Featured Columnist IVJanuary 31, 2024
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The Los Angeles Chargers reportedly lavished Jim Harbaugh with a five-year, $80 million contract to lure him from the University of Michigan.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported terms of the contract, which was signed earlier this month. Harbaugh was the crowned jewel of this coaching cycle and found a motivated buyer in the Chargers, who were desperate to make a mark in the Los Angeles market.
The Chargers fired Brandon Staley after an embarrassing Week 15 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and finished a disappointing 5-12 this season. They’ll pick fifth in the 2024 NFL draft, giving Harbaugh a chance to make his mark on the franchise with a high selection.
The Chargers job was coveted in large part due to the presence of Justin Herbert, a bonafide franchise quarterback who has been underserved to this point in his NFL career. Herbert will be playing in his fourth offensive system in five seasons and is in desperate need of stability.
Harbaugh should bring just that given his record of coaching success everywhere he’s been. The 60-year-old compiled a 144-52 record over his college coaching career at San Diego, Stanford and Michigan and was 44-19-1 in four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
It’s possible Harbaugh never would have landed at Michigan if it weren’t for a falling out with 49ers management late in his tenure. San Francisco went to the NFC Championship Game in three of his four seasons with the franchise, making his departure almost unheard of.
Harbaugh found a combination of autonomy and success at Michigan, closing his tenure with three straight playoff appearances and winning the 2023 national championship.
