The outlook for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan is clear. His four-year extension in January came with a reduced salary and a lower buyout. If he doesn't take the program to greater heights soon, the program could move on without him.
That means beating Ohio State and winning a Big Ten championship.
Harbaugh was reminded of the two biggest holes on his resume Thursday at Big Ten media days. And then he was asked what he needs to do to take Michigan to the next level -- and whether he feels rejuvenated by his new-look coaching staff entering year seven at his alma mater.
"I’m here before you," Harbaugh said. "I’m as enthusiastic and excited as I always am -- even more -- to have at it, to win the championship, to beat Ohio, our rivals, Michigan State, everybody. That’s what we want to do, and we’re going to do it or die trying."
Harbaugh likened it to climbing a mountain this summer with his wife and one of their daughters. As they were nearing the summit, Harbaugh's daughter looked at him and said, "We gotta apex, Dad. We gotta get to the top." To which Harbaugh replied, "You're darn right we do."
"She’s got that gene in her and I was darn glad to see it," Harbaugh said. "And I’ll tell you, I got that gene in me. And some of the guys we talked about already, Aidan Hutchinson, Hassan Haskins and Josh Ross, and a lot of others, we’ve got that gene in us. We gotta get to the top."
The next attempt for Michigan, which is just 11-10 dating back to the final two games of 2018, begins Sept. 4 against Western Michigan.