12:24 PM
Jim Harbaugh is the Associated Press college football coach of the year after leading Michigan to their first Big Ten title in 17 years and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Harbaugh is the first Michigan coach to win the AP Coach of the Year Award and the first from the Big Ten since Joe Paterno in 2005.
Harbaugh told the AP that it was a reflection on the entire staff. Everyone shares in it. All ships are lifted by a rising tide.
He received 22 of 53 first-place votes and 103 points from a panel of AP Top 25 voters to finish ahead of Cincinnati'sluke Fickell, who had 16 first-place votes and 88 points.
Michigan State's Mel Tucker was fourth and Dave Aranda was third.
Harbaugh came into his seventh season as coach of his alma mater on a hot seat after going 2-4 in the Big Ten. Harbaugh took a pay cut after his first losing season with Michigan, and the school was in a better position to make a coaching change if this season didn't go well.
Harbaugh made staff changes on defense.
The Michigan football team had a great season this year as they won the Big Ten title game for the first time and ended an eight-game losing streak in the rivalry with a victory over Ohio State.
Georgia and Michigan will play in the Orange Bowl on December 31st.
I love this team. Harbaugh said he loved the '21 team. They have a bounce in their step every day. They have a smile on their face. They've worked hard.
