Ann Arbor, Michigan. On Tuesday, Jim Harbaugh made his first public appearance since his flirtation with the Minnesota Vikings in January and February. Harbaugh eventually signed a new contract with the Wolverines, but questions arose during the process as to whether this would be a recurring theme and an annual off-season theme.
Harbaugh confirmed to reporters that he had told Michigan’s athletic director Ward Manuel that he did not want these rumors to continue past this year, and stated to Manuel that he had ended his interest in the NFL for the duration of his new contract.
Harbaugh was interested in returning to the NFL to win the Super Bowl, which was reported to be the driving force behind the new opportunity. However, on Tuesday, he said he was focused on Michigan’s opportunities.
“We can win the greatest college football trophy, we can win the national championship; it’s very good,” Harbaugh said. “It would be great to win the Super Bowl, but focus entirely on winning the national championship.”
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He acknowledged his interest in the NFL, but said that what he and his team were building in Ann Arbor was exciting and energized him, saying he could coach forever with such a team.
“In the end, I just decided that this is where I want to be, and I am very grateful for that,” said Harbaugh. “Like I said before, it’s terribly good now. You can try to define what it is, you know the law of averages will catch up with you at some point, but this is where you want to be.”
The Wolverines just made their first trip to the college football playoffs last season after winning the Big Ten championship, and despite the loss of offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and defensive coordinator Mike McDonald, Harbaugh said the program continues the momentum of the past. season.
Harbaugh said he did not see Gattis’ departure to Miami as the Hurricanes’ offensive coordinator and was surprised by this, but said the departure was changed quickly and without issue.
Defensive coach Matt Weiss and Sherron Moore are now joint attack coordinators and bring back most of the team’s attacking players. This includes quarterbacks Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy, but McCarthy has been struggling with lingering hand pain since the season.
Doctors have consulted on this issue, which will not require surgery, but at the moment he needs to rest his arm. Harbaugh said his hand has short and long-term plans but didn’t expect it to affect the season at this point.
Given that he’s back, Harbaugh expressed his admiration for the program and how the team put behind him any uncertainty about his future in the NFL. He mentioned building this team around players and coaches who love football, getting rid of players who don’t like football, and similarly talked about this current team as they head towards the spring ball.
“Just the whole state of the program. I know that there are people who want different stories to continue, or love to hate us, or hate to love us, but we are delighted,” said Harbaugh. “The word stormy was used in the off-season and if the guys bring the energy, fun and momentum that is in the program. Whatever word you use, that’s what we have.”