During his nine years as head coach at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh compiled a laundry list of clever catchphrases. From instructions on how his players should “attack” each day to repeated mantras designed to instill togetherness, Harbaugh peppered the Wolverines with a steady diet of wise yet clever messages for his team to digest.
Earlier in the week, Harbaugh sat down with his brother, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, and the LA Chargers’ media team to break down where all of his funny phrases were first uttered.
To kick off the comedic tell-all, John snuck in a cheeky reference to Michigan’s sign-stealing ordeal in 2023:
First, John snuck in a clever reference to Michigan’s sign-stealing situation from last year pic.twitter.com/cCGJjfxwUM
— Eric Rutter (@EricJRutter) March 7, 2024
It would be difficult to estimate just how many times Jim Harbaugh has asked his Wolverines team, “Who’s got it better than us?” But I am curious to know how many players have responded with an answer other than “Nobody!”
After that, Jim and John find out who had it better than they did growing up.
— Eric Rutter (@EricJRutter) March 7, 2024
Any guesses? pic.twitter.com/pvCkie50CH
Fitting with that same brand of positivity, Harbaugh often instructed his squad to approach each day with the maximum amount of intensity possible— an enthusiasm never before seen. The two Harbaughs discuss whether or not that is even possible to accomplish.
The NFL’s coaching brothers break down what it actually means to have an enthusiasm *unknown* to mankind pic.twitter.com/RaRLCUhrSw
— Eric Rutter (@EricJRutter) March 7, 2024
The 2023 season was a magical string of 15 games that encapsulated what Michigan Football means to so many. So, in Harbaugh’s estimation, which of his players last year truly encapsulated an “Enthusiasm Unknown to Mankind?”
That honor would be bestowed upon Kris Jenkins.
Which Wolverine from last year’s team showed the most enthusiasm by Jim’s assessment?
— Eric Rutter (@EricJRutter) March 7, 2024
None other than Kris Jenkins pic.twitter.com/t1XErI2eTE
The Harbaughs have never shown fear when it comes to taking a novel approach to problem solving, and National Championship-winning former Michigan coach has his own creative proposal for a new member of the coaching staff.
Everyone’s heard of the “Get Back Coach” but take a listen to Jim’s proposal for a would-be addition to the coaching staff: pic.twitter.com/A8EBHukiyN
— Eric Rutter (@EricJRutter) March 7, 2024
Throughout his coaching career, Harbaugh has preached for his players to operate with an “attitude of gratitude,” but the Chargers coach analyzed the word in a brand new way— well, new to everyone not named John Baxter, Michigan’s special teams coordinator in 2015.
Ever heard of the attitude of gratitude? Jim analyses the phrase’s hidden numerical message pic.twitter.com/J0J4ZKgkH6
— Eric Rutter (@EricJRutter) March 7, 2024
Who is the rightful owner of their term Force Multiplier? According to John Harbaugh, that phrase likely has it roots embedded in the armed services, but the Harbaugh brothers still borrow the term on occasion.
Jim and John debate where the term Force Multiplier came from with a shoutout to the soldiers. pic.twitter.com/qm7Wwcn4KG
— Eric Rutter (@EricJRutter) March 7, 2024
Finally, the Brothers Harbaugh ripped the band-aid off of a recent squabble between the two clever coaches and called upon their father, Jack, to settle the score— like old times.
Finally, the energetic coaching pair engaged in a debate that even their father, Jack, couldn’t straighten out. pic.twitter.com/AllhFiVt9z
— Eric Rutter (@EricJRutter) March 7, 2024
Did the Harbaugh brothers leave out any trademark phrases? Let us know and be sure to follow @EricJRutter on X / Twitter for more Wolverine Digest updates.
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