The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
anyone could have ex‑ pected? "I'm not going to sit here and tell you Michi‑ gan will win the Big Ten. But it's time to start con‑ sidering Michigan as a championship threat." There are generally two types of coaching hires — the ones that plan for a long rebuild and ask for patience, noting the pro‑ gram will take off once they have their style of athlete in school and with a few years of experience. The other hire immedi‑ ately works with what he has, establishes an iden‑ tity in his own image but with the per‑ sonnel he inherited. Harbaugh is the latter. He's remade the offensive line into a mentally strong unit that will not be pushed around, but will do the bul‑ lying. He's catered his offense around dy‑ namic tight ends and stone‑chiseled ball carriers while utilizing every weapon, including the oft‑overlooked fullbacks. He has quickly transformed the spe‑ cial teams into, arguably, the Big Ten's top unit, while he and his coaches have shaped a consistently above‑average defense into the nation's best. One can only imagine what he'll be able to do with his recruits, but then Harbaugh doesn't think that way. With an elite coaching staff that proved it‑ self in both the NFL and college ranks, Harbaugh is showing he can build Michigan into a winner and a champi‑ onship contender right now. Why wait for 2016, 2017 or 2018? Meyer showed a program didn't have to adopt a long‑range plan if there was already talent in place that just needed confidence and molding, going 12‑0 in his first season in Colum‑ bus (2012) en route to the 2014 national championship. With Harbaugh demonstrating in seven games this year he can glean the most out of a well‑stocked roster, the rehabilitation of Michigan football doesn't have to wait. The Wolverines are capable of win‑ ning now and winning big. ❏ Associate Editor Michael Spath has been with The Wolverine since 2002. Contact him at mspath@thewolverine.com and follow him on Twitter @Spath_Wolverine. LAST 15 NATIONAL CHAMPS AND FIRST-YEAR PERFORMANCE Year Coach School First 7 Games 2014 Urban Meyer Ohio State 7-0 (2012) 2013 Jimbo Fisher Florida State 6-1 (2010) 2012 Nick Saban Alabama 5-2 (2007) 2011 Nick Saban Alabama 2010 Gene Chizik Auburn 5-2 (2009) 2009 Nick Saban Alabama 2008 Urban Meyer Florida 5-2 (2005) 2007 Les Miles LSU 6-1 (2005) 2006 Urban Meyer Florida 2005 Mack Brown Texas 5-2 (1998) 2004 Pete Carroll USC 2-5 (2001) 2003 Pete Carroll USC Nick Saban LSU 4-3 (2000) 2002 Jim Tressell Ohio State 4-3 (2001) 2001 Larry Coker Miami 7-0 (2001)