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Former Michigan All-American Jake Butt reflects on Jim Harbaugh’s tenure

Derek Peterson

By Derek Peterson

Published:

Former Michigan tight end Jake Butt couldn’t say enough about the job Jim Harbaugh did to turn around the Wolverines program when he made an appearance on SiriusXM Radio on Thursday.

Harbaugh took over the U-M football program in 2015. In the seven seasons prior to his arrival, Michigan produced more than eight wins in a year only twice.

“I would not have reached the heights I did as a player if Jim Harbaugh wasn’t my head coach. I am 100% certain of that,” Butt said. “Michigan, what he inherited when we were there — we were 5-7, we were booed in our own stadium. … He turned the program completely around, and he left it on the highest note.

“In 2020, he said we’re gonna beat Ohio State or we’re going to die trying. And he delivered on that promise three straight times. Regardless of anything, he left the program significantly better than he found it. And he’s been grooming all year Sherrone Moore to be the next head coach. That’s foresight, that’s leadership.”

Harbaugh went 10-3 in each of his first two seasons. Excluding the six-game campaign in 2020, Harbaugh won at least eight games every season he was in charge. In 2023, Harbaugh delivered the program’s first national championship since 1997.

Earlier this week, he officially agreed to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, setting up a return to California. Harbaugh was a quarterbacks coach with the Oakland Raiders. His first full-time FBS job was at Stanford. When he jumped to the NFL in 2011, he took over the San Francisco 49ers.

In four seasons with the Niners, Harbaugh went 44-19-1 and led the organization to Super Bowl XLVII.

Derek Peterson

Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.