Blue Blood
An Insider’s Journey Through Michigan Football’s Past, Present, and Perfect Season
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Pub Date Dec 8 2026 | Archive Date Dec 19 2026
Greenleaf Book Group | Greenleaf Book Group Press
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Description
A lifetime of loyalty. A season of destiny.
For Matt Lester, the University of Michigan isn’t just his alma mater—it’s a lifelong North Star. Having grown up cheering the Wolverines alongside his father, Lester later became a prominent benefactor of the university’s athletic and academic programs. When Jim Harbaugh returned to Ann Arbor, Lester found a kindred spirit, becoming a trusted confidante to the head coach and a mentor to scores of Michigan football players. This is a Michigan story unlike any other.
In Blue Blood, Lester provides an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at how Michigan revitalized a storied program and ascended to the pinnacle of college football. He shares previously untold stories of Team 144, from team retreats at his farm on Lake Charlevoix to the strategic conversations that paved the way to the national championship. While most fans never experience the inner workings of the huddle or the sidelines during historic plays, Blue Blood gives you an all-access pass.
Through his unique perspective, Lester explores:
• the Harbaugh leadership philosophy that restored Michigan’s glory;
• the players Matt guided through internships and life beyond the turf; and
• the historic 2023 season, defined by the resilience of a team that refused to break.
Blue Blood is the definitive account of a program that overcame every obstacle to reach the mountaintop. It is a masterclass in building a winning culture, a celebration of unwavering loyalty, and a love letter to the winningest program in college football history.
Advance Praise
“Everyone wants to know what really happens during a championship season, but unless you’re inside, you’re just guessing. Well, Matt Lester did get inside Michigan’s program for the 2023 title run and delivers first-hand scenes, stories, and insights you’ve never heard before. A must-read for any Michigan fan—and really for any fan of college football.”
—John U. Bacon, best-selling author of Overtime: Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines at the Crossroads of College Football and Endzone: The Rise, Fall, and Return of Michigan Football
“To understand the 2023 Michigan Wolverines, you have to look beyond the scoreboard. Matt Lester has been a trusted ally to this team, pouring his heart into the lives of these coaches and players. His account of this perfect season is written with the passion and enthusiasm of a lifelong fan and the wisdom of a true insider.”
—Jack Harbaugh, former Bo Schembechler assistant and father of NFL coaches Jim and John Harbaugh
“We went through battles on the field, but it was the time we spent together off the field that made us unbreakable. Matt Lester gave us the chance to build that brotherhood. Blue Blood is the true story of how we came together to conquer college football.”
—Junior Colson, former Michigan player and current Los Angeles Chargers linebacker
“Matt Lester has written the definitive account of Michigan's historic 2023 National Championship season. From the locker room speeches to the strategic maneuvers that defined Jim Harbaugh's final year in Ann Arbor, Blue Blood is the ultimate insider's guide to Team 144.”
—Adam Shefter, ESPN’s Senior NFL Insider
“Matt has a sharp football mind and an unmatched love for the University of Michigan. He had a front-row seat to the cultural and defensive evolution that culminated in the 2023 national title. If you want to know how championship football is really built, Blue Blood is as authentic as it gets.”
—Mike MacDonald, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, 2026 Super Bowl champions
Marketing Plan
National trade marketing and sales campaign
Targeted podcast media campaign and interviews
Advance distribution of digital review copies via NetGalley to reviewers, bloggers, journalists, librarians, booksellers, and media
Online marketing campaign including targeted advertising and advance giveaways
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9798886455687 |
| PRICE | $35.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 408 |