Some say he's crazy and others believe he's "clinically insane," but Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh is nothing if not determined.
The former Stanford and San Francisco 49ers coach, who will do just about anything to motivate his players, showed serious perseverance in scoring a date with his wife, Sarah.
Harbaugh opens up about his courtship in an interview with HBO Real Sports correspondent Andrea Kremer. He says he met Sarah, whom he married in 2008, at a restaurant. He asked for her number and proceeded to call her nine -- yes, nine -- times before getting a return call.
"I could tell she was a winner all the way," Harbaugh says.
That is dedication. The fact that Harbaugh remembers the exact number, he called her nine times, might mean it's something he's proud of. And he should be, seeing as he got what he wanted.
The couple has two daughters and a son. They've also starred in this hilarious Dockers commercial after Jim received some criticism for his less-than-stylish wardrobe:
Incidentally, Harbaugh was asked about his khakis during his interview with Kremer. He said he wears them mostly because of convenience.
"I like the khakis," Harbaugh says. "If I wear them every day, I don't have to spend time thinking about what to wear. It saves 5-10, at least five minutes, maybe 15 if you're just standing in front of your closet, trying to think of, otherwise, what the right or appropriate outfit is to wear."
For another clip from the special, in which Harbaugh talks about growing up in Ann Arbor while his dad served as an assistant coach for the Wolverines, see here.
College Football Coaches Working At Alma Mater
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
As a junior in 1985, Harbaugh led the Wolverines to a final national ranking of No. 2 after a 10–1–1 season that culminated with a win against Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl. Harbaugh finished third in the Heisman voting as a senior while leading Michigan to the Big Ten championship and a spot in the Rose Bowl, where the Wolverines lost to Arizona State 22-15. Harbaugh was the Bears' first-round pick in 1987 and played 14 NFL seasons.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Harbaugh is headed back to Ann Arbor after four seasons with the 49ers that included three consecutive NFC championship games and a Super Bowl appearance. In his fourth and final season at Stanford, Harbaugh led the Cardinal to a 12-1 record, a win against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl and a final national ranking of No. 4.
Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech
Beamer was a three-year starter at cornerback for the Hokies in the 60s, when Virginia Tech twice went to the Liberty Bowl after nearly two decades of not going to a bowl at all. After working his way up the coaching ranks, Beamer became Virginia Tech coach in 1987.
Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech
Under Beamer, Virginia Tech has had 22 consecutive winning seasons and bowl appearances, including six BCS games. The Hokies just capped their 2014 season by defeating Cincinnati 33-17 in the Military Bowl in Annapolis as Beamer worked the game from the press box while recovering from throat surgery. He has turned down opportunities to leave Virginia Tech.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
Gundy was the Cowboys quarterback in the late 80s when he shared a backfield with Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas, and helped the team win two bowl games. Gundy's streak of throwing 138 passes without an interception to begin his career stood as an NCAA record until Robert Griffin III broke it in 2008. He began his coaching career as an assistant with Oklahoma State. He also held assistant posts at Baylor and Maryland.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
After serving as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, Gundy was promoted to head coach when Les Miles left for LSU in 2005. The program progressed gradually under Gundy, with the highlight being the 2011 season that featured a Big 12 championship, a 41–38 win against Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl and a final national ranking of No. 3.
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
Fitzgerald was a two-time All American linebacker who helped the Wildcats win back-to-back Big Ten championships in the mid-90s. In 1995 he won the Nagurski and Bednarik awards as the nation's best defensive player. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
Fitzgerald was thrust into the job at age 40 when Wildcats coach Randy Walker died suddenly in the summer of 2006. Fitzgerald led Northwestern to its first bowl win since the 1949 Rose Bowl by beating Mississippi State in the 2013 Gator Bowl. But the team has struggled with consecutive 5-7 finishes after that 10-3 season.
David Shaw, Stanford
Shaw was a receiver for the Cardinal in the early 90s, under coaches Dennis Green and Bill Walsh. He made 57 receptions for 664 yards and five touchdowns. Shaw was an assistant for nine years in the NFL with the Eagles, Raiders and Ravens. He joined Jim Harbaugh's staff at University of San Diego in 2006.
David Shaw, Stanford
When Harbaugh got the job at Stanford, Shaw came him with him as offensive coordinator. Then after Harbaugh was hired by the 49ers in 2011, Shaw was named his successor at Stanford. The Cardinal won the Pac-12 championship in 2012 and 2013.
Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech
Kingsbury won the Sammy Baugh Award as the nation's best passer in 2002 when he threw for 4,445 yards with 41 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Kingsbury appeared in one NFL game with the Jets in 2005. He began coaching with the University of Houston in 2008. He was Texas A&M's offensive coordinator in 2012 when Johnny Manziel won the Heisman.
Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech
Kingsbury was hired as Texas Tech coach in December 2012 after Tommy Tuberville left for Cincinnati. The Red Raiders went 8-5 in 2013, including a 37-23 win against Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl. Injury issues contributed to a 4-8 season in 2014.
Paul Chryst, Wisconsin
Chryst was the Badgers quarterback in the mid-80s. His coaching career has included stints with the old World League of American Football and the CFL as well as college programs, including Oregon State and Illinois State. He had two separate tenures as a Wisconsin assistant, first as tight ends coach and then as offensive coordinator.
Paul Chryst, Wisconsin
After seven seasons as offensive coordinator with the Badgers, Chryst became Pitt head coach in 2012. He went 19-19 in two seasons with the Panthers. When Gary Andersen left Wisconsin for Oregon State after the 2014 season, the Badgers hired Chryst.
