Chargers Coaches | Los Angeles Chargers - chargers.com

The Los Angeles Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh as the 19th head coach in franchise history, returning the former Bolts quarterback from the 1999 and 2000 seasons to Southern California. Harbaugh posted a 144-52 record as a collegiate head coach and has a 71-36-1 record as an NFL head coach. As head coach, Harbaugh led the Michigan Wolverines to a National Championship, while previously coaching the San Francisco 49ers to three-straight NFC Championship Games, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII.

The Los Angeles Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh as the 19th head coach in franchise history, returning the former Bolts quarterback from the 1999 and 2000 seasons to Southern California. Harbaugh posted a 144-52 record as a collegiate head coach and has a 71-36-1 record as an NFL head coach. As head coach, Harbaugh led the Michigan Wolverines to a National Championship, while previously coaching the San Francisco 49ers to three-straight NFC Championship Games, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII.

In six seasons as an NFL head coach, Harbaugh has coached 25 players to a combined 39 Pro Bowl appearances. Among coaches with at least 60 games coached, his .679 winning percentage in the regular season (66-31-1 record) is the ninth-best in NFL history. Harbaugh's teams have allowed just 17.9 points per game in those six seasons, the eighth-best mark for any NFL head coach with at least 80 games coached since the 1970 NFL-AFL Merger.

Harbaugh began his tenure as the Bolts' head coach with back-to-back 11-win seasons and a pair of playoff appearances, continuing his renowned reputation as a winner. Over his two years at the helm, Harbaugh coached eight different Chargers to a combined nine Pro Bowl selections. In that span, the Bolts have had the NFL's fourth-ranked defense (304.8 total net yards allowed per game) the No. 3 scoring defense (18.9 points allowed per game) and the fifth-best passing defense (193.4 net passing yards allowed per game).

In 2025, Harbaugh led the Chargers to an 11-6 regular-season record and coached five players to the Pro Bowl, including three that were named an all-star for the first time. The team posted a 5-0 record in prime-time games and a 5-1 record in the division, marking the most wins in primetime in a single season in franchise history. The five division wins were tied for the most by a Chargers team since realignment in 2002. Los Angeles' offense eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards on the season despite 10 different players appearing along the line. The unit was led by Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert, who orchestrated the Bolts rank third in the NFL and lead the AFC on third down, converting 45.8 percent of attempts (115-of-251). Herbert finished the year with 2,285 career completions, setting all-time NFL records for the most completions through the first six seasons of a career and the most completions by any player before turning 28-years old.

Herbert connected consistently with wide receivers Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey to be the NFL's only trio of receivers to each eclipse 50 catches, 700 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Allen returned to the Bolts to set the franchise receptions record (985) and eclipsed 1,000 career receptions in his 159th game, setting the all-time NFL mark for the fastest to reach that mark by more than 10 games. The veteran pass-catcher continued his excellence on third down, leading the NFL in third-down receptions (34) and receiving first downs on third down (29). Meanwhile, Johnston record his second-straight season with a team-best eight receiving scores, tied for the second-most in the AFC in 2025. Harbaugh also helped McConkey continue the impressive start to his career by tying a franchise record for the most receptions within the first two seasons of a career (148).

Defensively, the Bolts continued to be among the NFL's toughest under Harbaugh, ranking No. 5 in the NFL in both total defense (285.2 total net yards allowed per game) and passing defense (179.9 net passing yards allowed per game). The unit was also among football's most clutch, ranking inside the top five on third down (fifth) and in the red zone (fourth). Los Angeles' defense was again led by safety Derwin James Jr., who earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection and added Associated Press second-team All-Pro honors. He earned the first AFC Defensive Player of the Week of his career in the Week 3 victory over Denver after becoming the sixth NFL player and first defensive back since tackles for loss began being tracked in 2008 to have 10 solo tackles, a sack and four tackles for loss in a single game. The pass rush was led by third-year outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu enjoy a breakout season, pacing the Bolts with a career-best 13.0 sacks, 23 quarterback hits and 20 tackles for loss en route to his first career Pro Bowl nod and an All-AFC selection from the Professional Football Writers of America.

The Chargers continued to perform as one of football's best field goal units, as kicker Cameron Dicker made 38-of-41 field goals (92.7 pct.) and 34 extra points to total 148 points scored. Dicker earned the first Pro Bowl of his career and was named an All-Pro from Sporting News, becoming the seventh player in NFL history to have three consecutive seasons with at least 30 made field goals. He tied his career long and franchise record with a 59-yard field goal and twice earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, marking the fifth and sixth Special Teams Player of the Week awards of his career. Dicker continued to be the most accurate kicker in NFL history, finishing the year with 129 career made field goals on 138 attempts (93.5 pct.), the only player ever to make more than 90 percent of field goal attempts (min. 100 att.). The special teams saw linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips total 24 special teams tackles, earning second-team AP All-Pro honors as a special teamer as his 24 special teams stops ranked second in the NFL and were the most by a Charger in a season in the last 30 years.

In 2024, Harbuagh coached the Bolts to an 11-6 record in the regular season, orchestrating a six-win turnaround from the previous season, and tutored four players to earn Pro Bowl recognition. The Los Angeles offense protected the football as well as any unit in the history of football, committing just eight turnovers to set the franchise record and tie for the second-fewest offensive turnovers in a single season in NFL history. Key to that was Herbert, whose three interceptions and 0.6 interception percentage on the year were each the second-best in a season in NFL history among players with at least 450 pass attempts. Herbert also had a stretch of 357 pass attempts without an interception, the fifth-longest streak in NFL history. McConkey emerged as a premier receiving threat, setting franchise rookie records with a team-high 82 catches and 1,149 receiving yards, while also hauling in seven touchdowns. Meanwhile, the offensive line featured one the best tackle duos in football in Rashawn Slater and rookie Joe Alt.

A hallmark of Harbaugh-coached teams is a stingy defense, with the Bolts 2024 unit proving to be just that, allowing a league-best 17.7 points per game. The defense also ranked No. 5 on third down (35.7 pct.) and seventh in passing defense (206.9 net passing yards per game), while pacing the NFL in red zone defense, allowing just 18 touchdowns on 40 drives in the red zone. On top of Pro Bowl recognition, James was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December/January and was named an AP second-team All-Pro after being just one of four NFL players — and the only defensive back — to have 70 tackles, five sacks, an interception and five passes defensed in 2024. The unit was led by second-year linebacker Daiyan Henley's 142 tackles, posting a league-best nine games with at least 10 tackles. Rookie cornerbacks Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart to take over starting roles during the season, with Still earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Week 13 victory at Atlanta.

On special teams, kicker Cameron Dicker set career highs by making 39 field goals and scoring 150 points, both setting single-season franchise records by a kicker. He tied a franchise long with a 59-yard field goal and, in Week 16, he made a 57-yard fair catch free kick field goal to close the first half, believed the to be the longest such kick in history and the first make since 1976. Dicker capped the season by winning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week back-to-back in Weeks 17 and 18, his third and fourth career Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Harbaugh rejoined the Chargers after spending the previous nine years at his alma mater as head football coach for the University of Michigan. He led Michigan to an 86-25 record along with three-consecutive Big Ten Championships, three-straight appearances in the College Football Playoff and a perfect 15-0 record during his final season in Ann Arbor, Mich., that saw the Wolverines crowned 2023 National Champions.

As head coach for the Wolverines, Harbaugh coached the top defense in the nation, allowing just 291.0 yards per game in that nine-year span. Michigan had a top-five defense in the country five times over those nine seasons, including twice as the top-ranked defense in the nation. His keen eye for talent and ability to develop players was on display at Michigan, as he coached nine eventual first-round NFL Draft selections over his nine-season tenure, including defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (No. 2 in 2022), linebacker Devin Bush (No. 10 in 2019) as top-10 picks.

Harbaugh returned to his alma mater after spending four seasons (2011-14) as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, leading the team to a 49-22-1 record and three-consecutive NFC Championship Games, including a victory in 2012 to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLVII. He was named 2011 NFL Coach of the Year by The Associated Press after his first season with San Francisco, when he led the 49ers to an NFC West division crown with a 13-3 record. That season, the defense led the NFL with 38 takeaways and ranked No. 1 in rushing defense, allowing just 77.3 yards per game on the ground.

Leading the 49ers to the franchise's first NFC Championship crown in over a decade-and-a-half, a game in which San Francisco orchestrated a 17-point comeback, Harbaugh's 2012 unit led the NFC in total defense (294.4 total net yards per game) and passing defense (200.2 net passing yards per game). In 2013, Harbaugh led a resilient group that won each of their final six games to clinch a playoff spot before winning two postseason bouts and appearing in the NFC Championship Game for the third-straight season.

Harbaugh coached 17 players to a combined 30 Pro Bowls with the 49ers — the second-most Pro Bowlers in the NFL in that time. Eight of those players were also recognized as AP first-team All-Pros, including linebackers Patrick Willis (twice) and NaVorro Bowman (three times). Over Harbaugh's four years with San Francisco, the 49ers led the NFL in rushing defense (92.0 yards per game), while ranking No. 2 in scoring defense (17.4 points per game), third in total defense (310.2) and No. 4 with 122 takeaways.

Prior to being a head coach in the NFL, Harbaugh spent four years at the helm at Stanford University (2007-10) and three at the University of San Diego (2004-06). He turned around a Stanford program that went 1-11 in 2006 and led the Cardinal to 29 wins over his four seasons in Palo Alto, Calif., including a 12-win season that culminated in an Orange Bowl victory in 2010. Harbaugh broke into the head coaching ranks at San Diego, leading the Toreros to a 29-6 record in three years.

Harbaugh began his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders from 2002-03. In his first season with Oakland, the Raiders went to Super Bowl XXXVII, while quarterback Rich Gannon earned MVP honors and was named a Pro Bowler and an AP first-team All-Pro.

In 15 years as an NFL quarterback (1987-2001), Harbaugh played for five organizations, including with the Chargers from 1999-2000. He got his start in coaching while he was still playing in the NFL, working as an unpaid assistant at Western Kentucky from 1994-2001, where his father, Jack, was the head coach. Harbaugh was selected with the 25th overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft by Chicago and went on to start 140-of-177 career games played, throwing for 26,288 yards and 129 touchdowns. He led the NFL in passer rating in 1995, earning Comeback Player of the Year recognition and a Pro Bowl selection after leading the Colts to an AFC Championship Game appearance. Harbaugh eventually went to the Chargers for two seasons and is one of four Bolts quarterbacks to throw for 400 yards in a single game.

Harbaugh played quarterback at the University of Michigan, finishing his career as one of the most efficient passers in college football history. He posted a 21-3-1 record as a starter for the Wolverines, earning first-team All-American honors and finishing third in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1986. Harbaugh paced the nation in 1985 in passing efficiency rating, while his career passing efficiency rating ranked as the best in NCAA history for more than 12 years following his time at Michigan.

Harbaugh has long been an advocate for collegiate student athletes. During his time as the head coach at Michigan, Harbaugh instrumental in helping refine and create change in collegiate athletics to benefit the student athletes. He was a pioneer among collegiate head coaches in calling for changes in transfer portal rules and eligibility, NLI and profit sharing.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Harbaugh and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters — Addison and Katherine — and two sons — Jack and John. He also has three adult children — Jay, James Jr., and Grace. Harbaugh's son, Jay, is the special teams coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. He is also the younger brother of New York Giants Head Coach John Harbaugh, and the two are sons of Jack and Jackie Harbaugh.