The LA Chargers have completed the splashiest hire of the NFL coaching merry-go-round after confirming the appointment of Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach.
Harbaugh replaces Brandon Staley in LA, who was given his marching orders back in December following a 63-21 trashing at the Las Vegas Raiders. With quarterback Justin Herbert injured, the Chargers limped to 5-12 record and finished bottom of the AFC West.
After winning just one playoff game in the seven years since the franchise moved from San Diego to Los Angeles, the team have made their highest-profile coaching appointment in recent years.
Here is a closer look at Harbaugh’s background.
Where did Harbaugh spend his playing career?
Harbaugh attended the University of Michigan and was selected bt the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft.
He would spend seven years with the Bears before signing with the Indianapolis Colts in 1994. After four years with the Colts, he played for a year with the Baltimore Ravens, which was followed by two seasons in San Diego with the Chargers and closed out his playing career in 2001 after short stints with the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers.
Where has Harbaugh coached?
Harbaugh began his coaching career as an offensive consultant in the college game at Western Kentucky between 1994 and 2001, where his father Jack was head coach. His first NFL tole came as the quarterback coach for the Oakland Raiders between 2002 and 2003.
His first head coach job came at the University of San Diego in 2004 and he would then take the top job at Stanford in 2007.
The NFL came calling in 2011 when he was hired by the San Francisco 49ers, enjoying a successful four-year stint which saw him reach three consecutive NFC Championship games and lose Super Bowl XLVII to the Baltimore Ravens, coached by his brother John.
In 2015 he returned to Michigan, spending eight seasons with the Wolverines.
What is his coaching record and what has he won?
Harbaugh has a 133-52 record as a college head coach, winning the title of national champions following the Wolverines 15-0 season last year. In 2021 he was named the AP College Football Coach of the Year.
HIs NFL record with the 49ers reads 49-22-1 and was named as the NFL Coach of the Year in 2011.
What are his contract details with the LA Chargers?
As per Adam Schefter, Harbaugh has signed a five-year deal with the Chargers. Financial details are yet to be confirmed, with the Outkick reporting that he will earn a higher salary than the $12.5million that Michigan reportedly offered him to stay in the college game, but lower than the $18million figure that has previously been floated
Live on DAZN: Watch Munguia vs. Ryder on January 27 (excluding Mexico). Click here for details.