Football coaches try (and fail) to describe Jim Harbaugh in one word

ESPN asks 12 college football coaches about Harbaugh

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT – How can you make a dozen of the best coaches in college football struggle at the same time? You come up with an impossible task and ask them to try.

That's exactly what ESPN did Thursday, asking 12 college football coaches to describe Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh in one word.

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One word? Can it be done? Some of the coaches gave it their best shot.

"Umm ... interesting," Florida State's Jimbo Fisher suggested after several seconds in thought.

Dabo Swinney, who coached Clemson in the 2015 National Championship game, went with "eccentric," while Missouri's Barry Odom called Harbaugh "aggressive."

Fellow Big Ten coach Kevin Wilson (Indiana) played it safe and called Harbaugh "different."

Jim McElwain, who watched Harbaugh's Wolverines knock out his Gators, 41-7, in the Citrus Bowl last season, could only stare and shrug.

Louisville's Bobby Petrino didn't want any part of the exercise and said, "pass."

Michigan State's Mark Dantonio was unfortunately absent from the video, but his former defensive coordinator, Pat Narduzzi, just said, "Wow." In trying to describe a character like Harbaugh, that's probably as close as you can get.

You can watch ESPN's full video below.


About the Author:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.