49ers’ York: Jim Harbaugh ‘a Helluva Coach’; Chargers ‘Will Be Very, Very Successful’

Jack MurrayFebruary 4, 2024

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As Jim Harbaugh prepares for his second head coaching job in the NFL, his former franchise appears to be supporting him from afar.

Harbaugh is set to make his return from the collegiate ranks to the NFL after being hired as the next coach of the Los Angeles Chargers in January. This ended a very successful tenure at Michigan where he led the program to three College Football Playoff appearances and a National Championship in the 2023 season.

As the chapter with the Chargers begins, it makes sense to look back at Harbaugh’s previous NFL stint, where he was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. That tenure was very successful as well, as he compiled a 44-19-1 record and guided the franchise to three NFC Championship appearances and a Super Bowl appearance in 2012.

Despite the success, his time with the 49ers ended on an awkward note as the two sides “mutually parted ways” and it was widely reported that the decision was made due to “non-football reasons” and more to do with his conflicts with the front office.

However, it appears that time heals all wounds with this situation, as 49ers CEO Jed York said during an appearance on The TK Show podcast that he believes that Harbaugh will be a great fit with the Chargers.

“I congratulated them when they [Michigan] won the championship game,” York said. ” We’ve texted back and forth. I think Jim is a helluva coach. I think it’s a great spot for him. I’m excited for the Chargers. I think they will be very, very successful.”

York continued by saying that the Chargers have a very solid roster and that Harbaugh could be the missing piece to get that team to reach its potential.

“I think it is a team that had talent, that didn’t achieve what they hoped to,” York added. “I don’t want to speak too much about somebody else’s team, but it’s certainly a talented team. I think he has the chance to do really, really well with the Chargers.”

The Chargers went 5-12 in 2023 and missed the postseason for the fourth time in the past five seasons. This comes despite having an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert and more talented players like Keenan Allen, Rashawn Slater, Joey Bosa and Derwin James.

Los Angeles hopes Harbaugh can help this team reach new heights and contend in a tough AFC West division. As for York and the 49ers, a matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII next Sunday is fast approaching.