John Harbaugh, whose connection to Michigan is well documented, threw his support behind embattled Michigan Wolverines coach Brady Hoke when asked Monday if he would be interested in the job if it were to become open.
"I'm interested in Brady Hoke being the head coach at Michigan for a long time to come," the Baltimore Ravens head coach said.
Harbaugh has been Ravens coach since 2008 and is under contract through the 2017 season. He has led Baltimore to a 74-39 record in seven seasons and a Super Bowl victory two seasons ago.
Harbaugh's ties to Michigan date to his childhood, when his father was an assistant under Bo Schembechler. Harbaugh also graduated from high school in Ann Arbor.
Hoke has come under increasing fire this season. The Wolverines are 2-3 after a 30-14 home loss to Minnesota on Saturday, marking the first time in the program's 135-year history that it has lost three games in September. The crowd at the Big House booed him frequently.
Hoke said after the game that he didn't hear the jeering while on the sideline and that even if he had, it wouldn't have affected him.
"I didn't hear it. When you're in the moment, you really don't," he said. "This is a big-boy business."
Meanwhile, Harbaugh said he does not know why his name is brought up repeatedly in connection with the Michigan job.
"Brady Hoke is a guy we believe in," said Harbaugh, speaking from the Ravens' facility. "The Harbaughs believe in Brady Hoke. He's a great coach. He believes in Michigan. I believe in what they're doing there. I think they're going to turn it around. The team should be galvanized right now. I expect them to come out as wounded lions and go to work because they love Brady."