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Michigan football: keeping Jim Harbaugh needs to be top priority

As U-M and Jim Harbaugh continue to work through their issues, Michigan’s top priority needs to be retaining Jim Harbaugh in 2023.

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Junfu Han/Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY NETWORK | Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh fist bumps offensive lineman Andrew Stueber during the first half against Ohio State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. o-line offensive line

Immediately after the 2022 Michigan football season came to an end, Jim Harbaugh was reportedly interested in leaving Michigan. After last year’s back-and-forth with the NFL, everyone knew that these rumors needed to be taken seriously. Still, no one was sure how legitimate the situation actually was; after all, the “Harbaugh to the NFL” rumors are nothing new for Wolverines fans.

Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan football?

As more has come out about the situation, it has become clear that Harbaugh is serious about leaving for a few reasons. The biggest two reasons, as of right now, seem to be his contract and issues with Michigan AD Warde Manuel. Last night, University of Michigan president Santa Ono released a statement on the matter, stating that he and the AD wanted to see Jim Harbaugh stay in Ann Arbor long-term.

On Monday, Jim Harbaugh reportedly interviewed with the Denver Broncos for two hours, and the week before, Harbaugh had a phone call with the owner of the Carolina Panthers. It is clear that these rumors need to be taken seriously, and that Harbaugh likely has options if/when he becomes unhappy with Michigan football.

Hours After Ono tweeted his thoughts on the situation, Jim Harbaugh released a statement in agreement with Santa Ono’s message. Right now, above all else, one thing needs to be top priority: keeping Jim Harbaugh in Ann Arbor.

What can U-M do to keep Harbaugh happy?

The first thing Michigan football MUST do to keep Jim Harbaugh is offer him the contract he deserves. Over the past two years, Jim Harbaugh has won 25 of his 28 games, two Big Ten Championships, gone to the Playoff twice, and is 2-0 against Ohio State. Jim Harbaugh has checked all of the boxes needed this decade and deserves to be paid what he is worth.

In the Big Ten East alone, there are three coaches that earn far more money than Jim Harbaugh: Ryan Day (Ohio State), James Franklin (Penn State), and Mel Tucker (Michigan State). Last year alone, Jim Harbaugh holds blowout wins over all three coaches (45-23 vs. Ohio State, 41-17 vs. Penn State, 29-7 vs. Michigan State).

The second issue U-M needs to work on is fixing the issues between Harbaugh and Warde Manuel. Jim Harbaugh is reportedly hesitant to sign a new contract with Michigan due to Warde Manuel’s “antics,” and if the decision the Wolverines have to make is between Manuel and Harbaugh, it better be Jim Harbaugh. Manuel has done a subpar job since arriving in Ann Arbor, and keeping him over a coach that has won the conference two-straight years would be insane.

Michigan football hinges on Jim Harbaugh right now

Whatever Jim Harbaugh says he needs, Michigan must give him. As the 2023 season lingers just eight months away, Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football have work to do if the Wolverines expect to beat Ohio State and win the Big Ten again. It is very possible, perhaps even likely, that U-M makes another trip to the CFP and Big Ten Title game next year, but that all starts and stops with who is head coach.

If Jim Harbaugh walks, say goodbye to all of the progress that has been made since the Rich Rod/Brady Hoke years. With the addition of the transfer portal (and NIL), there is a good chance that all of Michigan’s stars will head out the door with Harbaugh in search of a new home regardless of who replaces him. Additionally, hiring a coach inside of the program might be tough seeing as Harbaugh will likely take most of his staff with him if he leaves.

Regardless of what it takes, Michigan football must keep Jim Harbaugh happy in Ann Arbor. As Harbaugh has said before, he is willing to finish his career and retire at Michigan, so right now, this decision comes down to whether or not U-M can meet his needs.

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.

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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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