Theory: Jim Harbaugh Will Coach the Chargers in 2024

Due to the sign stealing scandal involving the Michigan football team, head coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season. Harbaugh can return to the sideline if Michigan qualifies for both the Big Ten title game on Dec. 2 and the CFP.

Main perpetrator Connor Stalions resigned from the program on Nov. 3, claiming through his attorney that no one at Michigan was aware of his actions. Harbaugh also denied knowing anything of Stalions’ involvement in banned sign stealing practices.

Depending on if the NCAA punishes Harbaugh Michigan further, the whispers of the former NFL head coach returning to the pros could turn into shouts. At this point in his life, Harbaugh isn’t going to want to waste time his not coaching. He wants to win.

In 2022 when Harbaugh met with the Minnesota Vikings and wasn't offered the head coaching job, he said “There was a pull to the NFL because I got that close to the Super Bowl, but this was the time. And this is the last time. Now let’s go chase college football’s greatest prize.”

A mystery source who is supposedly close to him also said, “I think it is a done deal if he gets an offer.”

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. If the NCAA gives Harbaugh a harsh sanction, the former NFC champion would run into the NFL's warm embrace that has teams that would be aggressive in acquiring his services.

There’s one franchise in particular that he would bolt to, and that would be the Los Angeles Chargers.

Why?

Current coach Brandon Staley is not capable handling the rigors of NFL head coaching. He routinely makes back breaking mistakes and should get fired if the Chargers miss the playoffs again.

The Chargers should be good. Justin Herbert is a star at quarterback, but the coach can’t figure out how to win despite rostering a lot of talent. They’ve only been to the postseason once with Herbert, blowing 27-0 lead in last year’s Wild Card game against the Jaguars.

Immediately, Harbaugh would be inserted into a team that would have the most offensive talent he’s ever had. Herbert at quarterback, Ekeler at running back, and the ageless wonder Keenan Allen at receiver is already an incredible offense to start with.

When Harbaugh first went to the NFL signing with the 49ers, it was a similar situation. He took a talented 6-10 roster incorrectly coached by Mike Singletary and went 13-3 in his first season taking San Francisco to the NFC Championship Game which was fumbled away by their kick returner Kyle Williams.

What Harbaugh does so well is boost both a team’s mental and physical toughness, changing the culture by eliminating losing tendencies which the Chargers have been caged by forever, and bringing a competitively mean defense that compliments their offense. Addressing these key Charger struggles will transform them into a contender over night.

Historically, Harbaugh tends to return to places he has roots. As a teenager he went to Palo Alto High School then later coached Stanford and the 49ers in the Bay Area. Following the questionable 49ers firing, he returned to college to coach his alma mater at Michigan. In Southern California, his first head coaching job was for the University of San Diego Toreros from 2004-2006, and he played his final career game for the San Diego Chargers. Interesting.

The hot rumor of Harbaugh coaching the Chicago Bears follows his trend of returning to places, since the majority of his playing career was for the Bears. It makes some sense, and would be a quicker move than to Los Angeles.

Why it won’t happen is the continued dysfunction of the franchise and the amount of work it’s going to take to change the team around. The Bears would take more time to nurture. Chicago has a lot of picks and cap space, but that means they have to guess right with who to pick and if Justin Fields is still their quarterback. Having to nail high profile picks, along with deciding whether to draft someone like Caleb Williams or keep Fields isn’t as easy as going to the Chargers who already surround their franchise quarterback with talent.

Joining the Chargers allows him to compete immediately in Los Angeles. Bonus, Herbert is far superior than any quarterback he coached with the 49ers, and they made three consecutive NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl. Having Herbert makes the decision easy. All he has to do is coach, with the Bears he would have to guess right on picks and go through growing pains.

Of course all of this speculation is hypothetical, depending on the severity of the punishment from the NCAA. If he can avoid a lengthy suspension or punishment that significantly hinders Michigan’s ability to compete for a championship, then Harbaugh will stay until he delivers a title to his alma mater. But, if things don’t fall in his favor, returning to California to coach the Chargers makes the most sense.