Fresh off a national championship season at his alma mater, Michigan, Jim Harbaugh was introduced to the media as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. He spoke glowingly about the team’s future and set lofty goals for the franchise moving forward.
Jim Harbaugh Sets High Expectations for Chargers
Addressing members of the local media Thursday afternoon in his opening press conference, Harbaugh — back in the NFL for the first time since his tenure as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers — expressed his vision for his new team.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh on expectations: "We're in one of the great cities there is. One thing I know is Los Angeles respects talent, effort, and winning. And it needs to be multiple. Multiple championships. We're gonna be humble, hungry. But that's our goal."
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) February 1, 2024
If the Chargers want to become a perennial Super Bowl contender, they’ll have to come up with a plan to slow down Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and the Kansas City Chiefs, who are gearing up for their fourth Super Bowl appearance in the last six seasons on Feb. 11.
One major draw for Harbaugh in taking the Chargers’ job was the presence of quarterback Justin Herbert, who he showered with praise on Thursday.
"He's a crown jewel in the National Football League."
– Jim Harbaugh on his QB Justin Herbert. pic.twitter.com/o0kAPlWt0l
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 1, 2024
Herbert has ascended to become one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, but the team has had limited success in his four years in Los Angeles.
In his short career, the Chargers only have one playoff appearance, in which they blew a 27-point lead in the Wild Card round to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In 2023, Herbert’s season was cut short after he broke the index finger on his throwing hand in Week 14 against the Denver Broncos. With Herbert sidelined for the remainder of the season, the Chargers went 0-4 the rest of the way.
In Herbert, however, Harbaugh has a young franchise QB in place, as well as a roster filled with talented players such as wide receiver Keenan Allen, offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, and safety Derwin James.
Harbaugh believes Los Angeles has the roster to compete for a championship, but was quick to admit it’s going to take hard work, effort, and the will to develop the players.
Success in the NFL is not something new for Harbaugh. In four seasons as head coach of the 49ers, Harbaugh had a 44-19 record, made the NFC Championship three times, and led them to the Super Bowl, which they lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Chargers have never won a Super Bowl in franchise history, and if Harbaugh were to bring them a Lombardi Trophy, it would further cement his legacy as one of the best coaches of his era.
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If Harbaugh can meet the high expectations he set for himself and the franchise, then he will go down as one of the all-time greats.
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