Year after year, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh was considered likely to depart the Wolverines for the NFL. Year after year, he remained the head coach in Ann Arbor. However, on Wednesday, what had long been conjecture by many finally became a reality, much to the chagrin of the maize and blue faithful.
Harbaugh accepted the Los Angeles Chargers job on Wednesday, and he has officially been announced by the franchise as the new head coach in Southern California.
In the team announcement, Harbaugh shared his thoughts, saying his love for Michigan is forever, but also noting that it feels like home returning to the Chargers franchise.
“My love for Michigan, playing there and coming back to coach there, leaves a lasting impact. I’ll always be a loyal Wolverine,” said Harbaugh. “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. From working as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky alongside my father, Jack, and time as an assistant with the Raiders, to being a head coach at USD, Stanford, the 49ers and Michigan — each of those opportunities carried significance, each felt personal. When I played for the Chargers, the Spanos family could not have been more gracious or more welcoming. Being back here feels like home, and it’s great to see that those things haven’t changed.
“The only job you start at the top is digging a hole, so we know we’ve got to earn our way. Be better today than yesterday. Be better tomorrow than today. My priorities are faith, family and football, and we are going to attack each with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. 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 was the quarterback for the Chargers (1999-2000) when the franchise was still in San Diego. Of all the jobs he’s often been connected to, the Chargers, Raiders and Bears all seemed likely destinations if he was ever to take another NFL job after his four-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers.
With Harbaugh gone, Michigan football will need a replacement, and it appears to have someone in mind.