The Los Angeles Chargers have officially signed Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach, marking his return to the team after playing as quarterback for them in 1999 and 2000. Harbaugh spent the last nine years leading his alma mater, the University of Michigan, as head football coach. He rejoins the Chargers with an impressive resume, including three Big Ten Championships, three consecutive appearances in the College Football Playoff, and a perfect 15-0 record during the 2023 season, in which the Wolverines were crowned National Champions.
“According to Owner and Chairman of the Board Dean Spanos, there is no one more fitting to guide the Chargers to success than the embodiment of football himself, Jim Harbaugh. With a strong coaching background that was instilled by his father, brother, and legendary mentors like Schembechler and Ditka, Harbaugh has a track record of leading countless players to victory over the last 20 years. And now, we are thrilled to have him return to the Chargers as our head coach. It’s hard to argue with the statement – who could possibly have it better than us?”
According to John Spanos, the President of Football Operations, Jim’s impressive resume is not a result of chance or isolated effort. It takes a team to achieve such success, and there is no one better at assembling a team than Jim Harbaugh. His track record speaks for itself, as he has consistently built winning teams in recent years. Even his former players can attest to his greatness, while his opponents can’t help but curse his prowess. There’s no one quite like Jim, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him return to the Chargers organization as our head coach.
“Harbaugh’s arrival brings a proven track record of success, having amassed a stunning 144-52 record as a college head coach and a impressive 49-22-1 record in the NFL. During his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, he propelled them to three consecutive NFC Championship Games and a spot in Super Bowl XLVII, cementing himself as a formidable leader in the world of football.”
Harbaugh has a knack for spotting talent and a talent for nurturing players, as evidenced by his impressive track record at Michigan from 2015 to 2023. During his nine years at the helm, he coached nine players who went on to become first-round draft picks. But his success doesn’t stop there. In just four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (2011-2014), Harbaugh mentored an astounding 17 players who went on to earn a combined total of 30 Pro Bowl selections. That’s the second-highest number of Pro Bowlers in the entire NFL during that time period. And not just any Pro Bowlers, either. Eight of those players were named first-team All-Pro by The Associated Press, including star linebackers Patrick Willis (twice) and NaVorro Bowman (three times). Clearly, Harbaugh has a proven track record of identifying and developing top talent in the football world.
Michigan has a special place in my heart. From my time playing there to now coaching there, my love for this school will always leave a lasting impact on my life. I am a proud and loyal Wolverine through and through. But it’s not just Michigan that holds a special place in my heart. Throughout my coaching career, I have been incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work at places that have deeply personal connections for me. From my earliest days as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky, where I had the privilege of working alongside my father Jack, to my time with the Raiders and my head coaching stints at University of San Diego, Stanford, the 49ers and now Michigan — each of these opportunities held great significance for me. Even my time as a player with the Chargers holds a special place in my heart. The Spanos family welcomed me with open arms and showed me incredible generosity during my time with the team. And now, being back here feels like coming home.
“We need to put in the work and earn our way to the top. This means constantly improving and being better than we were yesterday. My priorities are clear: faith, family, and football. We will tackle each one with an unbeatable enthusiasm. Our organization is fully committed to success – investing resources, developing infrastructure, and giving our all to achieve victory. We firmly believe that great effort leads to great results, and our journey has just begun.”
“Regarded as one of the most accomplished coaches in the world of football, Harbaugh has left an undeniable mark on the University of Michigan’s program, accumulating an impressive record of 86 wins and 25 losses in his nine-season tenure as head coach. Under his guidance, Michigan has achieved the impressive feat of reaching double-digit wins on six occasions, solidifying their dominance with three consecutive appearances in the College Football Playoff from 2021 to 2023. This past season, Harbaugh’s leadership reached its pinnacle as Michigan clinched the national title, capping off a remarkable year with a record-breaking 15 victories. Since taking the reins in 2015, Harbaugh has consistently coached the top-ranked defense in the nation, allowing an average of just 291.0 yards per game. Michigan’s defensive prowess has also been a consistent force throughout Harbaugh’s tenure, placing in the top-five nationally five times, and holding the top spot twice.”
In his first season with the San Francisco 49ers, Jim Harbaugh received the coveted 2011 NFL Coach of the Year award from The Associated Press. And it’s easy to see why – he led the team to a dominant 13-3 record and clinched the NFC West division title. Beyond their impressive record, the defense was a force to be reckoned with, topping the league with an impressive 38 takeaways and claiming the number one spot for rushing defense by restricting opponents to a mere 77.3 yards per game on the ground. It was a remarkable season for the 49ers, who not only made it to the playoffs but also reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time in three consecutive years. The pinnacle of their success came in 2012, when they secured a spot in Super Bowl XLVII. This was just one of the many remarkable achievements during Harbaugh’s four-year tenure with the team. During his time with the 49ers
Harbaugh’s impressive coaching career spans from collegiate to professional levels. Prior to guiding an NFL team, he spent four successful years leading Stanford University (2007-10) and three at the University of San Diego (2004-06). Notably, he transformed Stanford from a struggling 1-11 team in 2006 to a powerhouse, achieving a remarkable 29 wins during his time as head coach in Palo Alto, California. His leadership culminated in an unforgettable 12-win season, climaxed by an Orange Bowl triumph in 2010. It all began with his outstanding tenure with San Diego, where he notched an impressive 29-6 record and made a splash in the head coaching scene.
Harbaugh started his coaching journey as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2002, where he remained until 2003. His debut season with the team was a remarkable one, as the Raiders made it to Super Bowl XXXVII. It was also a triumphant year for quarterback Rich Gannon, who not only received the MVP title, but was also selected for the Pro Bowl and named an AP first-team All-Pro.
During his 15-year tenure as an NFL quarterback, spanning from 1987 to 2001, Jim Harbaugh had the opportunity to showcase his talents for five different teams. Among those teams, Harbaugh had the chance to play for the Chargers from 1999 to 2000. However, his contributions to the world of football were not limited to his time on the field. While still an active player, Harbaugh began his coaching career as an unpaid assistant at Western Kentucky from 1994 to 2001, where his father, Jack Harbaugh, was the head coach. Harbaugh, selected as the 25th overall draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 1987, started 140 out of 177 games, amassing an impressive 26,288 passing yards and 129 touchdowns. In 1995, Harbaugh led the NFL in passer rating, earning him the coveted Comeback Player of the Year award and a spot on the Pro Bowl roster.
During his time at the University of Michigan, Jim Harbaugh dominated as a quarterback, earning him a place among the most proficient passers in college football history. As a starter, he led the Wolverines to an impressive 21-3-1 record, solidifying his spot as a first-team All-American and landing him third place in the 1986 Heisman Trophy voting. In addition, Harbaugh topped the nation in passing efficiency rating in 1985, and his overall career passing efficiency rating held the top spot in NCAA history for over a decade after his time at Michigan.
