Jim Harbaugh Signs with the Chargers: What’s Next?
Jim Harbaugh, after a National Championship with Michigan, has signed a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. After 13 years of coaching college football, nine with Michigan, Harbaugh finally made the transition to coaching in the NFL. After the Dallas Cowboys re-signed Mike McCarthy, Harbaugh to Los Angeles seemed more likely. Now, what’s next for both the Chargers and for Michigan football?
It’s very hard to replace a coach like Harbaugh, who ended his college-coaching career with 118 wins. His name has been in the middle of NFL coaching rumors ever since leading Michigan to their first National Championship in 26 years. Now they will have their eyes on some very experienced, successful head coaches. They have a couple solid options in Brian Johnson and Dan Quinn, but if they want to push for it, Bill Belichick. After one of the best NFL coaching careers in history, Belichick parted ways with the New England Patriots earlier this offseason. There might be a real shot for them to sign Belichick, and it’s going to be fun to watch who they end up landing.
After another disappointing season, ending with a fourth-place finish, it was obviously time for the Chargers to move on. Former head coach Brandon Staley has led them to a measly 19-16 record since his first season in 2021. Led by stars like Keenan Allen, Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler, Harbaugh is going to take over this Chargers team. If the Chargers push for one more big piece, possibly signing Mike Evans or Tee Higgins, and improve that defense in the draft, they might have a legitimate chance at fighting for the AFC West. They need to build a team around their core sooner rather than later so they can maximize the strength of Harbaugh.
