Jim Harbaugh reveals how he celebrated Rose Bowl win over Alabama

Jim Harbaugh certainly celebrates wins in his own way and the Michigan coach revealed how he did so on the plane after beating Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

Perhaps this is a peak into how he’ll celebrate a national championship Monday, should the Wolverines beat Washington. In typical Harbaugh fashion, he explained the only way he knows how.

All about that “happy” Michigan flight right? With a nice refreshing cold beverage.

“That’s a great question,” Harbaugh said. “Happy flight. I just go ‘happy flight.’ Get around all the guys. You kind of walk up and down the aisles a little bit, talk about the game, ask guys questions. It’s just celebrating, just really fully celebrating that feeling.

“And then after a couple of hours drinking a Diet Coke on ice and reflecting on it, taking it all in. About 6 hours, to answer your question. It’s usually about 6 hours for me to then start thinking about the next game.”

Harbaugh and Diet Coke. It just goes together like peanut butter and chocolate. That’s his routine after a big win, but what about his routine before a big game?

Jim Harbaugh reveals process before big game

During the final press conference for both head coaches prior to the championship, one reporter asked Harbaugh what his typical routine looks like the night before a game and if the title game will shake that up at all. The Michigan coach answered that he does have a process the night before games, starting with one last team meeting before everyone hits the hay.

“I really like to, the night before, you know, have that meeting, be with the team, be with the teammates, get together and watch — there’s still preparations to go over. You know, a review, re-write all my notes. But then get with the guys and have that meeting, get the red blood pumping.”

After that, some leisure time: “And then, back to the room, watch a movie, then go to sleep.”

Though, that process isn’t always so easy. Sometimes, Harbaugh really struggles to find that peaceful rest the night before a huge game. That’s why he thinks it’s important to get a great night of sleep the day before.

“Sometimes, the two nights before is the sleep you play on,” he added. “I’ve always just liked — I have no scientific evidence to present to you on that. I just know, when I played, and sometimes when I coached, too, and just the night before the game, I don’t always sleep great.”

“So I’ve convinced myself that if I get at least two nights, the night before the night before the game, if I get a great night’s sleep there, I go ‘that’s the night of sleep you’re playing on.’”