Michigan football: DB coach says Jim Harbaugh will 'prove people wrong'

Michigan defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale, who was hired from Kentucky this offseason, trusts Jim Harbaugh to have the Wolverines back on track in 2021. Clinkscale told the AP the Michigan head man is ready to show those who were calling for his job after a 2-4 finish this past season how wrong they were.

“I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves,” Clinkscale said. “So, we’re going to go out there and prove people wrong.”

Harbaugh is entering his seventh season as coach of the Wolverines. He has compiled a 49-22 overall record in that time, but just a 1-4 record in bowl games. Last year was his first losing season. He is well-aware that not many people were pleased about that and said he is grateful to have an opportunity to right the ship.

“Personally, a lot of gratitude,” Harbaugh said. “How am I feeling? Attacking. Attacking each day with tremendous enthusiasm.”

Michigan can buy out Harbaugh’s contract for $4 million if it decides to fire him without cause in 2021. That amount is reduced by $1 million each of the following three seasons. Of course, the hope for both parties is that it won’t have to come to that.

Redshirt freshman Cade McNamara started one game for the Wolverines in 2020 but is expected to be the No. 1 quarterback this season. Michigan also added freshman J.J. McCarthy, the No. 149 overall player in On3’s 2021 recruiting class rankings.

“Of all the years, the quarterback play right at the beginning has been really sharp,” Harbaugh said.

Jim Harbaugh also switched things up on defense for Michigan, hiring new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Macdonald spent the past seven seasons as the defensive coordinator for Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Jim’s brother.

Michigan has an extremely favorable schedule, with nearly all of its toughest opponents coming at home. The Wolverines open at Sept. 4 against Western Michigan before taking on No. 20 Washington on Sept. 11.

They also face No. 17 Indiana, No. 12 Wisconsin, No. 19 Penn State and No. 4 Ohio State at the Big House. Harbaugh has failed to beat the Buckeyes as Michigan’s coach. The last time the Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes was 2011. Before that, it was 2003.

It hasn’t been much of a rivalry of late, and that game’s importance for Jim Harbaugh cannot be overstated.