Michigan's Jim Harbaugh is AP coach of the year, Fickell 2nd

Michigan's Jim Harbaugh is The Associated Press college football coach of the year after leading the Wolverines to their first Big Ten title in 17 years and

"It’s a tremendous reflection on the entire staff, players," Harbaugh told the AP. "Everybody shares in it. A rising tide lifts all ships."

He received 22 of 53 first-place votes and 103 points from a panel of AP Top 25 voters to finish ahead of Cincinnati's Luke Fickell, who had 16 first-place votes and 88 points.

Baylor's Dave Aranda was third and Michigan State's Mel Tucker was fourth. Georgia's Kirby Smart was fifth with a first-place vote and Utah State's Blake Anderson was sixth, receiving three first-place votes.

Alabama's Nick Saban and Wake Forest's Dave Clawson also received first-place votes.

Michigan is the first school to sweep the AP coach of the year in football and men's basketball in the same calendar year since the football award was established in 1998. Juwan Howard won coach of the year in men's basketball for the 2020-21 season.

Harbaugh came into his seventh season as coach of his alma mater on a hot seat after going 2-4 in the Big Ten's abbreviated schedule in 2020. After his first losing season with Michigan, Harbaugh

Harbaugh also made staff changes on the defensive side of the ball in the offseason.

Everything came together for the Wolverines this season.

While Harbaugh has chosen not to gloat about Michigan's turnaround, when there were plenty of skeptics,

"He's always been a great coach," Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters. "And all those that want to pile on, especially some of the local media there, there you have it. Back in your face. That's how I look at it. He'd never say that, but I'll say it."

"I love this team. I love this ’21 team," Harbaugh said. "They’ve got a bounce in their step every day. They’ve got a smile on their face. They’ve worked incredibly hard."

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AP Coach of the Year

Jim Harbaugh, Michigan — 103 points (22 first-place votes).

Luke Fickell, Cincinnati — 88 (16).

Dave Aranda, Baylor —47 (5).

Mel Tucker, Michigan State — 22 (4).

Kirby Smart, Georgia — 13 (1).

Blake Anderson, Utah State — 11 (3).

Nick Saban, Alabama — 9 (1).

Dave Clawson, Wake Forest — 6 (1).

Jeff Traylor, UTSA — 6.

Pat Narduzzi, Pitt — 4.

Kyle Whittingham, Utah — 4.

Sam Pittman, Arkansas — 2.

Mike Houston, East Carolina — 1.

Billy Napier, Louisiana — 1.

Kalani Sitake, BYU — 1.

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AP Sports Writer Noah Trister contributed to this report.

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Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com

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