Jim Harbaugh Set to Join Elite List at Rose Bowl 2024 After Becoming 1st Coach to Win 3 Straight Championship Games

Right now, only two things occupy the minds of people: the New Year and the Rose Bowl. Albeit this season is special, as Jim Harbaugh, the relatively new guy in Michigan town, faces off against Nick Saban, the seven-time National Championship winner. Since 2015, Harbaugh has only won one Bowl game. He is set to change that this season with his fiery team, along with another list.

Taking a trip down memory lane, Harbaugh joined the Wolverines in 1982. In his fifth year as a senior in 1987, he led Michigan to the Rose Bowl. Years after, he is again guiding Michigan to the Rose Bowl, this time as their head coach. The rare achievement reflects the lifetime of battles. To honor them, the game will mark Harbaugh joining an exclusive fraternity.

Jim Harbaugh set to join a privileged group

In just 4 days, Harbaugh will be a part of a circle of National Champions and Hall of Famers. Jim Harbaugh will be the 12th person to ever play and serve as a head coach in the Rose Bowl. Additionally, he will be the 3rd player and coach tied with Michigan Wolverines to reach there.

As if all these historic records were not enough, Harbaugh started a legacy of his own amidst the highly respected head coaches. The Michigan Wolverines coach became the only coach in the history of CFB to win three consecutive Big Ten championships.

Now, the day of the New Year will dictate more legacies that Harbaugh will make with the Wolverines. Will he continue the brilliant legacy that the other Michigan coaches on the list left behind? If Harbaugh loses the game this season with the Wolverines, and if he decides to make the widely talked about NFL switch next season, his record as a Michigan coach on the list would remain forever tainted.

The Michigan coaches preceding Harbaugh on the list

The proud representatives of Michigan before Harbaugh in this league have a 1-0 record as a Michigan player in the Rose Bowl. Harbaugh already lost in that category given his 22-15 loss against Arizona State in 1987.

Pete Elliot was the first Michigan coach to get on the list to concur to the ‘granddaddy of them all’, first as a player in 1948 against USC, and then as a coach in 1959 against Iowa. His brother, Bump Elliot, took the reins in his hands, following the footprints of his elder brother. Bump Elliot also defeated USC as a Michigan player in the Rose Bowl in 1948, being on the same team as his brother, and defeated Oregon State in 1965 in a proud 34-7 game in the Rose Bowl.

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Now, the flag rests upon Harbaugh’s shoulders to carry on the legacy of Michigan coaches on the group with a Rose Bowl win. Will he accomplish it? New Year’s Day would answer.

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