Jim Harbaugh’s coaching future felt like it was up in the air after Michigan won the college football national championship. That has now come to fruition.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Los Angeles Chargers are hiring Harbaugh as their new head coach. USA Today affirmed the news, too. Fresh off a title season in Ann Arbor, Harbaugh will now have the pleasure of coaching Justin Herbert and, ideally, building the Chargers back into a bona fide Super Bowl contender. Notably, at the time of this writing, the Chargers have not yet hired a new general manager, opting to lock in Harbaugh for their coaching vacancy first.
Breaking: Jim Harbaugh is leaving Michigan to accept the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers, sources tell ESPN.
The Chargers get their man while the national champions now have a head-coach opening. pic.twitter.com/e937qd03hP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2024
Harbaugh had reportedly been in talks for a few weeks with several NFL teams, making his leaving Michigan all but feel like an outright inevitability. Naturally, some NFL fans were relieved; some thought the Chargers made a home-run hire, and some even had thoughts about what it meant for Herbert’s future as one of the more talented quarterbacks in the league.
This was how Twitter reacted to the Chargers' hire of Harbaugh
The off-season won’t stop in-seasoning https://t.co/zphJArMDd3 pic.twitter.com/7w9ywsSKSC
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) January 25, 2024
I know it’s been like five years and this tweet even says “Los Angeles” in it but my first reaction was “oh, he gets to go back to San Diego, full circle” https://t.co/xOk2VTIyof
— actioncookbook (@actioncookbook) January 25, 2024
I think Jim Harbaugh is gonna win a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Chargers in about four years.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) January 25, 2024
I am aware of the news regarding Jim Harbaugh leaving @UMichFootball for @chargers and will address it in full on Thursday’s @RichEisenShow
No further questions at this time. https://t.co/LxfWzalU1Z
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 25, 2024
Jim Harbaugh is a culture builder, brings toughness, and has elevated the quarterback position wherever he’s gone. The Chargers are in need of all three. It’s a new day in the AFC.
— Chris Hayre (@chrishayre) January 25, 2024
AFC west is gonna be wild
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) January 25, 2024
In the NFL Harbaugh was 44-19-1 record in the regular season and 5-3 in the postseason.
He played for five different teams during his 15-year career, including the Bears.
The Bears should have inquired and at least gauged his interest. Just my thoughts. #Bears #DaBears
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) January 25, 2024
“This is something they wanted.”@MoveTheSticks on Chargers fans looking forward to having a new HC in Jim Harbaugh. (via @NFLTotalAccess) pic.twitter.com/elaxk3yhcE
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 25, 2024
Congrats to Screech's cousin Jim Harbaugh on landing the Chargers job pic.twitter.com/sMvOeFcxhz
— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) January 25, 2024
Chargers have the 6th easiest strength of schedule (lots of NFC South) in ‘24 and Raiders and Broncos don’t even know who their QBs are. Jim Harbaugh could sleep-walk to an 11-6 season if not better.
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) January 25, 2024
They really did it. The Chargers have hired Jim Harbaugh.
This is a franchise altering decision and is the biggest hire in team history. A proven winner, a culture creator and a champion. A truly home run hire.
— Daniel Wade (@dantalkssports) January 24, 2024
Justin Herbert is going to love his life as Jim Harbaugh’s quarterback, if nothing else. That run game is going to be fixed, and I’d bet the defense will be too.
— Diante Lee (@DianteLeeFB) January 25, 2024