless of his circumstance, McCarthy remains true to the person that he wants to be.

“Most people would kind of look at a guy like J.J., quarterback, big-time guy, they might think he’s arrogant or something. That dude is the most down-to-earth person,” Tuttle told the media. “I can’t say this enough — a great human being, great football player. I love being around him.”

On top of being a good man, JJ McCarthy is one hell of a quarterback, Michigan football quarterback Jack Tuttle says.

“Obviously Michigan gets under center, multiple, there’s a lot of stuff on offense — footwork wise, I’m looking at that like ‘wow’. I haven’t really been under center since high school. Looking at his footwork and how he’s progressed over the past couple of years and just taking little things that he does and maybe implementing it.”

While JJ McCarthy headlines the Michigan football quarterback room, Tuttle claims that the Wolverines are loaded at QB heading into the 2023 season.

“That whole quarterback room, I’m just stoked to be in there. Such good dudes. Really love the guy so far,” Tuttle said of McCarthy. “It’s been phenomenal. I can’t wait to see where we go.”



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Michigan football to host NIL Pep Rally ahead of Spring Game

Thursday afternoon, more exciting news came out regarding Michigan’s annual Spring Game

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Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh talks with reporters before the Fiesta Bowl against TCU on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Michfiesta2 122822 Kd 2277

For Michigan football fans, the anticipation is rising as the annual Spring Game draws closer with every waking minute. On Thursday afternoon, the University of Michigan announced they would host a NIL Pep Rally before the Spring Game on April 1.

It’s no secret that coach Jim Harbaugh loves to put on a show for the fans, so this news should come as no surprise. Here is everything we know so far.

What can be expected?

Attending the event is a star-studded list, as coach Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football team plan to make appearances. Aside from the football team, 180 athletes across ten University of Michigan athletic teams will attend. Along with meeting some of these student-athletes, many will be available for autograph signings at the event.

Along with the opportunity to meet some of your favorite student-athletes, fans can participate in various activities. There will be face painting, tailgate games and a photo booth. Finally, former star Wolverines Jon Jansen and Jake Butt will be making an appearance for a special Chalk Talk.

Pep Rally Details

The event, presented by the leading NIL collective Valiant Management Group, will occur on April 1, 2023, in Crisler Center. The event is set to occur between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in preparation for the spring game, which will take place in the Michigan Stadium.

Just last year, the team celebrated the opportunity to play in their first spring game since 2018. Now, it appears coach Harbaugh is ready to get back in action and get the fans even more involved. Tickets for the event are $30; kids 12 and under can get in free with a paying adult. To purchase your tickets, click here.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, 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 PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Major outlet ranks Jim Harbaugh as No. 1 coach in the Big Ten

A major outlet ranked Jim Harbaugh as the best coach in the Big Ten.

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Jim Harbaugh of Michigan football
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh throws prior to the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

ANN ARBOR, MI — Over the past two seasons, the entire identity of the Michigan Wolverines’ football program has changed. Before 2021, the Michigan football team was coming off of a 2-4 season in 2020; before that, the Wolverines were managing 8-10 wins per season, though consistantly losing to Ohio State, their bowl game, and saw frequent losses to Michigan State and Penn State. Since that 2021 season, everything has changed for Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines — in fact, Harbaugh is now thought of as the best coach in his conference.

Jim Harbaugh changes everything for Michigan football in 2021

After arguably the worst season in Michigan football history (2020), Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines decided to go all-in on the 2021 season. At his Big Ten media presser, Harbaugh claimed that Michigan would accomplish its goals (beating Ohio State, Michigan State, winning the Big Ten, and more) or “die trying.” The Wolverines did exactly that — Michigan football finished the regular season with an 11-1 record after downing Ohio State 42-27 in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines then won the Big Ten title for the first time since 2004; however, were dominated by Georgia in the CFP.

A season later, Michigan football appeared to improve as Jim Harbaugh led his team to a 12-0 finish — including massive 20+ point wins over Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State — before winning the program’s first-ever 13th game in a single season. While the Wolverines still fell short against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, the 2022 season was monumental for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football.

Heading into the 2023 season, Michigan appears to have its best roster during the Jim Harbaugh era (since 2015). In fact, right now, the Wolverines come into the season favored against every major program that it must face: Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State. If the Wolverines aren’t competing for a Big Ten title this year, most fans will call the season a disappointment.

On3 ranks Harbaugh No. 1 in the Big Ten

Of the 14 coaches in the Big Ten, On3 claims that none are better than Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. Here is what On3 had to say about Harbaugh and why he is ranked No. 1:

It took some time, but Jim Harbaugh fulfilled his promise of beating Ohio State and delivering his alma mater a Big Ten Championship. 

Then he did it again last season. The Wolverines are 25-3 the last two years, with a pair of conference titles and College Football Playoff berths. While Harbaugh has downplayed some of the major cultural and philosophical changes he made before the 2021 season, he deserves credit for pivoting and overhauling his staff. 

In eight years at Michigan, Harbaugh has five seasons with at least 10 wins. Although the yearly NFL rumors remain a distraction, the Wolverines don’t look like they’re going to slowdown at all under Harbaugh, either. They bring back a loaded squad in 2023 — with Harbaugh supplementing the depth chart with several key additions from the transfer portal — and will be the favorites to three-peat in the Big Ten. 

While I weigh the present more than the past, Harbaugh’s coaching resume also includes jumpstarting Stanford’s program (12-1 season in his final year) and four years with the San Francisco 49ers where he never had a losing season, played in the NFC Championship Game three times and lost to his brother John Harbaugh in the Super Bowl.

The next three coaches behind Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football are: Ryan Day (Ohio State), Luke Fickell (Wisconsin), and James Franklin (Penn State).



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, 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 PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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