Michigan interim AD Jim Hackett stepped to the podium and received a standing ovation. He credited former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr for helping him with process of hiring Harbaugh, and left saying "Our guy came home."
Harbaugh then stepped up to the podium to another ovation and delivered these statements:
"[During] my life I've dreamed of coaching at the University of Michigan. Now I have the honor to live it. I was reminded of another special word when I was driving in to Ann Arbor – that’s homecoming. I have great excitement about accepting the challenge to be the coach here at the University of Michigan."
He thanked Brady Hoke for leaving a "strong foundation" with the program before thanking Hackett for "having the confidence" to bring him to Michigan.
"I feel like I’m standing on this foundation that’s so rock-solid, standing on the shoulders of these tall men. Top to bottom Michigan is about excellence, greatness. You have my pledge I will carry forward the excellence of Michigan football."
From there, Harbaugh took questions from the media.
When asked if this is a stop over, he said "You build this home and hope it's a great cathedral, then go build another..I feel like that even though I've done well, built some pretty good homes - I'd like to live in one permanently. That's what I'm hopeful for here."
He also stressed the importance of winning immediately: "We have great expectations for the first week, the first day of practice, first team meeting." Harbaugh said he has great respect for rivals Michigan State and Ohio State, but said it "won't be hard" to sell recruits on coming to Michigan, meaning they should compete right away.
"There are no turnarounds at Michigan. This is greatness, long tradition of it."
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