Jim Harbaugh might not be COTY – but he is perfect for Chargers

Chris Roling | Jan 6, 2025

David Butler II-Imagn Images

In this story:

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh probably isn’t going to win Coach of the Year honors in a year absolutely stacked with stellar candidates.

But the Chargers and their fans won’t complain.

Harbaugh just arrived and did what he always does—immediately revive a program. The Chargers went from picking fifth overall last year before Harbaugh to landing the fifth seed in the playoffs this season.

It was, by the way, supposed to be a “soft” rebuilding year as the Chargers navigated a tricky cap situation, overturned the roster and overhauled the program.

Instead, the Chargers have a shot at a Lombardi Trophy in Year 1 of the Harbaugh exrperience and plenty of cap space and resources to improve following the season.

For now, nobody comes close to Harbaugh in the minds of Chargers fans. Some reactions:

The last time the Chargers swept both the Raiders and Broncos was 2007. They did just that in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as head coach. pic.twitter.com/Q6afaHtveo
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) January 6, 2025

Jim Harbaugh just took the Chargers from the #5 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the #5 seed in the AFC for the 2024-25 Playoffs.

Should Harbaugh be NFL Coach of the Year? pic.twitter.com/W9wQUimLdv
— Blue By 90 (@bluebyninety) January 6, 2025

Chargers went from 5 wins to a 5 seed.

All that happened in between was “salary cap hell”, moving off their “stars” (Keenan, Ekeler, Mike, etc.) and hiring Jim Harbaugh.

Are we sure Jim Harbaugh isn’t COTY?
— Ryan DePaul (@RyanDePaul) January 6, 2025

- The Chargers were 5-12 last season.

- They lost to the Raiders 63-21 in Las Vegas and fired their head coach and GM.

- Jim Harbaugh was hired one year ago.

- The Chargers went 11-6 in his first year.

- They beat the Raiders 34-20 in Las Vegas to clinch a Top 5 AFC seed. pic.twitter.com/6zKW15vw5R
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 6, 2025

Jim Harbaugh took over a 5-12 team that lost Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler & Gerald Everett.

Entirely new coaching staff (for the most part)

4 rookies starting

And he got us to 11-6. We love you Coach! pic.twitter.com/ZvoVmFMR7W
— ChargersWorld (@ChargersWorld) January 6, 2025

Jim Harbaugh’s first year as the Chargers Head Coach was a success ✅

11-6 Record
12th in points allowed
1st in points allowed

Defense went from being one of the WORST to the best and had a sensational draft. Future is bright. pic.twitter.com/EqGrEWBsPN
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) January 6, 2025

— Enjoy free coverage of the Chargers from Los Angeles Chargers on SI —