Former Michigan star set to serve as Daytona 500 grand marshal

One of the largest events in NASCAR is the Daytona 500, which is scheduled for Sunday, Feb 20. And for a race this big, you need a big-time Grand Marshall to kick it off. Race officials announced that Hall of Fame defensive back Charles Woodson will be the honorary Grand Marshall on Sunday.

Woodson has been an elite defender at multiple positions in the secondary since his days as a Michigan Wolverine. At Michigan, he lead the Wolverines to a perfect season and national championship in 1997 under coach Lloyd Carr. And in that same year, he captured the Heisman Trophy and All-American honors.

In the NFL, Woodson played a total of 18 seasons between the Raiders and Packers. With the Raiders, he was named defensive rookie of the year in 1998 and two of his four first-team All-Pro nods. He would leave the team in 2006 and join the Packers. Woodson was named defensive player of the year in 2009. Woodson captured his one and only Super Bowl championship the following season in 2010 when Green Bay beat Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV 31-25.

This honor of being the 64th Grand Marshall of the Daytona 500 comes less than a year after Woodson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Michigan and Jim Harbaugh agree on contract extension

Jim Harbaugh and Michigan have agreed to a new five-year contract that runs through 2026, the university announced Wednesday.

“Jim has done a great job coaching and developing the young men in our football program,” said Warde Manuel, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. “Last season, Jim along with the staff and players delivered a memorable season that will remain with all of us for a long time. As Coach said, this is just the beginning. Academically, our program has been one of the best in the Big Ten and among the leaders across the country. We have graduated our players and they have been young men of great character who have done the right things. I have the utmost confidence in the direction of the program under Jim’s leadership.”

Harbaugh led Michigan to Michigan’s first Big Ten Championship since 2004 last season following a 42-3 victory over No. 12 Iowa. The Wolverines finished No. 3 in the final polls, its highest finish since 1997 and made their first appearance in the College Football Playoff. Despite losing to eventual national champion Georgia in the Orange Bowl, the future is bright for Harbaugh in Ann Arbor.