COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Jim Harbaugh would be the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, leaving Michigan after capping his ninth season as coach of faculty soccer’s winningest program with the college’s first nationwide championship since 1997, two folks aware of the state of affairs advised The Associated Press.
The folks spoke to the AP on situation of anonymity as a result of the staff hasn’t made the announcement.
Harbaugh made the extremely anticipated resolution Wednesday to return to the NFL after a second interview and resume his chase for a Super Bowl that eluded him as a quarterback and coach.
He would be the first former Chargers participant to return to the staff as head coach. He performed for the Bolts in 1999-2000 earlier than retiring following the 2001 season.
Los Angeles was on the lookout for a brand new coach and common supervisor after Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco had been fired on Dec. 15, a day after a 63-21 loss in Las Vegas to the Raiders.
Harbaugh first met with the Chargers on Jan. 15. He was the eighth of 15 teaching candidates to interview with the Spanos household. He was the one one to get a second interview.
The Atlanta Falcons additionally talked to Harbaugh on Jan. 16 and had booked a second interview earlier than he determined to just accept the Chargers job.
Harbaugh was 86-25 at Michigan and restored faculty soccer’s winningest program to relevance after it slipped over a number of seasons underneath Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez following the retirement of national-championship profitable coach Lloyd Carr.
The rival Ohio State Buckeyes had an eight-game profitable streak towards the Wolverines till Harbaugh helped them snap the streak in 2021, resulting in their first of three straight Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff appearances.
Following two straight losses within the semifinals, extending Harbaugh’s winless streak in bowl video games to 6, Michigan outlasted Alabama on the Rose Bowl and pulled away from Washington to win the nationwide championship with a school-record 15-0 mark.
Michigan tried to maintain Harbaugh, providing him a brand new six-year contract for $11.5 million per season, in accordance with an individual aware of the negotiations advised The Associated Press. The individual spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to share particulars of the deal.
Harbaugh’s alma mater couldn’t provide the one factor he desperately desires — a Super Bowl title.
The Chargers have one of many league’s prime quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, however completed 5-12 this season and misplaced eight of their final 9, together with the final 5. Herbert will likely be taking part in for his fourth head coach and presumably fourth offensive coordinator in 5 seasons.
This is the primary time since 2007, when Norv Turner succeeded Marty Schottenheimer, that the Chargers have opted to go along with somebody with earlier head teaching expertise. Turner directed the staff to a few straight postseason appearances, together with the AFC championship recreation through the 2007 season.
The Chargers haven’t received a division title since 2009, which was additionally underneath Turner.
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Maaddi reported from Tampa, Florida, and Lage reported from Detroit.
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