As the great lyricist Nas once said: “It was written,” destiny aligned for the Los Angeles Chargers to hire former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh to take the franchise in a new direction. It’s not often a great college head coach who has ties to the NFL becomes available. Only an egomaniac would pass on the opportunity to interview Jim. Can Los Angeles get their re-charge and finally build a contender around Justin Herbert?
For starters, Jim Harbaugh is coming off a national championship title in Michigan. One in which the program craved and was delivered with finishing 2023 undefeated. Harbaugh brings a winner’s mentality and will get the most out of his players. A former starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and briefly with the Chargers, it was only right to make this hire. The Spanos family couldn’t miss on getting a hot head coach who can turn a mid-tier team into a title contender.
In this hiring, there will be high expectations moving forward for the Chargers. No more runner-up finishes in a very tough AFC West division. With Harbaugh joining and Las Vegas hiring Antonio Pierce as the next head coach, it was win now or face harsh realities of Justin Herbert being wasted. Los Angeles needed a coach who could combat Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. Sean Payton in Denver is still a work in progress.
There was no need in holding out and seeing if the tires could be kicked on former head coaches Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel. No time to waste and assemble the best roster to compete in a very crowded AFC. With Jim Harbaugh comes a man who’ll work everyone to get on his level of coaching. This includes the front office and applying pressure in competing for titles. His NFL coaching record speaks for itself via San Francisco.
Upon being hired in 2011, the Niners went to three straight NFC title games with a Super Bowl appearance in 2012-13 against Baltimore where his brother John was head coach. Baltimore prevailed in a wild finish, and it looked like he'd be there for the long haul. Internal issues and roster changes put the franchise in turmoil due to Jim’s constant demands. He was fired after 2014; while finishing 8-8 before returning to Michigan in 2015.
Everywhere he’s been rather it was college or pro; Jim has turned teams around in a short timeframe. If the Chargers front office allows Harbaugh to coach and they draft homerun picks, it’ll be clockwork. No need to interfere with the team building concepts Harbaugh will instill. Mental toughness and perfection is what he’ll bring; you may frown now, but would you rather have a lame duck coach who relies on analytics? For the sake of Justin Herbert, his ceiling is higher and will take his game to another level.
Salary cap is a lingering issue they’ll have to handle. Releasing players and restructuring contracts is a business decision. If the window is three years, you’ve got to make these moves right away. Staying competitive is a priority in the grand scheme of things. Whoever Jim hires as his offensive staff will work to execute his offensive scheme. Defensively, it will be top ten when healthy. The defensive coordinator will have talent to work with and bring some edginess in getting both sides of the football on elite status.
Current players must buy in and put the loser’s mentality behind them. All the shortcomings of seasons past are over and done. A new head coach will bring a winner’s mentality, and everybody will enjoy being a Charger. You may say: “Jim’s tenures have been nerve-racking and overbearing.” Yes, but when you’re used to winning as he is, losing won’t be tolerated. Changing the culture and bad habits will no longer be excusable under Jim Harbaugh. Players, coaches, front office executives, all who represent the LA Chargers will be held accountable. You want to win, sacrifice, and commit to greatness in achieving this long term goal.
You’ve got a coach who’ll have the Chargers ready to play each week. Fans should embrace and enjoy the 2024 season with more wins than losses. For a fan base who was loyal in San Diego, they’ve had very little to cheer for since relocating to Los Angeles and sharing a stadium with the Rams. They’ve won a Super Bowl and pretty much leased their draft equity to get a title. The same formula can be applied to the Chargers, will they see the window to win now?
Only time will tell in the new LA Chargers and Jim Harbaugh era. If things go as planned, they’ll be competing for the AFC title in two years. Time to unplug the old USB cord and re-charge with a new one. Good luck Chargers fans, your future success.
Stai tuned.
