After weeks of speculation the move that Chargers fans have been waiting for has finally happened. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday afternoon that Jim Harbaugh is leaving the University of Michigan and has accepted a head coaching job with the Bolts.
The writing was on the wall for Harbaugh to make the leap back to the NFL for weeks and the Chargers have always looked like the most probable destination. Harbaugh confirmed all of this speculation and will now coach one of the best young quarterbacks in the sport, Justin Herbert.
A new era begins for the Chargers with Jim Harbaugh as head coach
The Chargers now have the most basic blueprint possible to be a Super Bowl contender in the not-so-distant future. Los Angeles already had the quarterback position figured out but has cycled through failed head coach after failed head coach.
With Harbaugh, the Chargers are bringing in a proven winner who has made it to the final dance before. Harbaugh has won every single place he has coached at and will look to change the culture for a Chargers team that so desperately needs it.
Time and time again there are high expectations around the Chargers and the team often gets in its own way. It has become so bad that "Chargering" has become an official adjective to describe an unfortunate loss. That should all change under Harbaugh, as he will bring the same winning culture with him that made him successful with Michigan, the 49ers, Stanford and the University of San Diego.
Harbaugh finishes his nine-year tenure at Michigan with an 86-25 record. The Wolverines won the Big Ten Championship three times and most recently won the National Championship this January by defeating Alabama and Washington in the College Football Playoffs.
In his five seasons as an NFL head coach Harbaugh compiled a 44-19-1 record with three playoff berths and a Super Bowl berth. Harbaugh never had a losing season with the 49ers.