Jim Harbaugh emphasizes his pride as a Michigan Man, yet certain aspects of the NFL, like the prestigious silver trophy awarded to Super Bowl champions, proved too tempting to resist.
“I love Michigan, but I love the NFL, too. There’s no Lombardi Trophy in college football,” Harbaugh said on Sunday ahead of the AFC Championship Game. “I’ve got so many sands left in the hourglass, and I want to take a crack at that. There’s nowhere better to do it than with the Los Angeles Chargers.”
These remarks mark Harbaugh’s first public comments since his decision to become the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. He shared his thoughts on a pregame show before his brother John coached the Baltimore Ravens against the Kansas City Chiefs, with the Chiefs emerging victorious to advance to the Super Bowl.
In Los Angeles, Harbaugh faces a significant challenge, taking the reins of a Chargers team that finished the season with a 5-12 record and is projected to be over $50 million above the salary cap. Despite the daunting task, he expresses excitement about the opportunity to collaborate with quarterback Justin Herbert.
“I met him, and Derwin James, and — pro’s pros these guys — and Keenan Allen,” Harbaugh said. “But I was a little starstruck, meeting Justin.”
When queried about the culture he aims to establish with the Chargers, Harbaugh drew parallels to the values he prioritized at Michigan.
