The Los Angeles Chargers and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh have finalized a deal for Harbaugh to be the team’s head coach. Harbaugh talked with the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos in the last two offseasons about their head coaching jobs. He met with the Atlanta Falcons about their opening, and their second meeting scheduled for this week was canceled.
Harbaugh played the final two seasons of his 14-year NFL career with the Chargers in 1999 and 2000. He was 44-19-1 in four seasons as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. Harbaugh led the 49ers to three NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl appearance.
Los Angeles Chargers Fans Excited About Jim Harbaugh
Actor and television host Mario Lopez posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): “We got our man… LETS GO!!!!”
Another Chargers fan posted: “THIS IS NOT A DRILL… JIM HARBAUGH IS COMING TO SAVE US!!”
🤝 🤪🥳 It is done!!!#boltup #Chargers + #Harbaugh#nfl #football #SuperBowl #BeforeIDie @chargers #superfan #MerrianneDo https://t.co/IT3I53uEJQ pic.twitter.com/frkkGkw3aE
— Merrianne Do (@MerrianneDo) January 24, 2024
Another Harbaugh Bowl Next Season
Shortly after the news broke, the Chargers posted on social media a phrase Jim credits to his father, Jack Harbaugh.
WHO’S GOT IT BETTER THAN US??
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 25, 2024
When Harbaugh coached the 49ers, he faced his brother John’s Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, where John’s Ravens defeated Jim’s 49ers. Jim won a College Football Playoff National Championship earlier this month with Michigan, and John is two wins away from winning his second Super Bowl championship. Now, there will be another Harbaugh Bowl next season.
The Harbaugh brothers are both (reportedly) back in the NFL, this time in the same conference.
John’s Ravens will play at Jim’s Chargers at SoFi Stadium next season. pic.twitter.com/Un5ZtOgfnL
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) January 25, 2024
Harbaugh Coaching Justin Herbert
There is also a lot of discussion about what Justin Herbert could do with Jim Harbaugh as his head coach. Herbert, whom the Chargers selected sixth in the 2020 NFL Draft, has made one Pro Bowl and played in one playoff game in four seasons. Harbaugh will be Herbert’s third head coach in his short NFL career.
KTLA’s Krystle Rich-Bell posted, “No one should be happier than Justin Herbert!”
ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III said, “With Jim Harbaugh as their Head Coach, The @chargers will FINALLY get the most out of Justin Herbert and be a legit Super Bowl contender in a few years.”
FOX Sports analyst Emmanuel Acho highlighted Harbaugh’s past success with quarterbacks in the NFL and college.
Jim Harbaugh will make Justin Herbert what he hasn’t been, a winner.
Alex Smith
Colin Kaepernick
Andrew Luck
J.J McCarthy
——My full Jim Harbaugh thoughts:🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/a9zgqd0Sc6
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 24, 2024
Leaving Michigan as a National Champion
Harbaugh spent nine seasons coaching his alma mater and led Michigan to an 89-25 record, three Big Ten titles, three College Football Playoff appearances, and one national title. He also served two three-game suspensions during the 2023 season.
MORE: Grading the Hire — Chargers Bring Jim Harbaugh Back to the NFL
Michigan alum and NFL Network’s Rich Eisen responded to the reports of Harbaugh’s hiring.
I am aware of the news regarding Jim Harbaugh leaving @UMichFootball for @chargers and will address it in full on Thursday’s @RichEisenShow
No further questions at this time. https://t.co/LxfWzalU1Z
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 25, 2024
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