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Jim Harbaugh Will Be on Michigan’s Mt. Rushmore Very Soon

By Chris Peterson

Jan 1, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh gets a Gatorade bath after the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Florida Gators 41-7 in the 2016 Citrus Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh gets a Gatorade bath after the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Florida Gators 41-7 in the 2016 Citrus Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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There is no question that Jim Harbaugh has contributed greatly to Michigan Football. But in the end, he may be the school’s greatest contributor in the sport.

Michigan football fans love Jim Harbaugh and why shouldn’t they? He’s a spectacular coach and before that, he was a spectacular player.

Related Story: Harbaugh Banned from the Sidelines by NCAA

So when CBS Sports recently released its Mt. Mushmore of Michigan football it was a bit strange not to see Harbaugh’s name on the list.

Certainly, Bo deserved to be on there, as did Charles Woodson and Desmond Howard. Anthony Carter was the fourth selection and while I had some questions there, I understood it.

I also think that within a few short years, Carter’s spot will be taken away by Harbaugh. And depending on how long he remains the coach at Michigan, when it’s all said and done, he could even take Bo’s.

That’s because Harbaugh has an advantage that none of the other names in contention do. Like Woodson, Carter and Howard, he played at Michigan and unless you forgot, he was darn good.

During his two seasons as a starter, Harbaugh led the Wolverines to a 21-3-1 record. He beat Ohio State in consecutive seasons and led Michigan to a co-Big Ten championship in 1986 and a berth in the Rose Bowl.

Harbaugh was also named the 1986 Big Ten Player of the Year and finished third in the Heisman voting. He accounted for 18 total touchdowns his senior season (most in the Big Ten) with 10 coming in the air and eight on the ground.

Harbaugh also led the Big Ten in passing yards that season with more than 2, 729, which also ranked ninth in the nation.

When it comes to on-field achievements, nobody can compare to Woodson, who won the Heisman and also led the Wolverines to their first national championship in over 50 years.

Howard also has a special place in the hearts of Michigan fans and thanks to his heroic touchdown against Ohio State, his spot is also going to be secure for some time to come.

Bo obviously has nothing to worry about. He will always be the greatest head coach Michigan has ever seen. However, if Harbaugh leads the Wolverines to a national title, his coaching achievements, coupled with his achievements as a player would be hard for anyone to compete against.

 Harbaugh’s resume is close to the other players and after turning Michigan from a dormant program into a national powerhouse in just one year, the sky is the limit. And once he starts winning Big Ten and possibly even national titles, his greatness may be on a mountain all by itself.

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In the end, the conversation is kind of silly anyways, but the point is, if there was a Mt. Rushmore for Michigan football, if Jim Harbaugh’s not on it now, he will be, very soon.

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