Jim Harbaugh and the Brutal Art of the Turnaround

A Look at How the Michigan Wolverines Head Coach Has Led His Team to Success

Jim Harbaugh is one of the most successful college football coaches in the country. He has won a national championship, a Heisman Trophy, and multiple conference championships. But what makes Harbaugh so successful? One of the key factors is his ability to turn around struggling programs. He has done this at both Stanford and Michigan.

Stanford

When Harbaugh arrived at Stanford in 2007, the Cardinal were coming off a 1-11 season. In just three years, Harbaugh led Stanford to a 12-1 record and a Rose Bowl victory. He did this by implementing a pro-style offense and a physical defense. He also recruited some of the best players in the country, including Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffrey.

Michigan

Harbaugh was hired at Michigan in 2015 after the Wolverines had gone 5-7 the previous season. In his first year, Michigan went 10-3 and won the Big Ten East Division. In 2016, the Wolverines went 10-2 and won the Big Ten Championship Game. Michigan has continued to improve under Harbaugh, and they are now one of the top teams in the country.

What Makes Harbaugh So Successful?

There are several factors that contribute to Harbaugh's success as a turnaround coach. First, he is a great recruiter. He is able to attract some of the best players in the country to his programs. Second, Harbaugh is a great motivator. He is able to get his players to buy into his system and play hard for him. Third, Harbaugh is a great tactician. He is able to develop game plans that exploit the weaknesses of his opponents. Finally, Harbaugh is a winner. He has a winning mentality, and he instills that mentality in his players.

Conclusion

Jim Harbaugh is one of the most successful college football coaches in the country. He has a proven track record of turning around struggling programs. He is a great recruiter, motivator, tactician, and winner. These are just some of the factors that make Harbaugh so successful.