Overtime Lib/E: Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines at the Crossroads of College Football

by John U. Bacon, Johnny Heller (Narrator)

From “the poet laureate of Michigan football” and three-time New York Times bestselling chronicler of the Wolverines, a riveting and revealing insider’s account of the Jim Harbaugh era and a deeply reported human portrait of life within a big-time college football program.

In December 2014, the University of Michigan’s storied football program was in shambles. Over the previous eight years, the perennial Big Ten powerhouse had barely risen above the .500 mark. But on December 30, a savior was proclaimed in new head coach Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL Coach of the Year, larger-than-life personality, and a legendary former All-American Michigan quarterback.

Harbaugh quickly righted the ship, leading the Wolverines to back-to-back 10-win seasons. After a disappointing 8-5 season in 2017, Michigan returned to glory in 2018 with a 10-game winning streak that elevated U of M to #4 in the polls, but the optimism was short-lived, as they suffered two crushing defeats to end the season, including a crushing loss to arch rival Ohio State. Now, with a top-five recruiting class coming in, star quarterback Shea Patterson returning, and rumors swirling that Harbaugh could be lured back to the NFL at the right price, 2019 feels very much like a make-or-break season for Michigan and its enormous, rabid fanbase.

John U. Bacon, New York Times bestselling author and “poet laureate of Michigan football” (Joe Drape) offers a thrilling insider’s account of the Harbaugh era, based on unparalleled access, hours of exclusive one-on-one interviews, and his years of deep contacts in the Michigan community. Overtime takes readers inside one of college football’s most revered programs and its quest to return to the promised land, and into the lives of the players, families, and coaches, including Harbaugh; star quarterback Shea Patterson, who had to fight the NCAA to be allowed to play; rival Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, a lightning rod for controversy; and others. In the vein of the million-copy-bestseller A Season on the Brink (which followed Indiana basketball and its notorious overlord Bob Knight), Overtime is a window into big-time college sports, and a legendary coach, that only John U. Bacon could write.

Overtime includes approximately 25 color photos.

Genres: Sports, Football, Nonfiction, Audiobook

Audio CD

Published September 3, 2019

About the author

John U. Bacon is an American journalist and author of books on sports and business as well as a sports commentator on TV and radio.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overtime is a must-read for any college football fan! John U. Bacon deftly weaves together stories of the Michigan Wolverines’ 2018 season, Jim Harbaugh’s career as a player and coach, the support staff that keeps the entire program humming along, and, undergirding it all, the dedication to ethics and academics that sets the Michigan program apart.

I enjoyed learning more about various aspects of the program from nutrition, academics, and strength coaching to reviewing game film and recruiting. It was also a treat to hear from the players and coaches I’ve so enjoyed watching on Saturdays and more deeply explore their challenges, emotions, and dreams.

Along the way, Bacon grapples with many important ethical questions facing this sport: Is it responsible to let kids play football, when CTE and debilitating injuries lurk around the corner? Should the NCAA pay players? How can programs act ethically and foster true student athletes and graduates who will be positive forces in their communities?

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read! Go Blue!

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about the University of Michigan football program. The book does provide a detailed account of each of the 13 games the Wolverines played in 2018, the book actually focuses on the fascinating behind-the-scenes activities. Included is a excellent overview of the high academic standards the U of M football players are expected and required to meet. In the 2018 season, 71 of 137 football players achieved a 3.0 GPA or above. 31 different majors were represented on this team with only 6 of 137 players working on a General Studies degree. They finished ahead of such luminary schools as Stanford and Vandebilt in football players GPA and graduation rate. Other topics covered in detail are safety protocols, equipment cost and management, recruiting, and the "daily grind" the players overcome. A really good book for anyone interested in behind the scenes of a major college football program. Although I am from the south and not a Michigan fan, I am very happy that Coach Harbaugh and the U of M football team won the 2023 National Championship - they do things the right way that so many programs don't even make a pretense to adhere to,

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book in a nutshell:

Everyone else are cheaters.
Michigan's not because they have integrity.
That's why they're always losing.

I appreciate the sentiment of revealing the character and dignity of the Michigan program, but the book felt a little bit too much like Bacon was trying to convince naysayers why Harbaugh needs to stay at Michigan even though many fans who are waiting for a win against Ohio State haven't seen it yet.

Something else that was revealed to me in this book that perhaps Bacon did not intend was just the sheer amount of money spent on these players and the program. It further turned me off from a game that my interest has been waning for many years now. I still love Michigan. I love the energy of the Big House on a breezy Autumn day. I even like Harbaugh despite so many fans being disappointed in his record. But there is too much toxicity tied up in the culture of football for me to be all in anymore.

[Megan Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book definitely could have been edited down to a shorter version that would been better! Does tell you everything you would ever want to know about Harbaughs time as head coach of Michigan.

[Ron Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fan of the Michigan Wolverines but this is the second book I have read from John Bacon and both are excellent. Even though Jim Harbaugh is a bit quirky, I found my perception of him has changed and he is actually a likable guy with a lot of good life lessons , not only football lessons

[Ari Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Michigan Football book by John Bacon. This book does a great job of portraying Jim Harbaugh in a new light and shows that there is far more to a football program than just win-loss records. Go Blue!

[J.R. Dodson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best part was the cheater stuff…more research on that, please.

[Ken Heard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime John Bacon has a book out on his Michigan team, readers should immediately grab it. Bacon provides some of the best insider views of college football I've ever read. And, as a fan of Michigan's team, it's especially rewarding to read the behind-the-scenes stories of games, players, coaches decisions, recruitment and strategies that go on daily during football season.

Bacon breaks the book into sections, alternating between Jim Harbaugh's life and the 2018 season. It also has sections by the month, so the reader is lead down the path, reliving the season.

His other books on Michigan were just as brilliant, and, although some reviews indicate this is merely a sequel to his other works, it is an excellent stand alone. Without a doubt, Bacon is the best college football writer out there. The book is over 400 pages, but it's a quick read because the reader devours it. Like I said, I followed Michigan's season last year, but reading this book is like living through an entirely new season. Sure, we know the player's names, but we don't know their lives. Bacon provides that.

Remember: Any book by Bacon is totally worth the time and effort to read.

[Shaun Ko · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got Bacon's love for his alma mater, but sometimes it can cut both ways. Why is it so important to point out Michigan football players' GPA while all intents and purposes are for them to play football? Why shot darts on SEC schools because Maize and Blue CAN'T WIN AGAINST THEM??? Look at how THAT SCHOOL UP SOUTH has done compared to Michigan! HIGHLY UNRECOMMEND!!

[David Fulmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what seems like John U. Bacon’s millionth book about Michigan football. I think the title must refer to Bacon unexpectedly writing another football book because none of the games during the 2018 season here chronicled went into overtime. In the grand narrative of Bacon’s Michigan Football Universe this season is the one where Jim Harbaugh, having returned to Michigan to restore the values of Bo Schembechler after roughly a decade-long period of wandering in the wilderness of modern college football sin (recruiting dumb jocks, NCAA violations, putting the quarterback in after suffering a concussion - you know, stuff Michigan would never do) finally brings moral football victories back to Ann Arbor. Winning, yes, but winning the right way.

Bacon frequently emphasizes what he takes to be the “program’s traditional values of honesty, integrity, and a deeply shared sense of purpose” that is, “the beliefs Michigan fans were convinced separated Michigan from the many programs trying to win at all costs.” You do, however, get glimpses of another Michigan if you read carefully. Bacon, who has taught a lot at Michigan, tells of flunking some players (this was before Harbaugh, or rather between Harbaugh reins, since he was a leader on the team in the 1980s) and also brings up the 2007 Ann Arbor News series which laid bare the Michigan way of keeping the football team academically eligible while delivering a questionable education.

The format of the book is just to go through the 2018 season from preseason to postseason, and game by game. Bacon pads things out by profiling different trainers and doctors and secretaries who keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. I think interest in these sections will vary. If you’re a die hard fan and must know how many trainers the Michigan football team has (10) and how much they spend on ankle tape every year (it was $120,000 in 2018, it’s undoubtedly more now) then you’re going to love this book.

Besides those background pieces, there’s also much material on Harbaugh’s upbringing and his philosophy of turning everything into a non-stop competition, something which seems to really drive the coach but which Bacon isn’t quite able to portray with much insight or depth. There’s a part where Harbaugh’s wife tells about not wanting to sleep beside him after his team loses because he wakes up screaming. Another telling anecdote is the weird frosty behaviour when Harbaugh faced his brother Jim in a Super Bowl and lost. Bacon includes these tantalizing details about what must be a truly fascinating psychology but he doesn’t really take it anywhere interesting.

It’s the same with his treatment of the current hot-button issues in football: concussions and injuries and whether colleges should pay the players that are bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars. Bacon addresses these issues but he doesn’t explore them very thoroughly. He just points out that “Women’s soccer has almost the same rates of concussions” and that “the 2018 football team’s three worst injuries wouldn’t happen on the field.” (But he does describe the on-field injury suffered two years earlier by Grant Newsome. He almost lost his leg and the story of this injury and recovery is one of the best parts of the book.) As for paying players, Bacon suggests that there should be a minor league for football and basketball, as there is for baseball and hockey, and that would pretty much solve everything.

I think Bacon keeps writing these books to honor what he sees as Schembechler’s values and he looks up to Harbaugh as carrying that same torch. Bacon appears to have a lot of access to the players and staff and this makes for a very well-reported and detailed book but it’s also a very sympathetic portrait. This book, it’s true, is deeper than just a highlight reel from the 2018 season but all the interesting facts and numerous interviews with key people don’t add up to a multi-dimensional portrait of a college football program. For that I guess there’s always double overtime.

[Mark Matousek · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book in the wake of Michigan’s national championship hoping to learn more about Jim Harbaugh: What has made him such a successful head coach? What characteristics of his approach to coaching, recruiting, hiring, organizational psychology, and practice- and game-planning set him apart from the many coaches who fail? What might explain why his early Michigan teams were often successful but consistently fell a little short of beating their best competition?

I came away from this book with almost zero useful insight into Harbaugh, or what behind-the-scenes details lead to success or failure for a major college football team. What I got instead were trivial summaries of games with limited insight into why Michigan might have won or lost; superficial profiles of players or support staff that usually boil down to, “Look how much work they do!”; and many passages about how morally superior Michigan is to every other college football team, and how unfair it is that Michigan has to compete with teams that cheat (of course, we don’t get close to enough evidence to prove the widespread cheating Bacon repeatedly tells us is happening everywhere except Michigan, only vague assurances from Bacon and a few players that, trust me, everyone knows that everyone cheats, but teams are so clever and indirect about it that of course no one can prove they’re cheating; nor does Bacon mention the NCAA penalties Michigan received under former head coach Rich Rodriguez — whom Bacon wrote a similarly disappointing book about — and, of course, as we’ve learned in the years since this book was published, Michigan hasn’t been as squeaky clean as Bacon suggests).

In short, this feels like a book written by a lifelong die-hard fan with no distance between himself and his subjects; who loves the team so much that he assumes every fact about every Michigan employee, every banal quote from a player or, even worse, one of their parents, is inherently interesting; and who is so closely tied to the university that he doesn’t think for a second to consider a perspective different from that of the university and its football program. He is so clearly fond of everyone he writes about that I wondered whether he was writing the book for his subjects, or for the many readers who aren’t as closely connected to the Michigan football program.

I could deal with Bacon’s homerism if it weren’t paired with his biggest flaw, one that is unfortunately shared by far too many college football writers: He has very little curiosity about how the game of football works, and what decisions and actions across the hundreds of hours coaches and players spend preparing for games determine their outcome. I have always felt that the primary benefit of getting the kind of behind-the-scenes access Bacon gets would be to observe, or at least ask about, the critical behind-the-scenes decisions and dynamics that fans don’t get to see, but which produce the results that can seem confounding to someone who only watches the games.

I would give this book one star if I were only considering its content, but I bumped my rating up to two stars because Bacon is a good, (usually) unfussy writer, who writes in a clear and direct style that, if nothing else, made this book a fairly quick read.

[Rachael Trieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any die hard Michigan fan probably already knows John Bacon and knows to read any book he writes - I couldn’t put this one down! This is not only a great book for Wolverines but for anyone who loves college football or is interested in the inner workings of a big time college athletic program. The amount of resources, money, people and detailed planning that it takes to run an NCAA program was fascinating. And the insights into the daily lives of the players gave me a whole new appreciation for what it means to be a student athlete (at least at Michigan). This book gave me incredible pride for what it means to be part of the Michigan family. It gave me comfort that even if we don’t win a National Title, we are doing things the right way and helping create men who will be contributors to both Michigan and the greater good for far longer than they’ll be football players - more important than any banner we could hang up. Thanks to John Bacon for another amazing read - look forward to the next one. Go Blue!

[Brett Van Gaasbeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read for any Michigan football fan, alumnus, or college football enthusiast. Bacon is an excellent story-teller and rarely falls into the "homer" category of a writer, as he is just as critical of the program and the coaching as most writers would be, but he gives context to those criticisms and allows for the coaches and players to have their say. He also turns the attention to lesser-known people within a program as large as Michigan, namely the strength and conditioning and nutrition coaches, the staff who deal with recruitment and video, as well as those that work to physically patch up the players and keep them on the field. It was a complete coverage of the 2018 season (The "Revenge Tour" that fell short against OSU), and it does a wonderful job of humanizing so many of the players and coaches. I have newfound respect for Harbaugh after reading this, and I was a severe detractor prior to this book. Now, count me in as a fan, as he is doing what he is doing (good or bad) the right way.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I put off reading John Bacon’s latest book because his last book on Michigan football was so painful. But I was able to see him at a book event and he assured me it was positive and uplifting. So I dug in. Don’t get me wrong, memories of what might have been last season still stings. A blowout loss to Ohio State still engenders depression. But this gives you a fuller picture of the program and leaves you understanding that there is more to life than wins and losses. Molding young men is ultimately what it is about. You also realize that the players and their friends and family feel the pain from losses more than you do.

Who knows if Coach Harbaugh can take Michigan from good to great. Who knows if he can truly make the Wolverines elite. But he has put Michigan back where it was before the disasters of Rich Rod and Hoke. And is doing it with the values and standards that Michigan expects.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book caught me up on all the back story of the U of M football program that I never understood, not being a Michigander from birth. Now I sort of get it. And I for sure know more about the core rivalries (State plays dirty and Ohio fans are brutes) than I did before.

But this book is mostly propaganda for Harbaugh and football in general. Bacon never directly addresses the relentless injuries that impact the game and the player's lives. Exemplified by Furbush not achieving his dream of being a Marine pilot because he played through a wrist injury in high school. And the horrifying leg injury sustained by Newsome is all fine because the team took him on as an analyst. Yikes. I predict the future will place American Football players alongside Roman Gladiators: humans sacrificed for entertainment.

[Gary Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A typically well-written John U. Bacon college football book. As a Michigan alum and big Michigan sports fan, I already knew how the 2018 football season turned out for Michigan, but it was great to get the personal insights from not only the coaches, but also many of the players as well as some of the other staff members that contribute their energies to the football program.

It made me feel good, outside of all the ups and downs on the football field, about the type of students/people that are attracted to play and study at the University of Michigan and the values that Jim Harbaugh and the rest of the coaching staff are promulgating to everyone involved in the Michigan football program.

The one thing from the book that stands out the most is that the way the quality of each team is determined - twenty years later when we see what kind of men they have become!

[Chuck Meade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy John Bacon’s writing and the amazing job he did with Three and Out led me to this. I don’t think this book had the same behind-the-scenes feel as his work in the Rich Rod years. It could be that he received more of a pass during that tenure then the Harbaugh era. Still, this work was a great look at the 2018 season while exploring the background of specific players and especially Jim Harbaugh himself. Frankly, if what Bacon reports is true, there is a bleak future for Michigan football. It seems widely known that many college football dynasty’s break rules on a regular basis while the NCAA turns a blind eye. Michigan under Harbaugh’s watch emphasizes academics and integrity over winning. While I’m all for playing by the rules, it doesn’t seem quite fair and it doesn’t look like I’ll have bragging rights over obnoxious Ohio State fans anytime soon.

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. I love this! Michigan football is near and dear to my heart. This book is imperfect, but it doesn't aim to be. Bacon is a homer, but that's why this book is as good as it is. It does try to address a lot of criticisms of football in general, and to some degree it feels like it may fall short. On the other hand, he makes no promises about being anything other than an advocate and a fan, and so I don't think it's a problem so much as something to take in with that in mind and understand that the viewpoint comes with (admitted) bias. Overall, it's nothing incredibly revolutionary, but it's a fun read and - as someone who has grown up a fan of Michigan football - just the right indulgence in the nostalgia I have for the program.

[Tyler Fenwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice reading this book in 2022, four years after the season chronicled. I got to relive some of those high and low moments. The best parts of the book is when John takes you inside a player's life or the inner workings of the football program and athletic department.

I don't know if this makes me a cynic, but the only thing I can't say I enjoyed was when it felt like pages were dedicated to making me believe in the mythic "Michigan Man" or "Michigan Way" of doing business -- like everyone else is cheating and lying, and then there's Michigan, taking God's honest path. I don't have a problem accepting there are levels to cheating in the college game and that some programs may not cheat at all, but it felt too much like a sales pitch.

[claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book -- I always enjoy what John Bacon has to say, but this book was especially meaningful as Michigan football struggles to keep up with other power 5 schools in an age of rampant cheating and dishonesty. Bacon's anecdotes really make you value what it means to be a Michigan Man and all the integrity and weight that comes with that title. A lot of people are down on the program and Harbaugh's tenure in particular, but there seems to be no doubt that Jim 'doesn't have a phony bone in his body' and cares immensely about developing football players into men -- on, but mostly off, the field. How many days until kick off?! GO BLUE!

[Jeff Bracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional job by John U. Bacon. While telling the story of the Michigan football team's 2018 season, Bacon mixes in the personal stories of various players and staff. Each of the personal stories is interesting and provides insight into the lives of players, their families, and the program's staff. In the end, the effect is to demonstrate how a college sports program can be dedicated to the right values for the benefit of its players. In so doing, Bacon also separates the Michigan program from the (way too many) schools who place winning and their programs ahead of their players.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh.....

When John Feinstein first pioneered the "insider" (I devoured Feinstein books when I was a teenager!) book, they often took a critical look at college sports and even at the programs and coaches that they shadowed. Now coaches usually only let friendly reporters into their programs (look at the many many many ACC/Duke books Feinstein produces now) and the reporters essentially churn out something between hagiography and promotional material. It's worth reading I guess if you want a base level of information about how college sports work.... but goodness, I detest hagiography.

[Dan Jankowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading @Johnubacon’s “Overtime.” A great read. Highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for insight into what it takes to build a college program. Learn what’s truly important to the coaches and players. BTW, MSU Coach Dantonio should read page 266.

Just joined Goodreads today (10/13/2019) to post this review. If you haven’t read this book, you’re missing out. Highly recommended.

[Bob Kuster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so much more than a year in the life of the Michigan University football program. This is a tribute to Coach Jim Harbaugh, his brother, his Dad, the Michigan players, the the support team in place for the football program, Bo Schembechler, and most importantly doing things the right way. I wished this book went into overtime because I did not want the book to end. Read this book. You will be moved and inspired.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, John Bacon delivers a great story of not only Jim Harbaugh but the University of Michigan program. It was eye opening to learn about just how many hours go into the football program. The players put in a ton of time, plus have classes to deal with . The coaches, trainers and everyone else associated with the Athletic Dept put in long days as well. It was great to get the inside look at the program.

[John Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and informative look into the U. of Michigan football program, Coach Harbaugh, and the university's philosophy about running its athletic teams. I've read other of Mr. Bacon's books about the U. of Michigan and they are all highly entertaining and informative. Probably would have little appeal for those readers who do not like this university (and they are legion), but with 300,000 alumni worldwide, the author has a large pool of prospective readers.

[Mike Dennisuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is simply the BEST book on college football I have read! This is an inside look at the 2018 season of the Michigan Wolverines. I admit I bleed Blue. If you love college football and all it embodies, you will love this book(unless you are a UM hater, and there are a few). These young men and their coaches deserve your respect! GREAT READ!!

[Sam Audia · Rating 3 out of 5]

On Friday night, August 31, 2018, the University of Michigan football real, ranked 14th in both preseason polls, hunkered down for the night at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana, which offers rooms for as low as $79, often hosts musical acts from Chicago, and presents Bride Blue, “Northwest Indiana’s premier bridal fair.”

[Diego Leal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. I have a new level of respect for the University of Michigan Football program and for Jim Harbaugh.

The author does an amazing job describing in detail the 2017 and 2018 seasons and brings up so many unique stories about what was going on behind the scenes.

If you are a fan of college athletics this book is for you, and if you are a Michigan fan then GO BLUE!

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

John U. Bacon's books are always a good read. This one made me especially proud to be a Michigan fan & alum. Something I realized while reading this book: I can accept that we might never be elite as long as other schools are allowed to cheat. It's more important that we do things the right way.