Michigan Wolverines football facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michigan Wolverines football
2024 Michigan Wolverines football team
First season	1879; 146 years ago
Athletic director	Warde Manuel
Head coach	Sherrone Moore 1st season, 7–5 (.583)
Stadium	Michigan Stadium (capacity: 107,601)
Year built	1927
Location	Ann Arbor, Michigan
NCAA division	Division I FBS
Conference	Big Ten Conference
All-time record	1010–358–36 (.732)
Bowl record	23–29 (.442)
Playoff appearances	3 (2021, 2022, 2023)
Playoff record	2–2
Claimed national titles	12 (1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997, 2023)
Unclaimed national titles	7 (1910, 1925, 1926, 1964, 1973, 1976, 1985)
National finalist	1 (2023)
Conference titles	45
Division titles	4 (2018, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Rivalries	Ohio State (rivalry) Michigan State (rivalry) Notre Dame (rivalry) Minnesota (rivalry) Northwestern (rivalry) Penn State (rivalry)
Heisman winners	Tom Harmon – 1940 Desmond Howard – 1991 Charles Woodson – 1997
Consensus All-Americans	88
Current uniform
Colors	Maize and Blue
Fight song	"The Victors"
Marching band	Michigan Marching Band
Outfitter	Jordan Brand

The Michigan Wolverines football team plays for the University of Michigan in college football. They compete at the highest level, called the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Michigan holds the record for the most wins in college football history!

The team is famous for its special winged helmets and its exciting fight song. They also set records for how many fans come to watch their games at Michigan Stadium. Michigan has many rivalries, especially their yearly game against Ohio State, known as "The Game." This rivalry was even voted ESPN's best sports rivalry!

Michigan started playing football in 1879. They joined the Big Ten Conference when it began in 1896. Except for a break from 1907 to 1916, they have been members ever since. The Wolverines have won or shared 45 Big Ten titles. Since the AP Poll started in 1936, they have finished in the top 10 teams 39 times. Michigan claims 12 national championships. This includes three from major polls: 1948, 1997, and 2023.

From 1900 to 1989, nine head coaches led Michigan. Each of them is now in the College Football Hall of Fame. Fielding H. Yost coached from 1901 and led his "Point-a-Minute" teams to an amazing 56 games without a loss. This streak lasted until 1905 and included a win in the 1902 Rose Bowl, the first college football bowl game ever. Fritz Crisler brought his famous winged helmet from Princeton University in 1938. He led the 1947 team to a national title and Michigan's second Rose Bowl win. Bo Schembechler coached for 21 seasons (1969–1989). He won 13 Big Ten titles and 194 games, which is a team record. His early years were known for a big rivalry with his former mentor, Woody Hayes, whose Ohio State Buckeyes played Michigan in what was called "The Ten Year War".

After Schembechler retired, two of his former assistants, Gary Moeller and then Lloyd Carr, coached the team. They kept the program successful for 18 years, with Carr winning a national championship in 1997. However, the team struggled under the next two coaches, Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke, who were both fired. Michigan then hired Jim Harbaugh in 2014. Harbaugh used to be a quarterback for Michigan from 1982 to 1986 under Schembechler. He led the Wolverines to three Big Ten titles and three College Football Playoff appearances from 2021 to 2023. His last team, the 2023 Michigan Wolverines, won the program's first national championship since 1997. They beat Washington in the 2024 National Championship Game. After this win, Harbaugh left Michigan to coach in the National Football League (NFL). Now, Sherrone Moore is the head coach. He was on Harbaugh's staff since 2018 and was an offensive coordinator since 2021. He even coached four games as acting head coach during the 2023 championship season, winning all of them.

The Michigan Wolverines have had 88 players chosen for the College Football All-America Team. Three Wolverines have won the Heisman Trophy, given to the best college football player: Tom Harmon in 1940, Desmond Howard in 1991, and Charles Woodson in 1997. Gerald Ford, who later became the 38th president of the United States, played center for Michigan. His teammates voted him the most valuable player on the 1934 team.

Michigan Football History

Early Years: Starting the Tradition (1879–1900)

The first Michigan team in 1879.

Michigan played its very first college football game on May 30, 1879. They played against Racine College in Chicago. People called it the "first rugby-football game played west of the Alleghenies." In 1881, Michigan played Harvard in Boston, which was a big step for football across different regions.

In 1887, Michigan players stopped in South Bend, Indiana and taught football to students at the University of Notre Dame. This started the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program and the Michigan–Notre Dame rivalry. In 1894, Michigan beat Cornell. This was the first time a team from the "west" beat a strong team from the "east."

The 1898 Michigan Wolverines, who won the team's first conference title.

In 1896, the Western Conference was formed, which later became the Big Ten Conference. Michigan was one of the founding members. In 1898, Michigan won its first conference championship by beating the Chicago Maroons 12–11. This exciting win inspired the school's fight song, "The Victors".

The Yost Era: "Point-a-Minute" Teams (1901–1928)

Fielding Yost in 1902.

After the 1900 season, Charles A. Baird, Michigan's first athletic director, hired Fielding H. Yost as head coach. Yost's teams were so good, they were called the "Point-a-Minute" squads. In 1901, Michigan outscored its opponents 550 to 0! They won the first-ever 1902 Rose Bowl game, beating Stanford 49–0.

From 1901 to 1904, Michigan did not lose a single game. This amazing 56-game unbeaten streak ended in 1905 when they lost to the Chicago Maroons. In 1903, Michigan played Minnesota for the first time, starting the rivalry for the Little Brown Jug. This is the oldest rivalry trophy in college football.

Michigan left the Big Ten for a few years (1907–1916) but rejoined in 1917. Yost's teams continued to be strong. In 1922, Michigan spoiled the "Dedication Day" for Ohio Stadium by beating Ohio State 19–0. Legend says the rotunda at Ohio Stadium has maize (yellow) flowers on a blue background because of this game.

Two famous players from this era were Benny Friedman and Bennie Oosterbaan. They were known for their "Benny-to-Bennie" passing plays, which helped make passing the ball more popular. Yost stepped down as coach in 1926 to focus on being Michigan's athletic director. He oversaw the building of Michigan Stadium, which opened in 1927 with a capacity of 72,000 fans.

The Kipke Years: National Champions (1929–1937)

Future U.S. president Gerald Ford playing for the Wolverines in 1933.

In 1929, Harry Kipke, a former Michigan player, became head coach. From 1930 to 1933, Kipke's teams were very successful. They won the Big Ten title every year and claimed national championships in 1932 and 1933. During this time, his teams only lost one game.

A notable player was Harry Newman, a quarterback who won several awards in 1932. After 1933, the teams struggled. The 1934 team won only one game. This season included a controversial game against Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech refused to play if Willis Ward, an African-American player for Michigan, was on the field. Michigan agreed, which reportedly made Michigan player Gerald Ford consider quitting the team.

The Crisler Years: The Winged Helmet (1938–1947)

Fritz Crisler in 1948.

In 1938, Michigan hired Fritz Crisler as head coach. Crisler brought the famous winged football helmet to Michigan. He said it helped his players see receivers better on the field. This helmet has become a symbol of Michigan football.

In 1940, Tom Harmon led the Wolverines to a great season and won the Heisman Trophy. In 1943, Michigan played a big game against No. 1 Notre Dame, but lost. However, Michigan won Crisler's first Big Ten championship that year.

Crisler made a big change in football in 1945. He divided his team into "offensive" and "defensive" groups. This is called "two-platoon football," and it changed how the game was played forever. Crisler's team, nicknamed the "Mad Magicians," won a conference championship and a national title in 1947. They finished the season with a huge 49–0 win over USC in the 1948 Rose Bowl.

The Oosterbaan Years: Continuing Success (1948–1958)

Bennie Oosterbaan

After Crisler, Bennie Oosterbaan took over as head coach. He had been a famous player for Michigan years before. In 1948, Oosterbaan's team went undefeated and won another national championship. They also won conference titles from 1948 to 1950.

The 1950 season ended with a famous game against Ohio State called the "Snow Bowl." It was played in a blizzard, and Michigan won 9–3. After 1950, the team's success slowed down. Oosterbaan stepped down after the 1958 season.

The Elliott Years: A Rose Bowl Win (1959–1968)

Bump Elliott, a former Michigan player, became the next coach. Michigan's only Big Ten title under Elliott came in 1964. That season included a win over Oregon State in the 1965 Rose Bowl. Elliott resigned after the 1968 season.

The Schembechler Era: "The Ten Year War" (1969–1989)

Bo Schembechler in 1975.

Bo Schembechler became Michigan's head coach in 1969. His first team surprised everyone by beating Ohio State, who were ranked No. 1. This started "The Ten Year War" between Schembechler and Ohio State coach Woody Hayes. For ten years, either Michigan or Ohio State won the Big Ten title every season.

Rick Leach, Michigan quarterback from 1975 to 1978.

In 1971, Schembechler led Michigan to an undefeated regular season. In 1973, Michigan tied Ohio State, but a controversial vote sent Ohio State to the Rose Bowl instead of Michigan. In 1975, Michigan started a record streak of games with over 100,000 fans in attendance.

After "The Ten Year War" ended in 1978, Michigan's bowl game performance improved. In 1980, Michigan got its first Rose Bowl win under Schembechler, beating Washington. Quarterback Jim Harbaugh led the Wolverines in 1985 to a 10–1–1 record and a win over Tom Osborne's Nebraska in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl. Schembechler retired after the 1989 season. He had a record of 194 wins and 13 Big Ten championships.

The Moeller Years: Heisman Winner (1990–1994)

Coach Moeller

Gary Moeller took over as head coach in 1990. He led Michigan to three Big Ten championships in a row (1990-1992). In 1991, wide receiver Desmond Howard had an amazing season and won the Heisman Trophy. The 1992 team, led by quarterback Elvis Grbac, went undefeated and won the 1993 Rose Bowl. Moeller left Michigan after the 1994 season.

The Carr Years: National Championship (1995–2007)

Lloyd Carr, a longtime assistant, became head coach in 1995. In 1997, Carr's team went undefeated and won Michigan's first national championship since 1948. This team was led by cornerback and punt returner Charles Woodson, who won the Heisman Trophy that year.

With future NFL star Tom Brady as quarterback, Michigan won the Big Ten again in 1998. The rivalry with Ohio State became even more intense when Jim Tressel became Ohio State's coach in 2001. In 2003, Michigan, led by quarterback John Navarre and running back Chris Perry, won the Big Ten and played in the 2004 Rose Bowl.

The 2006 Michigan Wolverines huddle.

In 2006, Michigan started 11–0 and was ranked No. 2. They played No. 1 Ohio State in a game called the "Game of the Century." Ohio State won a close game 42–39. The day before the game, legendary coach Bo Schembechler passed away.

In 2007, Michigan had high hopes but lost their first game to Appalachian State, a team from a lower division. This was a big upset. After the season, Lloyd Carr announced his retirement. In his final game, Michigan beat defending national champion Florida, led by Heisman winner Tim Tebow. Carr finished with 122 wins, five Big Ten championships, and one national championship.

The Rodriguez and Hoke Years (2008–2014)

Rich Rodriguez in 2008.

After Carr, Michigan hired Rich Rodriguez. He brought a new "spread offense" style of play. Many players left the team, and Michigan struggled, finishing 3–9 in 2008. This was their first losing season since 1967. Rodriguez was fired after the 2010 season, having not beaten Michigan State or Ohio State.

Coach Hoke

Brady Hoke became head coach in 2011. In his first season, Michigan won 11 games, including their first win over Ohio State in eight years. They also won the 2012 Sugar Bowl. In 2012, Michigan became the first college football program to reach 900 wins. Hoke was fired after the 2014 season.

The Harbaugh Years: Back to the Top (2015–2023)

Coach Harbaugh

On December 30, 2014, Michigan hired Jim Harbaugh as head coach. Harbaugh was a former Michigan quarterback and had coached in the NFL. In his first season, Michigan went 10–3 and won the Citrus Bowl.

In 2016, the Wolverines started 9–0 and reached No. 2 in the rankings. They lost to Ohio State in a close game. The team continued to have strong seasons, often winning 10 games. In 2018, they had a "revenge tour" season, beating teams that had defeated them the year before. However, they lost to Ohio State again.

The 2020 season was affected by COVID-19. Michigan had a tough year, losing many games and not playing in a bowl game. However, in 2021, the Wolverines bounced back. They beat Ohio State for the first time since 2011 and won their first Big Ten Championship since 2003. They made it to the College Football Playoff semifinals but lost to Georgia.

In 2022, Michigan had an amazing 13–0 regular season. They beat Ohio State in Columbus for the first time since 2000 and won their second straight Big Ten Championship. They returned to the College Football Playoff but lost a close game to TCU.

In 2023, the team faced some challenges, including a suspension for Coach Harbaugh. Despite this, the Wolverines kept winning. They achieved their 1,000th win against Maryland, a historic milestone. They also beat Ohio State for the third year in a row and won the Big Ten Championship again. Michigan was ranked No. 1 and entered the College Football Playoff. They beat Alabama in the 2024 Rose Bowl and then defeated Washington in the National Championship Game! This gave Michigan its first undisputed national championship since 1948. After the championship, Harbaugh left to coach in the NFL.

New Leadership: Sherrone Moore (2024)

Moore in 2021

On January 26, 2024, Sherrone Moore was named Michigan's new head coach. He is the first African American to hold this position for the Michigan football team on a permanent basis.

Where Michigan Plays: Stadiums Through the Years

Early Fields (1883–1905)

In the early days, Michigan played smaller games at the Washtenaw County Fairgrounds. Bigger games were held in Detroit. In 1893, Michigan started playing at Regents Field, which could hold over 15,000 fans.

Regents Field before a game in 1904.

Ferry Field (1906–1926)

By 1902, Regents Field was too small. Thanks to donations, Ferry Field was built and opened in 1906. It could hold 18,000 fans, and later expanded to 42,000. But even that wasn't enough for the growing crowds.

Michigan Stadium: The Big House (1927–Present)

Michigan Stadium on September 17, 2011.

Athletic director Fielding H. Yost wanted a much bigger stadium. Michigan Stadium opened in 1927 with a capacity of 72,000. It was designed to be expanded even further. The stadium was officially opened during a game against Ohio State, with over 84,000 fans attending.

Over the years, Michigan Stadium grew. In 1955, it reached over 100,000 seats. It briefly lost the title of "largest stadium" but got it back in 1998 with an expansion to 107,501 seats. In 2011, lights were added, allowing Michigan to play its first night game at home. The stadium continues to be updated, with new screens and lights added for the 2023–2024 season.

Big Rivalries

Ohio State Buckeyes

The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State started in 1897. It became super intense during "The Ten Year War" between coaches Woody Hayes (Ohio State) and Bo Schembechler (Michigan). Both teams have won many national and conference titles. Michigan currently leads the series 61–51–6 through the 2023 season.

Michigan State Spartans

Michigan and Michigan State first played in 1898. Since 1953, they play for the Paul Bunyan – Governor of Michigan Trophy. The winner keeps the trophy until the next year's game. Michigan leads the trophy series 41–28–2 and holds the trophy after a 2024 win. Michigan leads the overall series 74–38–5.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Michigan plays Minnesota for the Little Brown Jug trophy. This is the oldest rivalry trophy in college football. Michigan leads the overall series 77–25–3 through the 2023 season.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Michigan and Notre Dame started playing each other in 1887. Both programs have won many national championships. Michigan leads the series 25–17–1 through the 2019 season.

Northwestern Wildcats

Michigan and Northwestern first played in 1892. In 2021, they created the George Jewett Trophy for their games. This trophy honors George Jewett, the first African-American player in Big Ten Conference history, who played for both schools. Michigan leads the series 60–15–2 through the 2021 season.

Championship Wins

National Championships

Michigan has been chosen as national champions 19 times by major selectors. They claim 12 of these championships, including 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997, and 2023.

Conference Championships

Michigan has won 45 conference championships.

† Co-champions

Division Championships

Michigan has won four Big Ten East division titles.

† Co-champions

Team Records and Achievements

• Most wins in college football history (1,010).
• Most winning seasons of any program (122).
• Most undefeated seasons of any program in Division I FBS (24).
• Most appearances in the final AP Poll (62).
• More Big Ten conference titles (45) than any other team in the conference.
• First team in college or professional football to win 1,000 games (on November 18, 2023).

Bowl Game History

Michigan has played in 52 bowl games, winning 23 and losing 29. Before 2008, Michigan had played in a bowl game for 33 years in a row!

Michigan defeated Stanford 49–0 in the first ever Rose Bowl on January 1, 1902.

† New Year's Six bowl game

Individual Awards and Honors

Heisman Trophy Voting

The Heisman Trophy is given to the most outstanding college football player. Three Michigan players have won this award:

• 1940: Tom Harmon, 1st
• 1991: Desmond Howard, 1st
• 1997: Charles Woodson, 1st

Many other Michigan players have also been top contenders for the Heisman Trophy.

Retired Numbers: Michigan Football Legends

The following jersey numbers are retired by the program, meaning no other player will wear them.

From left to right: Francis Wistert, Gerald Ford, and Tom Harmon, some of the players who have had their numbers retired by Michigan.

Images for kids

• 

  Michigan Wolverines football uniforms.