Chargers running back may be in hot water with Jim Harbaugh after comments

Chris Breiler | Sep 9, 2024

Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sidelines in the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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It might not seem like it most times, but there is a world where Wolverines and Buckeyes can coexist - and that world is the NFL. On Sunday, Jim Harbaugh notched his first win as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. En route to the 22-10 victory over the Raiders, former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins rushed for a team high 135 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. Following the game, Harbaugh gave a game ball to Dobbins during the postgame celebration.

Appearing on the Pat McAfee show on Monday, Dobbins provided a glowing review of his current head coach.

"Coach Harbaugh is as advertised and we're gonna put the work in..

He's so genuine and I'm glad I'm playing for him"@Jkdobbins22 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/UsvqUi0gHY
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 9, 2024

"It's as advertised," Dobbins said. "He's like, we're going to go get that work in, right? We're going to get the work in, we're going to work hard, we going to work really hard. But man, like some of the stuff he says and does... it's so funny. It kills me. Like I die laughing from it because he's so genuine about something, but it's so funny just the way he says it, how it comes out. But he's a great coach, man. So is his brother, of course. But I love this guy, I'm glad I'm playing for him."

It probably would have been great for Dobbins to stop there, but the bitterness of the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State likely clouded his better judgement. When McAfee bought up Michigan's success over the Buckeyes from 2021-23, Dobbins said he doesn't think those wins will count.

J.K. Dobbins wasn't about to let @PatMcAfeeShow talk about his Buckeyes losing 😅 pic.twitter.com/NvjcEJGS2G
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 9, 2024

"We're not going to get into that," Dobbins said. "Because I love him and that's my coach right now. But.... but as an Ohio State person, I don't think those games will count. But look, I love coach [Harbaugh]. He's a great coach, he is a winner. But he had a person on his staff that... those games might not count."

Although Dobbins was taking somewhat of a lighthearted approach in his response, there's no question that Harbaugh didn't leave Ann Arbor on good terms - at least as far as the NCAA is concerned. Along with serving a self-imposed three game suspension to open the 2023 season for recruiting violations back in 2020, Harbaugh also served a three game suspension at the end of the regular season due to the sign-stealing scandal surrounding Connor Stalions. That scandal led to the NCAA opening an investigation into to the Michigan Football program and ultimately played a big role in Harbaugh's decision to return to the NFL.

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