The school announced Tuesday it had hired the former Michigan star quarterback, just two days after he left his job at coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Harbaugh called it the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

Michigan has fallen to almost unthinkable depths in recent years. Brady Hoke’s uninspiring tenure followed three tumultuous seasons under Rich Rodriguez, and the only thing those two seemed to have in common was their mediocre performance. This past season was the third time in seven years Michigan finished with a losing record and the Wolverines failed to reach a bowl.

The program has not won the Big Ten since 2004.