Harbaugh to Chargers
After nine years, three straight Big Ten titles, three straight wins over Ohio State, three straight trips to the Playoff, one National Championship, and many, many failed attempts, someone with a Harbaugh-to-NFL rumor seems to finally be correct.
Breaking: Jim Harbaugh is leaving Michigan to accept the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2024
The Chargers get their man while the national champions now have a head-coach opening. pic.twitter.com/e937qd03hP
…as seemingly confirmed by the Chargers.
WHO’S GOT IT BETTER THAN US??
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 25, 2024
Whether they initiate a cursory search process first or not, the job is going to Sherrone Moore. Michigan's incumbent OC/OL coach served as interim head man four times last year, winning at Penn State, and winning the most narratively significant Michigan-Ohio State game ever played. More importantly, insiders say Sherrone Moore has the confidence of the players and staff. Also the other names talked about during periods of high Harbaugh departure inevitability were Kalen DeBoer, recently installed in Saban's chair, and Jedd Fisch, who is taking DeBoer's.
While the bulk of the coaching staff should stay put, if/when they name Moore he will need new coordinators for all three phases. During the post-2020 program rebuild Harbaugh brought in a lot of staff with deeper ties to Michigan than himself. If/when Moore is named, he is likely to hold onto critical architects of that turnaround like Steve Clinkscale, Mike Hart, Ron Bellamy, Mike Elston, Grant Newsome, Kirk Campbell, Denard Robinson, and most importantly S&C coach Ben Herbert. Defensive wunderkind Jesse Minter and the somehow still vastly underemployed Jay Harbaugh are expected to join Jay's dad in LA. If I was Sherrone I would ask them to use what they were going to pay Jim to try to hold onto those guys.
Michigan had some hope of holding onto Harbaugh, but one cannot win the Lombardi Trophy at Michigan. College coaches who can make the leap to the pros are rare--Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Steve Spurrier, Lou Holtz all failed--and among them Harbaugh is the rarest: a successful college coach who's *already* taken an NFL team to the Super Bowl. It stings to lose him now, when Michigan's as strong as it's been in our lifetimes, but I've never met a Stanford fan who lamented Bill Walsh, a Canes fan mad at Jimmy Johnson, or a happy USC fan whether they had Pete Carroll or not.
This will not be the last time we talk about Jim Harbaugh, who turned around a program experiencing its worst decade since the 1950s, and leaves, like Fritz Crisler, after taking one of the greatest teams ever assembled to the pinnacle of college football. Crisler's top lieutenant promptly won another championship, but in the years afterward Michigan's administration fell behind in a rapidly changing landscape. Perhaps the benefit of knowing history is the power to learn from it.
Welcome, fans of the reigning National Champions, to the Age of Moore.
[Barron]
UPDATE: official. Statements from Santa Ono and Warde Manuel after the jump.
University of Michigan President Santa Ono Statement
We have been in talks with Jim Harbaugh for the last several weeks and have tried our best to retain him as our football coach. Jim called me today and let me know that he has made the difficult decision to leave Michigan and join the Los Angeles Chargers in pursuit of his NFL dreams.
For the fans, the players, and for me personally, we are sad to hear of Jim’s departure. His drive and ambition turned our program around, delivered our first national championship in a quarter century and maintained Michigan as the all-time winningest team in the history of college football.
I thank Jim for all he has done for the University of Michigan and respect his decision. He has been an extraordinary leader and a friend. I will be cheering for Jim as he embarks on this next adventure.
----------------------------
University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel Statement
I want to thank Jim for everything he has done for our football program, athletic department and the University of Michigan over the past nine years. Every day, he has worked extremely hard to elevate the stature of Michigan across the world, with the goal of winning championships and developing young men on and off the football field.
Jim did exactly what he sought to do at Michigan, build our program to consistently win Big Ten Championships and compete for national championships, culminating with a record three straight outright conference titles and the national championship this year. He did the same off the field by graduating his players and providing life experiences through mentorships, internships and team trips around the globe.
We have been discussing a new contract that would make Jim the highest paid coach in college football. In the end, he wanted to explore and ultimately decided to pursue a return to coaching in the NFL. We can’t thank Jim enough for all that he has done for our student-athletes, staff and Michigan Football. He will always be a huge part of our rich history, and will be remembered as an all-time great Wolverine, as both a championship player and coach.
Jim has always been extremely upfront with his communication regarding NFL opportunities and has been helpful with this transition in leadership. We had a great conversation tonight when he informed me of this decision to return to the NFL and offered his assistance in helping identify the needs for the program moving forward.
We are working quickly to hire the next head coach for the program and will do everything possible to keep this current staff and team together.
We appreciate Jim’s dedication and passion for Michigan, the university and Ann Arbor, and I wish Jim and the entire Harbaugh family much success with the Los Angeles Chargers.
#GoBlue
January 24th, 2024 at 7:38 PM ^
Do we know for sure that Herbert isn't going to follow Harbaugh to Los Angeles?
January 24th, 2024 at 7:39 PM ^
Michigan should offer Herbert 2x whatever the Chargers offer
January 24th, 2024 at 7:47 PM ^
Obviously, we don’t but NFL teams don’t have strength guys like that. You have to understand, in the NFL most of these players are home by 5 PM every day. They don’t have the kind of conditioning regimen college teams do
January 24th, 2024 at 7:51 PM ^
Strength and Conditioning coaches are less important in the NFL. He'll make more at UM.
January 24th, 2024 at 7:54 PM ^
College SC coach >>>> NFL SC coach. Players mostly have their own trainers, so your job is more about coordinating rehabs.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:15 PM ^
And strength coaches don't have to recruit. Recruiting is generally regarded as negative when comparing college jobs to pro.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:34 PM ^
This. Herbert already has the better job. The chargers would be a demotion for him.
January 24th, 2024 at 9:21 PM ^
And Ann Arbor cost of living is much better than LA.
January 25th, 2024 at 8:54 AM ^
I realize this is the perception but having to stroke the ego's of multimillion dollar egomaniacs ain't no picnic. In a sense you do have to recruit NFL players, to buy in to your philosophies and methods as head coach.
January 25th, 2024 at 12:51 PM ^
Herbert doesn't travel to recruit, or likely even communicate through social with croots.
But every kid that visits mentions Coach Herb & his program, his enthusiasm. So he definitely works on recruiting!
January 24th, 2024 at 11:22 PM ^
Actually Justin Herbert has been there for some time already...🤷♂️
January 24th, 2024 at 11:23 PM ^
I thought I read somewhere that Herbert just signed a five year extension. Did I imagine that?
January 25th, 2024 at 7:26 AM ^
Jim followed Herbert to Los Angeles.
January 24th, 2024 at 7:38 PM ^
Michigan should offer Minter 2x whatever the charges are offering make it hard on Harbaugh to get what he wants. He's the enemy now. We love him, but he's the enemy.
January 24th, 2024 at 7:45 PM ^
I agree. Ask Minter for a year to handle the transition. Give him like 90-95% of whatever Moore's salary is, an Associate Head Coach title and ask him to groom a successor. He's going to the NFL eventually, but make it the year after next.
January 24th, 2024 at 7:49 PM ^
Minter is an NFL guy, this was a gig for Harbaugh and Harbaugh alone. He's got his surefire ticket back to the league now, no reason for him to stick around.
January 24th, 2024 at 7:53 PM ^
He was at Vanderbilt prior to Michigan.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:05 PM ^
...after four seasons on John Harbaugh's staff in Baltimore. It's no secret he's wanted to be back in the NFL.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:08 PM ^
Right, but you said he was at Michigan because of Jim Harbaugh as if he was only coaching at the college level like he was Mike Macdonald. He went back to college football prior to being at Michigan, so that's not entirely true. I agree with you that he's going to end up in the NFL, I think Michigan with the right offer and titles could make him delay that a year.
January 25th, 2024 at 7:56 AM ^
The story I've heard is that both MacDonald and Minter interviewed for the job and Harbaugh liked both but ultimately went with MacDonald. Minter, rather than stay with Baltimore, went to Vandy to have an opportunity to be the DC and a year later, after MacDonald left, Harbaugh called. Minter going to college was more about getting that DC experience. Like you, I'd love to see him stay another year. I honestly feel like we could run it back if we kept Minter. At the very least for the Big Ten.
January 25th, 2024 at 9:58 AM ^
Depending on Michigan to make the right offer to retain talent again. I'm with you, though
January 24th, 2024 at 8:27 PM ^
Yeah. If anything, I might try to see if we can keep the Ravens connection going and see if they have any other promising young defensive coaches.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:25 PM ^
Yeah ideally we keep good ties with John and he sends us his next little freak.
Unfortunately, it seems likely the Ravens' DC job will be opening up, so he's gonna keep the best one for himself. Wouldn't be shocked if Minter ended up at the Ravens, either.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:50 PM ^
I mean…. Don’t we now have a ravens and chargers connection?? That’s actually the gas part of this equation
January 25th, 2024 at 8:59 AM ^
If we can't retain Minter then I would go after Zachary Orr or maybe Daniel Stern.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:53 PM ^
"Minter is an NFL guy" is unmitigated bullshit that has already been debunked numerous times here.
January 24th, 2024 at 9:23 PM ^
I would be surprised if Minter was not part of the package with Harbaugh. He handles the offensive build and Minter the defense.
January 24th, 2024 at 7:45 PM ^
Make Minter the highest paid DC in college football by 1m will keep him in AA. With all the money Jim left on the table, they can afford it.
January 24th, 2024 at 7:55 PM ^
Yeah, the highest paid coordinators in the NFL (according to a quick google search don't hold me to it) make 3-4 million. Throw that at Minter for a year. Let him join Harbaugh after that.
Edit: Looks like 4.5 million.
Offer him $4 million to stay.
January 24th, 2024 at 7:59 PM ^
Guarantee part of Harbaugh's deal with the Chargers is to offer Minter so much $$$ he's definitely going to leave with Harbaugh. Take Minter off the table, as much as that hurts.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:07 PM ^
I agree that he is probably gone, but you make it as difficult as possible.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:23 PM ^
Jim has to have a great defensive coordinator now. The job will not be open after a year. (Unless the other guy is awful - which is not likely.)
January 24th, 2024 at 7:55 PM ^
They can offer but I think Minter has a path to NFL DC--look where his friend Mike Macdonald is now--and won't turn it down.
Michigan should ask him who should replace him though.
January 24th, 2024 at 9:19 PM ^
Yeah, I swear people in this fanbase still can't wrap their heads around the fact that if you want to coach in the NFL there is no amount of money that will convince you to say in college. Jesse Minter, like Mike MacDonald before him, is an in-demand DC who could be an NFL DC at age 40 and have a clear path to being an NFL HC in 4-5 years. You absolutely jump at that opportunity.
Michigan should absolutely talk to him about his replacement (if the guy is on staff) as well as consult with the Harbaughs (John and Jim in particular, but throw Jack in there) about other options as well.
January 24th, 2024 at 9:41 PM ^
The #1 defense in the NFL is coordinated by Mike Macdonald and the #1 defense in college is the same system coordinated by Macdonald’s successor.
Imagine if a great offensive system was the top offense in both the NFL and in college and the college system was developed by the NFL guy and the current guy has those qualifications.
If Minter wants to coach in the NFL, he would be foolish *not* to go. And if he didn’t follow Harbaugh he’d get a job somewhere else. And a lot of guys would like a chance at the NFL.
January 25th, 2024 at 6:41 AM ^
Agree 100%
Minter will be a NFL Head Coach by 2030.
January 24th, 2024 at 11:47 PM ^
An absolutely huge percentage of our fans are people who ditched the Lions decades ago, or even were raised by parents who had done so. Tons of people who do not understand that college is college and the pros are the pros and 95% of people will take the latter every time.
January 25th, 2024 at 1:52 AM ^
Actually, now that you mention it... is Jack available?
January 25th, 2024 at 8:32 AM ^
Seth has the wise approach.
Minter knows who knows this defense best. Either on staff or an up and comer like himself.
His input should be sought in his replacement.
January 24th, 2024 at 7:59 PM ^
Come on man, Harbaugh is not the enemy because he wants to win a Super Bowl. He restored Michigan to the top tier of college football programs, and just delivered a National Championship! Thank him and wish him luck, and then remember we are still National Champions!! Go Blue
January 24th, 2024 at 8:00 PM ^
He is in the sense that he's going to try and poach talent from Michigan's coaching staff. Consider it a friendly rivalry of sorts.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:31 PM ^
But it may be in our best interests to not battle him over coaches. Maybe he, like his brother, can be a known friend and trusted agent for us in the pros and recommend rising coaches to come here for some seasoning, as Macdonald and Minter did.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:35 PM ^
I'm really only talking about Minter for a season.
January 24th, 2024 at 11:23 PM ^
Wut? Make enemies with the Harbaugh family? They helped Jim rebuild Michigan football. You can make Minter a great offer, but if he wants to go to the NFL so be it. He’s earned it. Michigan should keep the Harbaugh tree in good graces. They can help Moore or whoever is the next HC plug holes in the staff.
January 25th, 2024 at 10:56 AM ^
Logic is not dead.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:58 PM ^
Harbaugh was always "on loan" to us from the NFL. Thank goodness we got the absolute most out of that time he was here.
January 24th, 2024 at 9:40 PM ^
He's not the enemy; but he is the competition.
January 25th, 2024 at 6:44 AM ^
Is he coaching Michigan or the Lions? No.
Is he coaching a team that can hurt/beat Michigan or the Lions? Yes
He's the enemy.
January 25th, 2024 at 3:20 PM ^
Following that logic, John Harbaugh must be the enemy, even though he's given us our last two DCs.
January 26th, 2024 at 9:00 AM ^
Correct. I hope every NFL team that isn't the Lions goes 0-17 every year, their franchises fail, and all their coaches have to resign in dishonor.
Thank for the coordinators - but I still hope you lose every game.
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