The NFL released their annual awards finalists from the Associated Press voters. Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins was nominated as a finalist for AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year. But while Los Angeles had him as an awards finalist, the conversation quickly turned to the big name that wasn't nominated.
There were five finalists for 2025 AP NFL Coach of the Year. Dan Quinn (Commanders), Andy Reid (Chiefs), Sean Payton (Broncos), Kevin O'Connell (Vikings), and Dan Campbell (Lions) made up the contenders. Notably, Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh was left out of the finalist's group despite turning a 5-12 Los Angeles team into an 11-6 playoff-bound group.
With O'Connell or Quinn as favorites for the award, Harbaugh would've been unlikely to win Coach of the Year anyway. But the Chargers HC did sweep Payton in two head-to-head matchups this year. Sure, taking a rookie Bo Nix to the playoffs could've swayed voters over Harbaugh having an established quarterback like Justin Herbert.
However, one could argue that Harbaugh did more with less on the roster than Andy Reid while having multiple wins over Payton.
Jim Harbaugh isn't the only Chargers coach not acknowledged for their work in 2024
Chargers DC Jesse Minter was also left out of some Coach of the Year consideration among the assistants. Despite leading the league's top-scoring defense by points per game (17.7), Minter was passed over for DC Brian Flores (Vikings), DC Vic Fangio (Eagles), DC Aaron Glenn (Lions), OC Ben Johnson (Lions), and OC Joe Brady (Bills).
Harbaugh previously won AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2011 after he took the San Francisco 49ers to 13-3 in his first season with the team. He also had playoff success that season, as the Niners made their first of several NFC Championship game appearances in this century.
Hopefully, Harbaugh and the coaching staff will use this arguable snub as motivation for next season. Harbaugh has already confirmed that Greg Roman and Jesse Minter, the key cogs in the coaching staff, are expected to be back next season.