Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by BVN
Jon D. Gaede | BVN Sports
The hiring of Jim Harbaugh to re-tool and lead the Los Angeles Charger football team by Dean Spanos, may be the most assertive head coach move in the history of the organization.
Fresh off this year’s national championship win as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines (2015-2024), Jim Harbaugh says he is ready for the next challenge by returning to professional football. He will return to the league in which he has experienced significant past success, the NFL. The Los Angeles media recently gathered at SoFi Stadium to embrace the Harbaugh era.
The Harbaugh clan reminds us of a military family as young Jim and his siblings experienced several life challenges with every new coaching job father Jack Harbaugh took. As Jack accepted coaching positions in Ohio, Kentucky, Iowa, Michigan and California, the family had to adapt to sudden change and the challenges new environments bring.
“Faith, Family and Football”
Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh has been a winner throughout his career as a player and coach. He was the quarterback at Michigan (1882-86), selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round (1887) followed by a 14-year career in the NFL to include a stint with the San Diego Chargers (1999-2000).
After a brief role as an assistant coach for his father Jack at Kentucky, Harbaugh gives praise to former Raiders owner Al Davis, who recognized he may be pretty good as the Oakland Raiders quarterbacks’ coach (2002-2004). Then it was back to college coaching at the University of San Diego (2005-2006), and was later hired by Stanford (2007-2011) leading the Cardinal team to two bowl games, including the Orange Bowl.
The San Francisco Forty-Niners came calling next, hiring Harbaugh to remedy eight straight years of missing the playoffs. Harbaugh experienced instant success by reaching the NFC Championship game in each of his first three years, including the Super Bowl against his brother in 2012. Over the years, he successfully added to a glistening resume, changed the culture and won at every level.
Harbough is a reflection of the optimism, success and body of work the Spanos family has been looking for.
When team owner Dean Spanos told Harbaugh over the phone that he might be bringing a rain storm with him to the press conference at SoFi Stadium, Harbaugh responded, “We are the storm”. Certainly a reflection of the optimism and body of work that the Spanos family has been looking for. When asked how he will approach the necessary changes to make the Chargers a winner, Harbaugh said, “Good old fashion effort and teamwork,” a collaborative effort, “Work together, win together”