Chargers News: The Reason LA Can't Hire Jim Harbaugh Right Away

The Chargers may want to offer Jim Harbaugh a deal right now, but there is a big reason why they can't.

The Los Angeles Chargers have been plenty busy interviewing potential head coaches for the 2024 season. The current reports indicate that they are heavily targeting Jim Harbaugh, which would bring him back to the pro level after spending eight seasons with Michigan. 

Harbaugh interviewed with the team yesterday but left without a deal in place. While that may have caused many fans to start panicking, there is a reason why the Chargers have not announced anything. 

The reason behind this is the NFL's Rooney Rule. The Rooney Rule indicates that teams cannot hire a new coach without interviewing at least two external minority candidates in person. 

The biggest issue with the Rooney Rule currently is the new NFL hiring guidelines prohibit face-to-face interviews until January 22. 

The Chargers have already interviewed external candidates Las Vegas Raiders DC Patrick Graham, Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken, San Francisco 49ers DC Steve Wilks, Cincinnati Bengals OC Brian Callahan, former Buffalo Bills DC Leslie Frazier, and Baltimore Ravens DC Mike Macdonald. 

The team also announced interim HC Giff Smith and current OC Kellen Moore have also been interviewed. 

This is a massive list of very qualified candidates who are part of the Spanos family's "wide net" that they promised. 

The Chargers are certainly doing their due diligence, but they will need to have additional in-person interviews before a decision can be made. 

Even if Harbaugh is the front-runner, he will have to wait and see if the Chargers call after adhering to the Rooney Rule. In-person interviews will begin next week, so we expect the Chargers to make a decision rather quickly after those interviews happen. 

With so many qualified candidates, the Chargers will have their work cut out in choosing the right person. Even if that person is not Harbaugh, many of the listed coaches would theoretically be huge for the team.