Jim Harbaugh Leaves Michigan for Chargers Head-Coaching Job

The coach spent the past nine seasons with Michigan.

The Los Angeles Chargers are hiring Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach, the team announced on Wednesday. The Chargers now also need to fill their vacant general manager position to pair with Harbaugh.

“My love for Michigan, playing there and coming back to coach there, leaves a lasting impact. I’ll always be a loyal Wolverine,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “I’m remarkably fortunate to have been afforded the privilege of coaching at places where life's journey has created strong personal connections for me…This organization is putting in the work — investing capital, building infrastructure and doing everything within its power to win. Great effort equals great results, and we're just getting started.”

Harbaugh spent the past nine years leading the Wolverines, which culminated in Michigan winning the national championship this year. The veteran coach previously coached the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL, going 44-19-1 in four seasons from 2011 to ‘14, which included a Super Bowl appearance.

As a player, Harbaugh appeared in 21 games for the then-San Diego Chargers in 1999 and 2000 before retiring. 

BREAKING: The Chargers are hiring Jim Harbaugh as their next head coach, per multiple reports pic.twitter.com/Req6kwyYQN

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 24, 2024

Los Angeles needed a new head coach after firing Brandon Staley midway into his third season on the job. Despite going 5–12 in 2023, the Chargers still have a franchise quarterback to build around in Justin Herbert.

With Harbaugh leaving, Michigan now has a head coach opening as the school looks to defend its title next season. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who served as interim head coach when Harbaugh served his three-game suspension last year, is the favorite for the job, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.