Michigan fell to Utah in their first week of NCAA online betting action, as the Jim Harbaugh era in Ann Arbor got off with a stumble. Utah is a stout foe, though, worthy of their inclusion in the Pac-12. And Michigan needed some retooling, so there is still time for some improvement. For those of you who have joined the Khaki Slacks Nation, here are some other fun facts you may not know about the new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.
Here are Some Fun Facts About Jim Harbaugh Online Betting Fans Should Know
Jim Harbaugh actually played football at Michigan
From 1983-1986, Harbaugh had a terrific run for the Wolverines. He won the Big Ten Player of the Year award in 1986 and came in third in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. The Chicago Bears picked him 26th overall in the 1987 NFL Draft, but Harbaugh’s pro career was much more average than his time at Michigan.
Jim Harbaugh was actually a success in San Francisco
Yes, he was let go as part of a “mutual” decision. However, his record in his four seasons coaching the 49ers was 43-19-1, for a winning percentage of .694. That ranks him fifth overall in NFL history in winning percentage. The only people ahead of him are such icons as Guy Chamberlin, John Madden, Vince Lombardi, and George Allen. The fans in San Francisco are going to miss him. A lot.
Jim Harbaugh was great in the postseason too
In Harbaugh’s first three seasons coaching the 49ers, he led the team to three straight NFC Champions games. No head coach had ever done that before to open a pro career. Very few coaches have appeared in three or more consecutive conference championship games at all. Tom Landry did it in Dallas, and Marv Levy did it in Buffalo. But that’s a short list – and a great list too. Overall, Harbaugh’s postseason record with the 49ers was 5-3. If the team had just gotten one more first down in Super Bowl XLVII, the 49ers might have knocked off the Baltimore Ravens (coached by Jim’s brother John).
The Harbaugh family still loves Ann Arbor
Harbaugh’s father, Jack, coached at Michigan during the 1970s. He is also a big fan of the current interim athletic director at Michigan, Jim Hackett, who played under Jack Harbaugh.
This flirtation has been going on for a long time
Michigan fired coach Rich Rodriguez after the 2010 season. At that time, Harbaugh was still the head coach at Stanford. Every NFL team that had a head coaching opening was coming after Harbaugh, as were the Michigan Wolverines. Harbaugh ended up taking the San Francisco job because he already lived in Northern California and had always wanted to coach in the NFL. However, the idea of coaching at his alma mater was tempting too. So it’s not really a surprise he ended up there.
