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Jim Harbaugh named Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year finalist

Anthony Broomeby: Anthony Broome12/07/21anthonytbroome
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(Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Michigan football’s Jim Harbaugh did the unthinkable with the program in 2021. Now, he has a chance to add some personal accolades to his trophy room.

Harbaugh was named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award on Tuesday afternoon along with 12 other coaches from across the country. This comes on the heels of a 12-1 regular season and Michigan’s first Big Ten Championship since the 2004 season.

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The other candidates on this year’s list include Blake Anderson (Utah State), Dave Aranda (Baylor), Luke Fickell (Cincinnati), Thomas Hammock (Northern Illinois), Billy Napier (Louisiana), Pat Narduzzi (Pitt), Nick Saban (Alabama), Kalani Sitake (BYU), Kirby Smart (Georgia), Jeff Traylor (UTSA), Mel Tucker (Michigan State) and Kyle Whittingham (Utah).

Only two other teams in Michigan history (1905, 1997) have won 12 games, but the Wolverines are not done yet. Harbaugh’s program gets the chance to add to the resume with their first trip to the College Football Playoff. They will take on the Georgia Bulldogs at the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31.

Harbaugh has a 61-23 record at Michigan football in seven seasons on the job. The work he did coming off of a 2-4 season and the reduced contract was as impressive as any job done in college football this year. It would stand to reason he has a better than puncher’s chance to win this award.

The winner of the award will be announced on Dec. 20 and the presentation will take place on Jan. 8 on the weekend of the national title game in Indianapolis. The FWAA has presented the award since 1957 and named it after Robinson in 1997.

Kickoff for Michigan’s College Football Playoff showdown with the Bulldogs on New Year’s Eve is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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