Harbaugh Set to Join Chargers; Leaves Michigan, Big Ten

CALIFORNIA – Jim Harbaugh did what he set out to do at his alma mater; reclaim old Michigan glory and lead the Wolverines back to the promised land. After nine years and three consecutive Big Ten conference titles, he did just that in early January as Michigan earned their first national championship since 1997.

Now, it is back to the professional ranks to climb the next mountain.

Harbaugh was announced as the next head football coach for the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, leaving the winningest program in college football history. The deal is reportedly a five-year contract, per the Associated Press. He becomes the first head coach since Tom Osborne with Nebraska in 1997 to not return to his team after leading them to a championship in college football.

Jim, the older brother of Baltimore Ravens head coach John, will return to the franchise which he was a quarterback from 1999-2000 prior to his retirement from professional football in 2001. Los Angeles had fired their previous coach Brandon Staley after a dismal start to their season. The Chargers have made the playoffs three times since 2013 and have not won the AFC West since 2009.

Harbaugh’s return to the NFL comes after a four year stint in San Francisco, where the 49ers went 44-19 and had three straight NFC Championship appearances with a Super Bowl berth.