Jim Harbaugh departed the NFL and returned to coaching in the college ranks for the University of Michigan in 2015. Following his first NFL head coaching stint with the San Francisco 49ers, many teams attempted to lure Harbaugh back to the NFL and failed.
Yet, the Los Angeles Chargers were the franchise that was finally able to do so. Thanks to the presence of franchise quarterback Justin Herbert, Harbaugh landed in Los Angeles, and the Chargers have enjoyed plenty of success in his first season as the team’s head coach.
But why did the Chargers hire Harbaugh, and what made him sought-after in the offseason?
Breaking Down Jim Harbaugh’s Coaching Career
Following Harbaugh’s 14-year NFL career as a quarterback, he got his coaching start at Western Kentucky as an offensive consultant in 1994. After spending several years with the Hilltoppers, Harbaugh landed his first opportunity to coach in the NFL as the quarterbacks coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2002.
After two seasons with the Raiders, he returned to the college ranks as head coach at the University of San Diego. Harbaugh led San Diego to a 29-6 record in three seasons and eventually landed the HC gig at Stanford University in 2007.
Harbaugh helped Stanford turn things around during his four seasons with the team, as the Cardinal went from 4-8 in his first season to 12-1 in his fourth. After leading Stanford to victory in the Orange Bowl in his final season there, Harbaugh landed his first head coaching opportunity in the NFL.
The 49ers hired Harbaugh in 2011 in search of their first winning season and playoff appearance since 2002. As he did for multiple teams in college, Harbaugh immediately turned things around in San Francisco.
In his debut season with the team, Harbaugh led the 49ers to a 13-3 record, including two more wins in the postseason. San Francisco won five playoff games during Harbaugh’s four-year tenure with the 49ers, including a trip to Super Bowl 47.
Following his tenure in San Francisco, Harbaugh was courted back to the college ranks, as he was named head coach at the University of Michigan in 2014. He spent nine seasons as head coach of the Wolverines before finally returning to the NFL with the Chargers in 2024.
Has Harbaugh Ever Won a Super Bowl?
Harbaugh has had plenty of success as a head coach in both college and the NFL. Yet, despite making a trip to Super Bowl 47 against his brother, John Harbaugh, and the Baltimore Ravens, he’s been unable to win the biggest game of all.
The 49ers fell short against the Ravens, ultimately losing by a final score of 34-31. San Francisco trailed Baltimore 21-6 at halftime, and many thought the moment was too big for Harbaugh and the 49ers, especially after Ravens kick returner Jacoby Jones returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown.
Following Jones’ electric return, there was, ironically, a power outage in the Superdome. After the game was suspended for 34 minutes due to the power outage, both teams returned to the field, and the 49ers took advantage of the unexpected break.
San Francisco scored 17 unanswered points to make it a one-possession game late in the third quarter. Yet, it ultimately wasn’t enough, as the 49ers were unable to convert a key two-point conversion in the fourth quarter that would have tied the game.
While Harbaugh wasn’t able to overcome his brother or the Ravens in his first trip to the Super Bowl, he’s off to a promising start in Los Angeles. Given his success in Year 1 with the Chargers, it’s safe to say that the team has a bright future with Harbaugh.