Desmond Howard comments on touching moment between Juwan Howard, Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh was thrusted into the national spotlight after Saturday’s triumphant victory over Ohio State. There were plenty of storylines to follow after the game, but the touching moment between Harbaugh and Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard will certainly be remembered.
Former Michigan football star and current ESPN College Gameday analyst Desmond Howard chimed in on the memorable moment between the two biggest leaders for Wolverines’ athletics.
Saturday’s win holds sentimental value for both coaches. Both are star alumni players who have returned to Michigan to restore their respective programs back to their glory days. Howard is known for being a member of the Fab-5, which was a legendary recruiting class for the Wolverines back in 1991. In his time there, he helped lead the Wolverines to two NCAA championship appearances.
Jim Harbaugh played at Michigan from 1983 to 1986. In his 1986 season, he was a Heisman Trophy finalist and led the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl after defeating Ohio State 26-24. He is famously known for guaranteeing a victory over the Buckeyes and making good on his word that season.
The Michigan Wolverines have knocked off rival Ohio State for the first time since 2011, kicking off a celebration in The Big House and across the state. As the final whistle blew, fans stormed the field at Michigan Stadium to start the party with coaches and players in the middle of a snowy fog.
Michigan is now 11-1 heading into a Big Ten Championship game against the Wisconsin Badgers. Entering the day No. 5 in the College Football Playoff, the Wolverines will expect a big boost as they fly into the top-four and assert themselves as national championship contenders.
Jim Harbaugh giving bonus money to staffers affected by COVID-19
The Michigan head coach is continuing Saturday’s celebration with a selfless act aimed at helping athletic department staffers who had their pay reduced to COVID-19 issues.
Earlier this week, Harbaugh made an appearance on the “Inside Michigan” radio show and said he would be donating all bonus money, no matter the amount, back to the Wolverines’ athletic department in order for it to be distributed.
According to ESPN, the Michigan athletic department implemented salary reductions of 5-10% for most of its employees in 2020 to help offset revenue loss from the pandemic as well as salary freezes.
Jim Harbaugh has the ability to earn bonuses up to $3.475 million. That includes $500,000 for winning the Big Ten East, which the Wolverines did on Saturday by beating rival Ohio State.