Remembering Harbaugh's Magic Carpet Ride at Michigan

Crisler was the last Wolverine football head coach to exit with a perfect national championship team in 1947. Will Michigan replace Harbaugh with a similar move to what Crisler chose?

Photo Courtesy of Rose Bowl Game

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh hoisted the trophy after beating Alabama, 27-20 in overtime, at the Rose Bowl national championship semi-final game. Behind him, left to right, are ESPN’s Rece Davis, quarterback J.J. McCarthy, defensive tackle Mason Graham and tailback Blake Corum.

By Steve Kornacki

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Well, Jim Harbaugh saved the best for last, didn’t he?

Very few coaches close their chapters with a team by registering their ultimate victory, but that’s what Harbaugh did in capping a 15-0 season at Michigan by beating Washington, 34-13, in the national championship game.

The last Wolverine football head coach to exit after a perfect championship season was Fritz Crisler, who went 10-0 in 1947 to win the national title with a 49-0 demolition of USC in the Rose Bowl.

Crisler remained at Michigan as athletic director, hiring assistant Bennie Oosterbaan as his replacement, and the next year Oosterbaan led the Wolverines to another national title and perfect record.

Speculation over the last two weeks, once Michigan had won it all in Houston, has leaned toward current offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore getting the same chance Ooosterbaan did should Harbaugh indeed return to the NFL.

Harbaugh reached a five-year contract agreement with the Los Angeles Chargers Wednesday night, turning down an opportunity to become the highest-paid coach in college history, and bringing to a close a nine-year run at his alma mater that finished with a bang.

Harbaugh said: "My love for Michigan, playing there and coming back to coach there, leaves a lasting impact. I'll always be a loyal Wolverine. I'm remarkably fortunate to have been afforded the privilege of coaching at places where life's journey has created strong personal connections for me.

“From working as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky alongside my father, Jack, and time as an assistant with the Raiders, to being a head coach at USD, Stanford, the 49ers and Michigan — each of those opportunities carried significance, each felt personal.

“When I played for the Chargers, the Spanos family could not have been more gracious or more welcoming. Being back here feels like home, and it's great to see that those things haven't changed.”

Harbaugh, who played his final two seasons with the San Diego Chargers, 1999 and 2000, returns to the franchise in its relocated city with a state-of-the-art facility – SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Michigan was 5-7 before Harbaugh arrived, and 10-3 in his first season, 2015.

“The only job you start at the top is digging a hole,” said Harbaugh, 60. “So we know we've got to earn our way. Be better today than yesterday. Be better tomorrow than today. My priorities are faith, family and football, and we are going to attack each with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.

“This organization is putting in the work — investing capital, building infrastructure and doing everything within its power to win. Great effort equals great results, and we're just getting started."

His years at Michigan weren’t without hurdles that needed to be cleared. The Wolverines were 2-4 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and there were rumors that Harbaugh wouldn’t be retained after that.

However, Harbaugh beat Ohio State and won the Big Ten championship in each of his final three seasons, going 40-3 with J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, Junior Colson and the rest. He was 89-25 with the Wolverines in nine seasons – each of which ended with rumors that Harbaugh would not return for the next season.

But he stayed longer than anyone expected, accomplished as much as anyone expected, and now embarks on trying to win the Super Bowl -- the one thing that eluded him in four wonderful seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before returning to Michigan Dec. 30, 2014.

Harbaugh will work with Wolverine athletic director Warde Manuel in choosing his replacement, and Moore and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter both would be excellent choices from the current staff.

LSU’s Brian Kelly has been reportedly interested in Michigan should Harbaugh depart, but wouldn’t be the best choice despite his success with the Tigers and at Notre Dame. Kelly is a business-like coach who doesn’t develop the same universally loving rapport with his players as Harbaugh. And the Wolverines need someone who exudes personality such as Moore and Minter.

Manuel said in a statement: “I want to thank Jim for everything he has done for our football program, athletic department and the University of Michigan over the past nine years. Every day, he has worked extremely hard to elevate the stature of Michigan across the world, with the goal of winning championships and developing young men on and off the football field.

“Jim did exactly what he sought to do at Michigan, build our program to consistently win Big Ten championships and compete for national championships, culminating with a record three straight outright conference titles and the national championship this year. He did the same off the field by graduating his players and providing life experiences through mentorships, internships and team trips around the globe.

“We have been discussing a new contract that would make Jim the highest paid coach in college football. In the end, he wanted to explore and ultimately decided to pursue a return to coaching in the NFL. We can’t thank Jim enough for all that he has done for our student-athletes, staff and Michigan football. He will always be a huge part of our rich history, and will be remembered as an all-time great Wolverine, as both a championship player and coach.”

Harbaugh won the 1986 Big Ten championship as a captain an All-America quarterback for the Wolverines and Bo Schembechler.

Manuel continued, “Jim has always been extremely upfront with his communication regarding NFL opportunities and has been helpful with this transition in leadership. We had a great conversation tonight when he informed me of this decision to return to the NFL and offered his assistance in helping identify the needs for the program moving forward.

“We are working quickly to hire the next head coach for the program and will do everything possible to keep this current staff and team together. We appreciate Jim’s dedication and passion for Michigan, the university and Ann Arbor, and I wish Jim and the entire Harbaugh family much success with the Los Angeles Chargers.”

Michigan president Santa Ono became particularly close to Harbaugh, and had this to say:

“We have been in talks with Jim Harbaugh for the last several weeks and have tried our best to retain him as our football coach. Jim called me today and let me know that he has made the difficult decision to leave Michigan and join the Los Angeles Chargers in pursuit of his NFL dreams.

“For the fans, the players, and for me personally, we are sad to hear of Jim’s departure. His drive and ambition turned our program around, delivered our first national championship in a quarter century [1997] and maintained Michigan as the all-time winningest team in the history of college football [1,004 victories].

“I thank Jim for all he has done for the University of Michigan and respect his decision. He has been an extraordinary leader and a friend. I will be cheering for Jim as he embarks on this next adventure.”

That will be in La La Land, in a community that expects nothing less than championship teams.

"Jim Harbaugh is football personified, and I can think of no one better to lead the Chargers forward," said Chargers owner and chairman of the board Dean Spanos. "The son of a coach, brother of a coach and father of a coach who himself was coached by names like Schembechler and Ditka, for the past two decades Jim has led hundreds of men to success everywhere he's been — as their coach. And today, Jim Harbaugh returns to the Chargers, this time as our coach. ‘Who has it better than us?’ "

That is the mantra begun by Jack Harbaugh, who also supplied the answer to his question: “NO-BODY!”

Jack recited that from the victory stand at NRG Stadium in Houston just two weeks ago, and the Wolverine faithful were giddy in shouting it out with him.

The memories of Harbaugh are sweet. Enjoy yours and applaud him one more time. He has it coming.