Jim Harbaugh to ask Obamas to serve as honorary captains

— -- Michigan Wolverines football coach Jim Harbaugh spent some time with former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama earlier this week. He hopes to be getting more face time with them this fall.

Harbaugh said he will ask the Obamas to serve as honorary captains for a Wolverines home game this season.

"We're making those asks. Official asks," Harbaugh told reporters Saturday. "In the process of making an official ask. There's been, 'Hey, we'd like you to do it,' and now we're doing official asks."

Harbaugh said he spent "39 wonderful minutes" with the former president Wednesday during a visit to Washington, D.C.

Harbaugh's son Jay, who is the Wolverines' running backs coach, posted a picture of the visit on Instagram.

"It was incredible," Jim Harbaugh said. "Saw Mrs. Obama as well. He was great. He was really relaxed, working on a lot of things. ... Shared a lot of insights."

Harbaugh also visited with Bob Dole, the former Kansas senator, on his trip.

Harbaugh already announced earlier this year that recording artist Usher will serve as an honorary captain this season. Other stars to have accepted Harbaugh's invite in the past include New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and NBA legend Michael Jordan.

Harbaugh's Wolverines aren't just keeping their interest domestic; the team has planned another trip abroad for next offseason.

He told reporters Saturday that the team voted to go to London; Paris; and Normandy, France, in 2018. The planned excursion follows this year's trip to Rome.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.