After leading the Michigan Wolverines to a national title, head coach Jim Harbaugh has vaulted to the NFL, becoming the next head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. But even though he’s leaving Michigan, that doesn’t mean the university won’t always have a place in his heart.
On Wednesday evening, Jim Harbaugh released a statement on his decision to join the Los Angeles Chargers, making it clear that while he is excited about the opportunity with the Chargers, he’ll “always be a loyal Wolverine.”
“My love for Michigan, playing there and coming back to coach there, leaves a lasting impact. I’ll always be a loyal Wolverine,” Harbaugh said in a statement according to Pro Football Talk. “I’m remarkably fortunate to have been afforded the privilege of coaching at places where life’s journey has created strong personal connections for me. From working as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky alongside my father, Jack, and time as an assistant with the Raiders, to being a head coach at USD, Stanford, the 49ers and Michigan — each of those opportunities carried significance, each felt personal. When I played for the Chargers, the Spanos family could not have been more gracious or more welcoming. Being back here feels like home, and it’s great to see that those things haven’t changed.
“The only job you start at the top is digging a hole, so we know we’ve got to earn our way. Be better today than yesterday. Be better tomorrow than today. My priorities are faith, family and football, and we are going to attack each with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. This organization is putting in the work — investing capital, building infrastructure and doing everything within its power to win. Great effort equals great results, and we’re just getting started.”
Harbaugh was one of the most successful coaches in the country at the college level. We’ll have to see how he fares at the NFL level.
