Jim Harbaugh had flirted with the National Football League for the past few years and on Wednesday evening, he finally made it the switch official. He accepted the head-coaching position with the L.A. Chargers, jumping back from the college to the NFL. Michigan head basketball coach Juwan Howard tweeted a brief message of congratulations on Wednesday night shortly after the news was announced.
Fresh off a national championship with the Wolverines, Harbaugh has finally made the anticipated jump back to the NFL. He will now work with what is thought to be one of the league’s best rosters, headlined by quarterback Justin Herbert.
Harbaugh was the first candidate to get a second interview with the Chargers during their search. He also had multiple interviews with the Atlanta Falcons before making the jump to Los Angeles.
Harbaugh is also back on the West Coast, previously having NFL head-coaching experience with the San Francisco 49ers. Over four years, the Niners went 44-19 while making three NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl appearance.
With the Chargers continually failing to make progress in the playoffs, they will be hoping Harbaugh can take them over the top. Los Angeles’ last playoff win came back in 2018, making just two victories in the last 14 seasons.
There have been countless months of speculation surrounding Harbaugh returning to the NFL, even as Michigan finally found on-field success. He interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings on National Signing Day in 2022, raising eyebrows.
Los Angeles is fresh off a 5-12 season, finishing last in the AFC West. They own the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, allowing Harbaugh to add another talented player to the roster. And after spending the past nine seasons in college football, he should have a good idea of who is worthy of the high selection.
Jim Harbaugh leaves Michigan fresh off national championship win
Michigan had a roller coaster of a season, dealing with plenty of issues off the field. The sign-stealing scandal is still prevalent in Ann Arbor, with Harbaugh serving a three-game suspension to close out the regular season. He was also suspended for the opening three games of the year due to recruiting violations.
On the field, things could have not gone any better for Michigan. Another win against Ohio State propelled them into a third College Football Playoff in as many years. Taking down Alabama in the Rose Bowl led to beating Washington in Houston for the program’s first national championship since 1997.
Harbaugh will be a Michigan legend for the rest of time, bringing the Wolverines back to the top of the college football world. His pursuit to add a Super Bowl to the resume is on though, hoping to give the Chargers their first in franchise history.
On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this article.
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