"It was a very quick process," over the last couple weeks, said Jim Harbaugh. The San Francisco 49ers head coach until, like, a few seconds ago, has signed an agreement with the University of Michigan. A hoarse Harbaugh pledged that he would "carry forth the tradition of excellence at the University of Michigan Football Program" at a press conference where he invoked the term "homecoming." He's previously coached at the college level for San Diego and Stanford.
According to Twitter, the very state of Michigan has been rescued and its precious Wolverines assured victory forever more.
Yeah! The State of MI (well, the maize and blue part of it anyway) has been saved! All hail our savior!
— emptywheel (@emptywheel) December 30, 2014
It's being speculated that he'll be the highest paid coach in college football history, prompting tweets like this one:
Jim Harbaugh stepping off the plane in Michigan like... pic.twitter.com/JNidGM02ya
— SportsNation (@SportsNation) December 30, 2014
In fact, it's likely the deal, which has been in the works for some time, was signed by the time that chartered plane landed. But not everyone is as ecstatic as the "Go Blue" crowd. Here in San Francisco, folks like our own Daisy Barringer have lamented the loss of Harbaugh, blaming Jed York among other forces.
Harbaugh was a four-year letterman at Michigan who led the Wolverines to the 1986 Fiesta Bowl and 1987 Rose Bowl. He will, according to unbiased fans, do all that and more again:
Ann Arbor is ready to welcome back their Michigan Man! The billboards are out for Jim Harbaugh (via @freepsports) pic.twitter.com/93RXkf0hAo
— 120 Sports (@120Sports) December 30, 2014
Even before the press conference, the excitement was palpable.
Yeah, this Harbaugh thing might be kind of a big deal. #Michigan pic.twitter.com/MfbxfftBpA
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) December 30, 2014
"I've thought about it," said Harbaugh, "I've dreamed about it and now it's time to live it. My dad coached at Michigan and it's something I've wanted to emulate since I was a youngster."
See you later, Harbaugh! And, as Daisy put it, go Niners.