Chargers News: How Jim Harbaugh's Impact Affects Entire Organization

The Chargers' new head coach is changing the culture little by little.

It's been over a month since the Los Angeles Chargers hired and officially introduced new head coach Jim Harbaugh, fresh off a CFP national championship with the Michigan Wolverines. 

Many might have seen the hiring of Harbaugh happen from a mile away. However, it was still a significant hire that could change the course of the Chargers franchise. That's not hyperbole. 

The Bolts seem on the right track with Harbaugh, their new general manager, Joe Hortiz, and ownership. All the pieces seem to be in place, and Harbaugh is making his presence felt. In already a short amount of time, the 60-year-old head coach is making an influence on this struggling franchise. 

The Athletics Daniel Popper described Harbaugh's enormous impact in a short period of time. 

“The biggest Chargers takeaway from combine week: The Jim Harbaugh Experience is in full effect. He is very clearly influencing all facets of the organization, and that is exactly what the Chargers expected when they invested in him as their head coach. The best way to describe the feeling right now is optimistic anticipation. This is new territory for the franchise. The Chargers are fascinating right now, because of what could be, because of the possibilities. Harbaugh has the keys, and the question now is this: Where will he take them?”

—Daniel Popper of The Athletic

Harbaugh's presence and impact are second to none. He's no stranger to turning programs or NFL teams around, and the Chargers are the latest team getting that same treatment. 

Now, it doesn't mean it will happen all at once. However, he's pulling out all the stops to ensure it. Harbaugh is starting with the little stuff that he hopes will translate. 

“Harbaugh used the term “low-hanging fruit” several times when I sat down with him. He used it in reference to his initial conversations with players. He also used it in reference to the organization as a whole. His cultural philosophy revolves around a pretty simple premise: How do the Chargers get better at football? And at these early stages, he is focusing on the immediate, apparent corrections. Remember, on the day before his introductory news conference on Feb. 1, Harbaugh was in Home Depot at 6 a.m. buying a Shop-Vac. He took it to the Chargers’ Orange County facility and vacuumed out the weight room. Little things. Low-hanging fruit. Over time, those add up to what we all know as culture.”

—Daniel Popper of The Athletic

It starts with the little things. It will be up to Harbaugh to build the culture and for the players to fall in line. 

So far, it seems like he's right on schedule.