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Michigan Football: Is Jim Harbaugh building a dynasty?

By Christopher Mangum

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 20, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 20, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Hawaii Warriors on September 3, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Hawaii Warriors on September 3, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Jim Harbaugh’s early seasons at Michigan

2015 would see Jim Harbaugh’s inaugural season as Michigan’s head coach. Though no one had any idea what exactly to expect from Michigan football, most outlets had the Wolverines finishing 8-4. After a week one loss on the road at Utah, many began to worry that Michigan football was helpless.

Harbaugh’s Wolverines would then pile up the wins, eventually finishing the season with a 9-3 record. Though 9-3 is not the expectation at Michigan, fans were relieved that Michigan football was back to having some success on the field. In the Wolverines’ bowl game, they would meet Florida in the 2016 Citrus Bowl, eventually defeating the Gators, 41-7.

After an excellent start to his career at Michigan, Harbaugh would keep the streak rolling with nine-straight wins to kick off the 2016 season.

Michigan football reached as high as No. 2 in the nation in 2016 before heading to Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Wolverines once thought to be nearly unbeatable in 2016, then fell to the unranked Hawkeyes in a stunning upset.

The loss would ultimately kill the Wolverines’ momentum as the season neared its end. Michigan would defeat Indiana on a senior night in the following week before heading into Columbus with a 10-1 record and the Big Ten title on the line.

Michigan and Ohio State would clash in 2016 with a trip to the Big Ten Championship Game and a potential College Football Playoff berth on the line. At the end of overtime, the Buckeyes took home the victory following a series of very questionable calls.

Michigan football would head to the Orange Bowl against Florida State, eventually losing the game 33-32 without Jabrill Peppers and Jake Butt. Michigan had gone 10-3 under Jim Harbaugh for the second season in a row.

In 2017, Michigan football would be one of the youngest college football programs ever to take the field. Even after a 4-0 start, most fans were not convinced that Michigan would return to 10 or more wins in 2017.

Once Michigan’s Big Ten schedule kicked off, the Wolverines appeared overwhelmed. Michigan beat the teams they were supposed to beat yet fell to competitive teams such as Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State. The only team with a winning record that the Wolverines overcame in 2017 was Purdue, which finished 7-6.

Michigan’s disappointing 8-5 campaign in 2017 was met with many questions about Harbaugh’s ability to coach; however, the Wolverines came out swinging in 2018.

After a heartbreaking loss to Notre Dame in week one of the 2018 season, Michigan football would go on a massive 10-game winning streak that included huge wins over ranked teams such as Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Penn State. Michigan football was looking like itself once again.

For the second time in four seasons under Jim Harbaugh, Michigan would head into the Ohio State game with a Big Ten title and a potential trip to the playoff hanging in the balance. For the second time in a row, Michigan would not come to Ohio State and drop to 10-2.

With most of Michigan’s seniors opting out of the Peach Bowl against Florida, the Gators would get a measure of revenge against Michigan, defeating the Wolverines in blowout fashion. For the third time in Harbaugh’s four seasons, Michigan would finish 10-3.

2019 may have been one of the most hyped Michigan football seasons in recent history. With most starters returning on offense and defense and the addition of former Alabama offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, the Wolverines were looking like a playoff-caliber team.

Only a few weeks into Michigan’s brand new season, it had become clear that the Wolverines were not anywhere close to being a playoff team. After a 24-21 victory over Army in September, most doubted Harbaugh’s ability to get Michigan football back on track.

Michigan would have a rocky and inconsistent season in 2019, eventually leading the Wolverines to a 9-3 finish and another Citrus Bowl berth, this time against 10-2 Alabama. After one half of football, Michigan led the Crimson Tide; however, in the second half, the Wolverines fell apart and lost their fourth straight bowl game.

Finally, for the first time since Harbaugh’s arrival, most Michigan fans were underwhelmed with the Wolverines’ results and questioned Harbaugh’s ability to get the job done at Michigan.

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