Jim Harbaugh channels Ted Lasso, uses 'Lasso Way' in Michigan Football

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh find inspiration for his coaching style in many ways. However, one unexpected source of inspiration is fictional football coach turned soccer manager, Ted Lasso.

Lasso, the titular character of AppleTV’s hit show Ted Lasso, is a folksy, optimistic manager trying to make it in a sport brand new to him. Over time, he wins over the support of his players, front office and fans — he loves to coach, but he cares more about people than wins.

The show has been met with widespread critical acclaim, and has dominated the award scene since its inception. Evidently, Harbaugh is an avid fan — he spoke about the inspiration he found in watching the show.

“Yes I have,” Harbaugh told WXYZ Detroit’s Brad Galli, when asked if he’s watched the show. “It’s absolutely the best show on TV. Right up there with, I’d put it up there with The Rockford Files. It’s that good. It’s the best show.”

Moreover, Harbaugh singled out one scene in particular as one of the best scene in television history.

“It’s just so true. It’s just so real — I mean, the dart scene,” stated Harbaugh. “There’s probably fifty more. Not as good as that one, but pretty close to that. One of the best of all time.”

In the scene that Harbaugh mentions, Lasso takes on his club’s owner’s ex-husband in a game of darts. His opponent takes him lightly, assuming Lasso is in over his head — then, Lasso makes him pay for it.

It’s a powerful scene that spawned an important message — “Be curious, not judge-mental,” Lasso said during the game. While there are plenty of scenes to choose from throughout the series, the dart scene stands tall above the rest for Harbaugh, and many else.

Did Jim Harbaugh inspire Ted Lasso?

Harbaugh may love the series, but he plays a much more important role to the show than just a fan. According to Ted Lasso’s leading man, Jason Sudeikis — Harbaugh inspired his character’s wardrobe.

“The wardrobe that he wears is very simple, modeled after a great guy, a great coach named Jim Harbaugh from the University of Michigan. A fella I got to meet a few years back,” Sudeikis said. “I remember texting him and asking him, ‘What do you wear? What do you wear to games?’ And he broke it down.”

Side-by-side, you can see the similarities between Harbaugh’s game-day wear and Lasso’s. As the series continues to roll on, maybe the Michigan head coach can parlay his inspiration into a guest appearance on the show.

The show is based on a soccer coach, but focuses on the ups and downs people face every day. In his time with Michigan, Harbaugh knows that feeling — his time with the Wolverines has been a rollercoaster.

Right now, he’s up. We’ll see if Jim Harbaugh can keep finding inspiration from Ted Lasso, and keep winning football games for Michigan.