LA Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh will hold his highly anticipated introductory press conference this Thursday, February 1 at 1:00 pm PT. Among other things, Harbaugh will likely discuss his coaching staff composition.
While he decided to bring Michigan Wolverines' Jesse Minter as the new Chargers DC (according to reports), the offensive and special teams coordinations remain to be determined.
On the other hand, Ben Herbert will join the Chargers as the head strength and conditioning coach. He has held that same position with the Wolverines since 2018, and Jim Harbaugh considered him to be the program's "x-factor". Though without the same spotlight as the offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators, this tough man's arrival marks one of the most important moves in recent years.
J.J. Watt, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and CBS commentator, argued extensively in the Pat McAfee Show about everything Ben Herbert brings to the Chargers, as he was his strength coach at the University of Wisconsin:
"One of the underrated moves about the Jim Harbaugh deal is the Chargers hiring Ben Herbert as their strength coach..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 31, 2024
He was my strength coach at Wisconsin and he's truly a game changer" ~ @JJWatt #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/sgThg3cNj4
"There are a few people that are ... complete game changers when it comes to personality, ... culture, ... knowledge, [and] implementing their system and changing an entire team just by their presence, and Ben Herbert is one of those people. "J.J. Watt
The most important aspect of the Chargers hiring Ben Herbert
In addition to improved physicality–reflected in tackling and blocking efficiency–Ben Herbert could change the Chargers' injury fate. After co-host Darius Butler touched on the team's recent struggles, Watt recalled that the Wolverines had 143 of 144 players available for the past Rose Bowl, which is definitely an astounding number.
That's an encouraging fact for Chargers fans after the last two seasons when players such as Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Joey Bosa were out for multiple games. We could finally see a win-loss record reflects the roster's talent, and not the number of injured players.
Ben Herbert's hiring is exciting news for Chargers fans, given JJ Watt's confidence in his ability to change the team's culture and history after his experience in Wisconsin. Moreover, Herbert is not only familiar with coach Harbaugh but was also key to Michigan's National Championship run.