Harbaugh To Join Exclusive Group In This Year's Rose Bowl Game
Although the Wolverines haven't played in Pasadena since 2007, the Michigan Football program has a long history with the Rose Bowl. Michigan will be making its 21st appearance in the Rose Bowl this season, which is more than any other program in the Big Ten Conference.
Interestingly enough, Michigan's Jim Harbaugh was part of two Rose Bowl trips as a player for the Wolverines back in the 80's (1982 & 1986). Unfortunately, both of his previous experiences as a player resulted in losses.
Now, as a head coach, Harbaugh will be looking to notch his first win in Pasadena when the No. 1 ranked Wolverines square off against No. 4 Alabama on January 1. In doing so, he'll also join an exclusive list of individuals who have both played and served as head coach of a team that has played in the Rose Bowl.
Here's a look at some of the other individuals that are a part of that group:
- Shy Huntington
- Player: Oregon - Coach: Oregon)
- Tommy Prothro
- Player: Duke - Coach: Oregon State/UCLA
- Chuck Taylor
- Player: Stanford - Coach: Stanford
- Jess Hill
- Player: USC - Coach: USC
- Pete Elliott
- Player: Michigan - Coach: Cal/Illinois
- Bump Elliott
- Player: Michigan - Coach: Michigan
- John Robinson
- Player: Oregon - Coach: USC
- Terry Donahue
- Player: UCLA - Coach: UCLA
- Rick Neuheisel
- Player: UCLA - Coach: Washington
- Bob Stoops
- Player: Iowa - Coach: Oklahoma
- Bret Bielema
- Player: Iowa - Coach: Wisconsin
- Jim Harbaugh
- Player: Michigan - Coach: Michigan
Out of the 12 individuals who have done so, only six have both played and coached for the same team in the Rose Bowl game - including Harbaugh.
