Michigan Hockey Summer is in full swing. Basketball season is a distant memory. Spring football is over.
It is time.
Jim Harbaugh isn't just one of the best football coaches on the planet; he's also the most GIF-able, as we found out first-hand this past season. By my quick count, over 60 of last season's MGoGIFs featured Harbaugh, and I've narrowed those down to a field of 32. A couple quick rules:
- The GIFs had to be from the 2015 season. That eliminates anything from his playing career, pre-Michigan coaching days, or the 2016 spring game.
- No edits. Just pure, unadulterated Harbaugh.
I've divided this tournament into four regions/categories: The Good Times, The Bad Times, Harbaugh In Action, and Uncategorizable Harbaugh. Yes, the seeding process was damn near impossible, and there will undoubtedly be (legitimate) gripes about my selections, but I've left the voting up to you, our dear readers.
Voting in the first round of this region will run through Tuesday, when the next region will run. As usual, click on the still images to open each GIF in a lightbox.
THE GOOD TIMES REGION
(1) Harbaugh As Grinch vs. (8) Harbaugh Clapping
Harbaugh's Grinch-like response to a question from the postgame Citrus Bowl presser is the reaction GIF I've always wanted but never knew I needed.
This is Jim Harbaugh clapping. It's alright, I guess. The Good Times region, admittedly, isn't quite as strong top-to-bottom as the others.
(4) Harbaugh/Drevno Awkward Celebration vs. (5) Harbaugh/Drevno Successful Fist Bump
I can't get over how uncomfortable this is. Harbaugh's late switch to the bump technique nearly causes Tim Drevno to high-five his forearm.
Much better, albeit less hilarious. The scoreboard animation definitely adds something to this one.
(3) "You're Really Good" vs. (6) Rudock Hug-Like Substance
"I told him," Harbaugh began, "'man, you're really good.'"
Indeed.
I love how this interaction is both tender and strictly professional. That's one formal one-handed hug, yet you can still tell Harbaugh is welling with pride.
(2) Spring Game Grin vs. (7) Fist Pump
I went back and forth between this and the presser grin for the one-seed and I'm still not convinced I have the order right. Harbaugh surveying the scene at the spring game and looking like there isn't another place in the world he'd rather be—I mean, this GIF can be forwarded to every idiot NFL reporter who suggests Harbaugh isn't long for the college game.
A standard-issue fist pump. Like the 1/8 matchup, this one shouldn't be close.