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'He's One of a Kind': Why Alex Smith is Thrilled Jim Harbaugh is Back in the NFL

Oct 21, 2024 at 10:03 AM

Eric Smith

Editorial Director

It was just like old times for Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith on Friday afternoon.

Sure, the color scheme was a bit different. And the duo was in a different part of California.

But the bond between head coach and quarterback was on full display as the two caught up and chatted after practice.

"Awesome. It's been a long time," said Smith, who was in town to film a segment ahead of Monday Night Football. "Him and I have texted a little bit over the years but it's been a long time."

The funny thing is, Smith has been keeping tabs on Harbaugh for over two decades now.

"This is somebody, I watched him play for the Chargers when I grew up," said Smith, who grew up just outside of San Diego. "Then, I obviously had the opportunity to play for him.

"From afar, I was always wondering if he would come back to the NFL and was pumped from a fan perspective when he did," he added. "For it to be with the Chargers, now we got to hang out again."

Smith and Harbaugh overlapped for two seasons in San Francisco. Harbaugh was hired in 2011 as Smith led the 49ers to a 13-3 record and an appearance in the NFC title game.

Smith went 6-2-1 as the starter in 2012 but got injured and lost his job to Colin Kaepernick as the 49ers eventually made it to the Super Bowl. Smith was traded to Kansas City in the offseason but said last week that he still has plenty of love for his old head coach.

"He can still throw it," Smith said with a laugh after the two played catch for the ESPN promo. "It's refreshing because he's just one of a kind."

And, Smith noted, he sees plenty of similarities between the old 49ers teams he was on and the current Chargers that Harbaugh is molding.

Part of that has to do with who Harbaugh has brought alongside him in Los Angeles.

Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman held the same role in San Francisco. And Smith's former teammates NaVorro Bowman, Jonathan Goodwin and Will Tukuafu are all now on the Bolts coaching staff. Chargers backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke was also with Smith in Washington in 2020.

"When I watch on Sundays and turn it on, I recognize that style of football and that brand of football," Smith said. "It's cool to see it again here."

He later added: "It's the physicality of it, starting up front on both sides of the ball with how you build your team and the identity of a football team. You can see the toughness and the resiliency on the tape. It just jumps off the screen. It's a sustainable brand of football. So many guys that were a part of that are here and it's fun to see them here transitioning into this role of coaching."

Smith also had the chance to meet Harbaugh's current quarterback in Justin Herbert, a player he raved about.

Smith, who showed tremendous resiliency while battling back from a gruesome leg injury, sounded as if he wished he could still sling it in the NFL.

"I've been such a huge fan of his from afar. He's so good and so talented and so tough," Smith said. "I know he was battling that ankle and to see him grind through it … I'm envious. He's a stud."

As the Bolts get ready for a Week 7 primetime matchup in Arizona, Harbaugh has the Chargers at 3-2 early in his first season at the helm.

Smith saw firsthand in San Francisco how Harbaugh rejuvenated the franchise and led them to be among the league's best teams.

The former quarterback believes the makings of a similar run are being planted with the Chargers under Harbaugh.

"I think there are greater things ahead here," Smith said.