How Jim Harbaugh's Success vs. Ohio State Played Role In Landing Chargers Job

The Wolverines were in a dark spot when Harbaugh took the reigns, but have begun to turn things around following three-straight victories against Ohio State.

Jim Harbaugh is moving on from the Michigan Wolverines.

On Wednesday evening, it was reported that the eight-year Wolverines helmsman had accepted a position as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers in the National Football League (NFL).

Many Ohio State Buckeyes fans took to social media to celebrate the departure of their rival's coach. 

However, in a moment of irony, Harbaugh's recent success against the Buckeyes was a big factor in his landing of the job with the Chargers.

When Harbaugh took over in 2015, Michigan had lost nine of their last ten games against Ohio State. The losing streak continued for the first five years of his tenure with the Wolverines, with some fans even calling for his dismissal after things didn't change.

Then, in 2021, Harbaugh finally did what he promised to do. He and the Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes 42-27 at Michigan Stadium.

Harbaugh did not stop there, leading Michigan to two more consecutive victories over the next pair of seasons. Most recently, Harbaugh's squad turned their success in "The Game" into a national championship, recording the first 15-0 record in Big Ten Conference history.

Harbaugh now departs Michigan with a career record of 86-25, including three-straight appearances in the College Football Playoff and the national title win.

Leading the Chargers over the 2024 season will not be Harbaugh's first experience in the NFL. 

Harbaugh spent four seasons on the coaching staff of the San Francisco 49ers, and was with the club when they earned a ticket to the Super Bowl in 2014.

John Harbaugh, the brother of Jim, has been head coach of the Baltimore Ravens for the last several seasons (including in that aforementioned Super Bowl). The two siblings will coach against one another this coming season when the Ravens battle the Chargers in Los Angeles on a to-be-determined date.