Jim Harbaugh Effect: Changes in his first year to transform Michigan Football

Below are 4 things I noticed that Harboaugh changed when he took the head coaching job at Michigan.

1. Recruiting.
   1. Moving from regional to national focus. Harbaugh completed a nine-day, seven-state blitz of satellite camps, including several in the heart of SEC country.
   2. Brand – Then came “Signing of the Stars,” the national signing day event filled with pomp, circumstance and celebrity. Partnering with The Players’ Tribune, Derek Jeter’s outfit, Michigan had Jeter, a Wolverines fan, and Tom Brady introducing recruits. Ric Flair wooed and Jim Leyland hit the Dab with hip-hop group Migos.
   3. He has also hired prominent high school coaches as assistants, had his big, Signing Day blowout and recently agreed to speak at the commencement of one of the nation’s top high school football powers.
2. Coaching Staff.
   1. He’s filled his staff with veteran coaches. In addition to his 10 coaches, he also has 6 analysts, one for each major area of strategy.
3. Location strategy
   1. Widening the geographic scope and focus of recruiting.
4. Lengthen Practices.
   1. The maximum time allowed for practices in the spring is 4 hours. When he took the was hired, he watched game tape from the previous year and noticed in the 4th quarter the team was fatigued more than their opponent. So he decided to extend practice times to 4 hours. He also moved practices outside.
   2. Something that’s proved to be one of the biggest tests for players through Michigan football’s spring practice slate has been the sheer length of the time they’re on the field. Full practice sessions have lasted upwards of four hours, which is significantly longer than what many of the players have experienced before.
   3. “Practicing outside (is a major difference),” said redshirt junior Jehu Chesson. “We’ve never practiced outside in the spring, at least through my years here. We’ve always been in Glick, and it’s great to be outside and feel the sunshine. We’re on the field for a long time too. Just great competition, and if you love football you’ll love this.”

http://www.mlive.com/sports/2016/06/how_michigans_recruiting_is_ev.html