Why Jim Harbaugh deserves more Coach of the Year consideration

In an NFL season that has seen more than its fair share of high-profile injuries, perhaps no team has been hit harder than the Los Angeles Chargers. 

The team has played most of the season without both of its superstar tackles, with Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater going down with a torn patella in training camp and former fifth-overall pick Joe Alt suffering a season-ending torn ankle. The carousel at tackle has resulted in quarterback Justin Herbert getting hit more than any other quarterback and limiting a running game that has seen both free-agent acquisition Najee Harris and first-round pick Omarion Hampton miss significant time. 

Despite all of this, a hard-fought 16-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday puts the Chargers at 10-4 and gives them a fighting chance at chasing down the Denver Broncos. The fact that the Chargers haven’t succumbed to the avalanche of injuries is a credit to Herbert and, most importantly, the brilliance of head coach Jim Harbaugh. 

Breaking down Jim Harbaugh's incredible coaching performance 

After two straight successful regular seasons, it’s easy to forget how dysfunctional the Chargers were when Harbaugh took over for Brandon Staley after the 2023 season. Their 5-12 record was their worst mark since 2015, while their woeful defense ranked in the bottom third of the league in points allowed for the fourth consecutive season and gave up the league’s fifth-highest yard total. 

Given the complete mess he inherited and the strength of both the Broncos and Chiefs in the division, it would have been justifiable for Harbaugh to need a few years to get the Chargers back to contention. In just his first year, however, Harbaugh transformed the Chargers' defense into the league’s best scoring unit in 2024 and turned Herbert into one of the league's most efficient quarterbacks. 

While this year’s team hasn’t been as consistent as last year’s squad, particularly in blowout losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders, they have made up for it with their resiliency and resourcefulness. The defense has allowed the league's second-fewest total yards and fewest total passing touchdowns despite a largely unremarkable cast of characters outside of safety Derwin James. 

The offense, meanwhile, has been powered by four different pass-catchers with at least 500 receiving yards, while Herbert has had to scramble more than ever before due to the Chargers' woeful pass protection. In the last week alone, the Chargers have beaten both of the teams in last year’s Super Bowl despite just 349 combined passing yards from Herbert and an offensive line that gave up 11 sacks.