It's a good time to be a Michigan fan.

49ers Coach Returns to Alma Mater

Contrary to a doubting chorus of pundits and prognosticators, interim AD Jim Hackett and the rest of the Wolverines program went out and got their man, Jim Harbaugh. His introductory press conference was such a lovefest that an on-looker could've mistaken it for a coronation. Practically overnight, the college football world is proclaiming Michigan is back.

However, neither Harbaugh nor the rest of the maize and blue faithful can rest on their laurels. There's still a lot of work to be done before the Wolverines are ready to resume their place at the top the college football landscape. Heck, it will be a tough task just to reassert their dominance in the Big Ten alone -- let us not forget it's the Wolverines' arch rival Ohio State Buckeyes that are playing for a national title on Monday under their own superstar coach, Urban Meyer.

Golfer Predicted Harbaugh to Michigan 7 Months Ago

Harbaugh's first order of business will be to meet with his new players and outline their winter conditioning requirements. He'll accomplish this on Wednesday, according to MLive.com.

Harbaugh will also have to fill out a staff, starting with coordinators for both sides of the ball. Doug Nussmeier, who was UM's OC under ex-coach Brady Hoke, left the program to join Jim McElwain's squad at Florida. Hoke's defensive coordinator, Greg Mattison, is expected to remain on Harbaugh's staff in some capacity, but The Detroit News reported that he may be demoted from that position in favor of DJ Durkin, a rising coaching star who learned under Harbaugh at Stanford.

Lastly, Harbaugh is going to have to play catch-up on the recruiting trail. The official signing period begins on February 4, less than a month away.