In his time as Michigan’s head coach, Jim Harbaugh created media frenzies, dustups with coaches, viral moments with recruits and all the pieces in between.
Employed in late 2014 to exchange Brady Hoke because the Wolverines’ coach, Harbaugh wasted no time as soon as in Ann Arbor ruffling feathers by poking at coaches for breaking guidelines and pushing the bounds on what the NCAA would permit via satellite tv for pc camps throughout the nation.
He climbed timber, had sleepovers and made desserts for recruits to attempt to win them over. After three Massive Ten titles, three School Soccer Playoff appearances and having delivered his alma mater its first nationwide title since 1997, Harbaugh accepted the head-coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
As a result of he’s departing the faculty soccer world, here’s a take a look at a few of his extra memorable and viral moments since becoming a member of Michigan in 2014.
Feb. 7, 2015: Harbaugh had a dedication from ESPN 300 working again Mike Weber, a prime prospect out of Detroit Cass Tech, within the 2015 class. Weber decommitted from the Wolverines in the midst of the fourth quarter of the staff’s loss to Maryland within the 2014 season.
Harbaugh fought to get Weber again within the class, however the working again in the end signed with Ohio State. Weber mentioned on the time that Buckeyes working backs coach Stan Drayton was a giant a part of his dedication, however Drayton left to take the identical place with the Chicago Bears the day after Weber signed his nationwide letter of intent with Ohio State.
Harbaugh took the chance to seemingly tweet in regards to the state of affairs.
Considered the day – What a tangled net we weave when first we observe to deceive! – Sir Walter Scott
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) February 7, 2015
Weber caught with Ohio State and performed 4 seasons for the Buckeyes earlier than he was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys within the 2019 NFL draft.
March 3, 2015: Harbaugh is understood to be a fan of TV star Choose Judy, even attending a taping of her present together with his father, Jack.
So, he naturally took to Twitter to congratulate Choose Judy on a contract extension.
Massive Congrats to Choose Judy on signing her contract extension via 2020 from a Religious Fan!
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) March 3, 2015
He has since performed playing cards with the choose and has publicly talked about his admiration for her and the present.
“I am a giant fan of the ‘Choose Judy’ present,” Harbaugh instructed reporters on the 2013 NFL mix. “And while you lie in Choose Judy’s courtroom, it is over, your credibility is totally misplaced, you stand no probability of successful that case. So, I realized that from her. It’s extremely highly effective.”
March 14, 2015: The 2016 recruiting class is when Harbaugh actually began to drag out all of the stops on the recruiting path. The employees put a ton of effort and creativity into recruiting ESPN 300 defensive lineman Boss Tagaloa, from California.
That included Harbaugh recreating a “promposal” poster that Tagaloa used to ask somebody to promenade. Harbaugh posed for an image with an indication of his personal that learn, ‘UM will probably be bitter with out you, so let’s make it candy. MICH?’
I often do not tweet issues like this, so forgive me however that is simply actually too humorous to not! haha #ImDone pic.twitter.com/Muk5ZcVYzd
— Boss Tagaloa (@_BT75) March 14, 2015
Tagaloa, nevertheless, ended up signing with UCLA.
April 24, 2015: The satellite tv for pc camp thought was born. Harbaugh’s plan was to host soccer camps across the nation, particularly in SEC states.
One of many first massive concepts that Harbaugh carried out ruffled the feathers of many different faculty coaches. Then-Alabama coach Nick Saban known as the camps “ridiculous.” Harbaugh was accused of making the camps as a recruiting software, realizing that some conferences would not permit their packages to journey greater than 50 miles to attend highschool camps.
Harbaugh tweeted out an invite to another faculty coach who needed to attend Michigan’s camps.
As a Collegial gesture we invite Coaches from Each School to be concerned in our soccer camp. #Compete #ExposureU pic.twitter.com/lMM4ZiSLx2
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) April 24, 2015
To get across the 50-mile rule for some colleges, Harbaugh included an invite for these coaches to come back as visitor audio system.
Then-ACC commissioner John Swofford mentioned on the time that his convention can be in favor of a rule that will prohibit satellite tv for pc camps throughout the nation.
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“We simply do not feel prefer it’s a wholesome a part of the recruiting course of in faculty soccer,” Swofford mentioned on the time. “We could need to in the end rethink it if the principles proceed to permit it, as a result of we’re not going to place ourselves in a aggressive drawback in recruiting if we had been to really feel like we had been deprived, however our main objective proper now could be to attempt to achieve assist for a nationwide rule that prohibits it.”
The NCAA first banned satellite tv for pc camps, which triggered one among Harbaugh’s first public criticisms of the group, however then rescinded the ban and allowed the camps to proceed.
June 4, 2015: The tour of satellite tv for pc camps, known as the Summar Swarm, was introduced in June. It consisted of 9 areas, beginning in Indianapolis, touring to Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, California and ultimately ending again in Michigan. On the stops, Harbaugh would typically put on jerseys representing native groups.
The tour spanned eight days and price Michigan $211,948 in complete, based on FOIA requests by MLive.
June 5, 2015: The Summer time Swarm had already garnered consideration from media and coaches, however Harbaugh wasted no time growing visibility by taking his shirt off whereas taking part in a pickup sport at one of many camps.
Coach Harbaugh continues to be Ripped. . pic.twitter.com/kPYozwh6ou
— LC Davis (@lcddavis_King) June 5, 2015
He stored his signature khakis on whereas taking part in a sport of shirts and skins.
“I used to be like a pig in slop,” Harbaugh mentioned on the camp. “Man, you guys are in form. You have obtained a coronary heart for soccer, a face for soccer, and I really like being round you guys. That was a enjoyable, enjoyable day.”
June 25, 2015: As soon as the Swarm Tour was over, Harbaugh was again in Ann Arbor, entertaining recruits. He took tight finish recruit Naseir Upshur and some others out for ice cream, which Upshur documented on Twitter.
strolling the Ann Arbor streets with coach Harbaugh 〽️〽️ pic.twitter.com/JcEfjI2my7
— PG (@NaseirUpshur) June 25, 2015
This was one of many extra tame recruiting occasions, however provided that Harbaugh was contemporary off his cross-country antics, it as soon as once more made information.
Aug. 12, 2015: Previous to the beginning of his first season as Michigan coach, Harbaugh instructed reporters that after the wild tour, viral headlines and extra publicity than Michigan had seen in fairly a while, he and the staff can be headed into “submarine” mode.
“We’re going right into a submarine, and you will not see us for some time,” Harbaugh mentioned on the time. “You will not hear from us, you will not see us, we’ll be working. We’ll be in a bunker till we determine we’re not.”
Nobody from the staff emerged from the submarine publicly till Aug. 27, when a couple of gamers talked to the media. Offensive lineman Kyle Kalis was one of many first gamers to floor.
“It was undoubtedly an expertise,” Kalis mentioned. “One which I am going to inform my children about once I’m older. It is undoubtedly been a camp not like any we have had earlier than, and it is going to pay dividends for us down the highway.”
November 2015: Harbaugh’s weight loss plan plan was revealed.
“I take a vitamin day-after-day. It is known as a steak,” he mentioned. “I actually consider the No. 1 pure steroid is sleep, and the No. 2 pure steroid is milk, entire milk. Three can be water. 4 can be steak. It goes with all the pieces.”
Harbaugh, who as soon as appeared in a “Bought Milk?” advert, later instructed Dan Patrick that he did not like having something lower than entire milk on the staff’s eating corridor.
“We refuse to drink the candy-ass skim milk or the 1%,” Harbaugh mentioned. “We refuse. We cannot have any of that.”
In 2016, Harbaugh was photographed at an Ann Arbor steakhouse able to take pleasure in his favourite meal.
Ruth’s Chris & Buzz Goebel!Sarah, me & Ann Arbor thank U for being such good sports activities! Plus the Steaks are A++, Mercy! pic.twitter.com/7CiB8ZMuXy
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) October 12, 2016
Nov. 18, 2015: Harbaugh had finished the promposal recreation for recruits, and members of his employees had written letters, however they moved on to baking birthday desserts for his or her prospects.
🙃🙂🙃🙂🙃🙂🙃WHAT!?! S/o to UMich for the love 〽️〽️ pic.twitter.com/do96yg7Lvk
— J. Jones (@KingCaarlos) November 19, 2015
Jonathan Jones was the recipient of solely a birthday cake tweet, so he did not really get to eat the cake. It is the thought that counts, although, and possibly Harbaugh and his employees loved a few of the cake in honor of Jones and his birthday.
They did it once more for defensive lineman Jordan Elliott, making a cake that was speculated to appear like Elliot’s house state of Texas. It labored solely briefly, as Eliott dedicated to Michigan however ultimately flipped to Texas.
Jan. 14, 2016: Following a 10-3 season, Harbaugh took the recruiting ways to a different stage and had a sleepover at kicker Quinn Nordin’s home. The justification was that there was no restrict as to how lengthy an in-home go to may final.
So, in Harbaugh’s thoughts, if he stayed the evening and stayed the remainder of the day, it was all nonetheless one go to.
Information of the sleepover unfold rapidly, and Nordin’s neighbors determined to troll Harbaugh with an enormous signal displaying the rating of that 12 months’s Michigan-Michigan State sport, which the Spartans had received.
I Respect the preparation! #GoBlue! pic.twitter.com/PVnAuTw8we
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) January 15, 2016
Harbaugh went to Nordin’s highschool the subsequent morning and ultimately rode within the automotive with him to Ann Arbor for a go to.
Jan. 19, 2016: Harbaugh then traveled to the West Coast to proceed recruiting Tagaloa, who obtained the promposal recreation. This time, Harbaugh attended class with the defensive deal with at his highschool.
Right here is Jim Harbaugh attending class with Boss Tagaloa @_BT75 at this time. pic.twitter.com/hhc7Ggcwlq
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) January 19, 2016
Jan. 19, 2016: Harbaugh stayed in California to recruit cornerback David Lengthy.
They had been exterior of Lengthy’s home, taking part in catch with Lengthy’s siblings. Earlier than they knew it, Harbaugh was climbing a tree.
“My little sister requested if he may climb the tree,” Lengthy mentioned on the time. “He was simply making an attempt to meet her request. He ended up placing my little brother up as an alternative, as a result of he by no means really made it up.”
There was an image that circulated on-line exhibiting Harbaugh climbing the tree whereas carrying his khaki pants.
Jan. 20, 2016: The sleepover with Nordin was so successful that Harbaugh determined to do it once more, this time with defensive finish Connor Murphy.
It was a Netflix & Chill sort of evening with @CoachJim4UM @umichfootball @espn #sleepover pic.twitter.com/yezUaYc6bK
— Connor Murphy (@CMurph_90) January 20, 2016
Harbaugh had historical past with the Murphy household, as a result of he recruited Connor’s older brother, Trent, to Stanford. Harbaugh babysat for Connor as soon as when he was youthful, however this time he was there recruiting the youthful Murphy.
Feb. 24, 2016: The satellite tv for pc camps created fairly the dust-up amongst different coaches who weren’t pleased in regards to the resolution to permit the camps to proceed.
“[Michigan is] clearly making an attempt to achieve a aggressive benefit, and clearly that is their proper,” Georgia coach Kirby Good mentioned on the time. “However I feel the NCAA in due time must step in and hold it from getting out of hand.”
That remark appeared fairly tame, however Harbaugh took offense to it and tweeted again at Good.
If the Georgia coach is implying any intent on our half to interrupt guidelines, he’s barking up the unsuitable tree.
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) February 24, 2016
Not a lot got here from the alternate, however Harbaugh wasn’t finished calling out opposing coaches.
March 3, 2016: Harbaugh and his employees had been preparing for his or her camp at IMG Academy in Florida, when then Arkansas coach Bret Bielema mentioned he would attend, together with Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio.
Dantonio joked with Bielema that they might meet in Florida for lunch, which brought about then-Tennessee coach Butch Jones to say he, too, would meet them for lunch in Florida.
That did not sit properly with Harbaugh, who subtweeted Jones by calling him his “Rocky High colleague.”
Suggestion to my Rocky High colleague, reasonably than lunch in Florida you may spend your time and focus attending to your current staff.
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) March 3, 2016
April 2, 2016: That is when Harbaugh started occurring stage with rappers. That included becoming a member of Lil Dicky, who was performing in Ann Arbor, for a rendition of the nationwide anthem.
An a〽️aizing rendition of the Nat’l Anthem that includes @lildickytweets & @CoachJim4UM. See on UofMichigan @Snapchat! pic.twitter.com/EXQFsa5ekF
— College of Michigan (@UMich) April 3, 2016
April 13, 2016: Simply 11 days after occurring stage with Lil Dicky, Harbaugh frolicked with rap group Migos earlier than their live performance in Detroit.
The group requested Harbaugh to come back on stage and dab with them, in order that they naturally needed to ice him out with jewellery earlier than he made his look.
Harbaugh did go on stage and was doused with water whereas dancing throughout the live performance.
Jim Harbaugh obtained drenched with water onstage at Migos. pic.twitter.com/WnX0p0rJSA
— Rachel Premack (@rrpre) April 14, 2016
Harbaugh would later invite the group again to Ann Arbor.
Might 31, 2016: Harbaugh was again to throwing shade at opposing coaches, this time at Saban.
“Wonderful” to me- Alabama broke NCAA guidelines & now their HC is lecturing us on the potential for guidelines being damaged at camps. Really “superb.”
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) June 1, 2016
At SEC conferences, Saban had talked about despising satellite tv for pc camps and mentioned faculty soccer was transferring towards the wild, wild west. His feedback drew the ire of Harbaugh and resulted in his tweet.
Saban later fired again at Harbaugh via reporters.
“I do not actually care what he thinks or tweets,” Saban mentioned. “I say what I feel is finest for school soccer and the gamers.”
June 9, 2016: Harbaugh had constructed a relationship with the employees and administration at Paramus Catholic Excessive College via recruiting Paramus gamers Jabrill Peppers and Rashan Gary.
The plan was for the coaches to come back to Paramus Catholic for a satellite tv for pc camp, however the NCAA put a brief ban on the camps on the time. That led to Harbaugh coming to the varsity and giving the graduation speech for the graduating class.
The coaches had been recruiting linebacker Drew Singleton and some different gamers from the staff, so it gave Harbaugh an opportunity to have a presence on the college.
July 18, 2016: Harbaugh continued showing on the rap scene, this time with artist Bailey in a track known as, “Who’s obtained it higher than us?” That’s, after all, Harbaugh’s signature saying.
July 14, 2016: Harbaugh ended the camp tour early, as a result of there was worry of the Zika virus in American Samoa, the place a camp was speculated to be held. He as an alternative stayed in California and took a visit to Disneyland, the place he bumped into speak present host Jerry Springer.
Nice seeing @jerryspringer at Disneyland. Nice man! pic.twitter.com/Y4bv2GBu5S
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) July 14, 2016
Oct. 15, 2016: Recruiting within the San Francisco space, Harbaugh held the down marker on a series gang at a highschool sport.
Look who our photographer @rayinaction bumped into on the St. Mary’s / El Cerrito highschool soccer sport. (Extra video to come back.) pic.twitter.com/LM7swaZ03R
— Mercury Information (@mercnews) October 15, 2016
Nov. 12, 2016: Talking of random, Harbaugh went on a radio present and spoke about his admiration for SpongeBob SquarePants.
“SpongeBob assaults every day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.” – Jim Harbaugh
— ESPN School Soccer (@ESPNCFB) November 12, 2016
“I really like his perspective,” Harbaugh mentioned on the time. “He assaults every day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind! I’ve sort of modeled my habits after him. All of us ought to. What an awesome worker he’s. He is a go-getter. He is at all times obtained a bounce to his step. He is obtained pizazz. He places his coronary heart and soul into making these Krabby Patties. I feel he is superior.”
April 26, 2017: Harbaugh began a convention of taking the staff to significant locations throughout the offseason.
In 2017, he took the staff to Italy, the place Harbaugh had the possibility to fulfill the pope. In fact, upon assembly Pope Francis, Harbaugh gave him a Michigan helmet and Jordan Model footwear.
There isn’t a phrase to explain the inside magnificence that shines via the eyes of our Holy Father and his phrases… “Pray for me” pic.twitter.com/doUpeajuRp
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) April 26, 2017
When you had been hoping the pontiff would make an look whereas carrying the Jordans, it hasn’t occurred but.
April 28, 2017: Whereas in Italy, Harbaugh did an impression of Maximus from the film “Gladiator.”
No phrases. pic.twitter.com/5V9AUiXkny
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) April 28, 2017
And sang some opera for reporters.
Harbaugh: Opera Singer pic.twitter.com/vhqLdYwXiU
— angelique (@chengelis) April 28, 2017
Sept. 30, 2017: Throughout a bye week, Harbaugh went to Michigan’s Water Carnival and took part in a few of the platform diving. He, after all, did it in khakis.
.@CoachJim4UM is a platform man. Excellent type. #GOBLUE pic.twitter.com/uBZXGncavV
— Michigan Swimming & Diving (@umichswimdive) September 30, 2017
He tried a number of occasions in what was decided to be a cannonball contest.
July 19, 2018: “Automotive and Driver” journal went to Ann Arbor to do a video section with Harbaugh and a Dodge Charger. Harbaugh drove to his childhood home, after which drove the automotive into the Massive Home and did doughnuts on the turf.
It is a enjoyable video, undoubtedly try the entire thing: 🍩 pic.twitter.com/xK8OYwbfr4
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) July 9, 2018
July 30, 2018: In a narrative in Bleacher Report, Harbaugh was quoted as telling quarterback Wilton Speight to keep away from hen “as a result of it is a nervous chook.”
Aug. 6, 2020: Throughout a convention name amongst Massive Ten coaches, Harbaugh reportedly interrupted Ohio State coach Ryan Day and requested him a couple of photograph that confirmed then assistant coach Al Washington teaching the linebackers throughout a time on the calendar when it wasn’t permitted.
Day reportedly responded by telling Harbaugh to fret about his staff. After the decision, Bucknuts reported that Day instructed his staff that Michigan ought to hope for a mercy rule, as a result of they will, “hold 100 on them.”
Sep. 15, 2020: That is the final time that Harbaugh tweeted, maybe ending an epic run of one of many nice Twitter beefers.
Nov. 28, 2021: After Day mentioned Ohio State was going to hold 100 factors on Michigan, the Wolverines beat Ohio State 42-27. Harbaugh wasted no time when requested in his postgame press convention what he considered Ohio State’s trash-talking in recent times.
“Generally there are individuals standing on third base that assume they hit a triple,” Harbaugh mentioned on the time. “However they did not.”
Harbaugh ultimately defined on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit that it was a shot at Day.
“It was undoubtedly a counterpunch by me, to the remark that they had been going to hold 100 on us, etcetera,” Harbaugh mentioned on the radio. “Sort of like Sugar Ray Robinson.”
Jan. 20, 2022: Whereas Harbaugh hasn’t been on social media, it doesn’t suggest he hasn’t gone viral. Whereas recruiting gamers at Jesuit Excessive College in Tampa, Florida, he determined to do squats within the weight room.
For school coaches corresponding to Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, life on the highway recruiting could make it troublesome to get in a each day exercise.
So at this time within the Oliva Weight Room at Jesuit, Harbaugh labored some squats into his go to.#AMDG l #GoTigers l #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/KeoftiJP4s
— Jesuit Tigers Soccer (@JesuitTigers_FB) January 20, 2022
Dec. 11, 2022: In-home visits with Harbaugh have already produced sleepovers and tree-climbing escapades.
In a seemingly tamer second, Harbaugh helped wash the dishes at receiver Semaj Morgan’s home on a go to.
On the Morgan family…you must pull your weight!!!! @CoachJim4UM undoubtedly pulled him. Thanks Coach for popping out we actually loved you!!! You’re actually and superb man!!! pic.twitter.com/fi9FdPieaQ
— Erika Morgan (@Erika_Morgan_TS) December 11, 2022
Feb. 22, 2023: Image your self driving on a highway at evening, while you come throughout a big tree blocking your manner. Now think about you look out your windshield to see Jim Harbaugh making an attempt to maneuver the tree in entrance of you.
On 2/22/23 at roughly 8pm in the midst of the ice storm Ofc Howard Cooper was at Devonshire and Londonderry to take away a big tree that was blocking the highway when a van pulled up. The motive force then parked and obtained out of the automobile. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/FxG3s9t0P7
— Ann Arbor Police (@A2Police) February 23, 2023
That’s precisely what occurred to at least one driver close to Ann Arbor, as Harbaugh made the information for serving to a police officer transfer a tree out of the highway. The ordeal was caught on the police digital camera and photographs was later shared on-line.
Sep. 9, 2023: Whereas serving a three-game suspension for NCAA recruiting violations, Harbaugh was again working with the referee crew.
Jim Harbaugh was a part of the chain gang at his son’s sport earlier at this time: pic.twitter.com/OQh55pVjxw
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 9, 2023
Sep. 30, 2023: Defensive deal with Kenneth Grant intercepted a go in opposition to Nebraska, which was fairly the feat for a 6-foot-3, 339-pound lineman. After the sport was over, when everybody was within the locker room, Harbaugh determined that the entire staff ought to sing the track, “For He is a Jolly Good Fellow,” to Grant.
The track one way or the other caught with the staff they usually sang it after each sport this season.
Nov. 6, 2023: Professional wrestling icon Ric Aptitude and Harbaugh turned buddies when Harbaugh performed for the Chicago Bears and have frolicked collectively ever since.
Simply Spent The Morning With My Shut Pal The Nice @CoachJim4UM! Go Blue! WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/voqAEP16eB
— Ric Aptitude® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) November 6, 2023
Aptitude confirmed as much as Ann Arbor for a go to in November and exited the constructing with out his signature, “Woo.”
Nov. 13, 2023: Harbaugh sounded as if he was shedding his voice, however insisted he wasn’t sick.
As a substitute, he insisted that he’s the “iron wall that viruses bash in opposition to” and he’ll do “push-ups and eat an apple” to get higher.
Nov. 20, 2023: In one among his closing odd statements as Michigan coach, Harbaugh quoted Ted Lasso.
Jim Harbaugh says regardless of the surface noise, his locker room is one piece. He says he likes his locker rooms like he likes his mother’s bathing fits…one piece.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) November 20, 2023