Jim Harbaugh leaves Michigan for the Los Angeles Chargers after winning the national title
On January 24, 2024, Jim Harbaugh accepted the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers, leaving Michigan.
Jim Harbaugh, Chargers head coach
There’s no Lombardi Trophy in college football. I got so many sands left in the hourglass and I want to take a crack at that.
Day by day
- Jan 24, 2024Michigan’s departing coach said he would always be a loyal Wolverine.
- Same dayThe Chargers’ owner called the new coach football personified.
- Same dayMichigan’s athletic director thanked the coach for all he had done for the school’s athletes and staff.
Each day, as a table
| Date | Who | Days after the hire |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24 | ESPN; Jim Harbaugh; Dean Spanos; Warde Manuel | 0 |
The day
Warde Manuel, Michigan athletic director
We can’t thank Jim enough for all that he has done for our student-athletes, staff and Michigan Football.
Michigan athletic director’s statement, as published by WNEM
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan head coach, hired by the Chargers
My love for Michigan, playing there and coming back to coach there leaves a lasting impact. I’ll always be a loyal Wolverine
Associated Press, via The Maui News
Dean Spanos, Chargers owner
Jim Harbaugh is football personified, and I can think of no one better to lead the Chargers forward
Associated Press, via The Maui News
ESPN
Jim Harbaugh is leaving the Michigan Wolverines to accept the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
NCAA penalty, and a reaction
Aug 15 to Oct 28, 2025
Speaks for the coach or his move
Tom Mars, Jim Harbaugh’s attorney
That show-cause makes me think Jim must’ve thrown a Subway sandwich at the COI when I wasn’t looking.
Neither side
Associated Press
Jim Harbaugh, a former Michigan quarterback and now the coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, faces a 10-year show-cause order following the conclusion of his previous four-year order effective Aug. 7, 2028.
Earlier: the Big Ten and Michigan
Earlier statements
Before the hire
Big Ten Conference
… because a university football staff member engaged in an organized, extensive, years-long in-person advance scouting scheme that was impermissible.
We impose this disciplinary action even though the conference has not yet received any information indicating that Head Football Coach Harbaugh was aware of the impermissible nature of the sign-stealing scheme
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan head coach
No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules.
University of Michigan
The Conference has confirmed that it is not aware of any information suggesting Coach Harbaugh’s involvement in the allegations.
University of Michigan statement of Nov. 16, 2023, as published by FOX 2 Detroit
Related
- Dec 6, 2015Georgia hires Kirby Smart
- Nov 12, 2023Texas A&M fires head coach Jimbo Fisher
- Jan 10, 2024Saban retires; Alabama hires DeBoer
- Harbaugh leaves Michigan for the ChargersThis page
- Dec 11, 2024North Carolina hires Bill Belichick
- Same season: Michigan’s championship season
- Same coach: Jim Harbaugh’s coaching record
- More: All of History
- Same quotes, as a list
Sources
News and releases
CBS Sports, Jan 28, 2024“Chargers new head coach Jim Harbaugh admits he was ‘a little starstruck’ meeting Justin Herbert”
Said on NFL on CBS, as quoted by CBS Sports
- ABC7 San Francisco, Jan 24, 2024
“Jim Harbaugh accepts head coaching job with Chargers, sources tell ESPN”
ESPN, via ABC7 San Francisco
- The Maui News, Jan 24, 2024
“Harbaugh leaves Michigan, back in NFL with Chargers”
WNEM, Jan 24, 2024“UM president, athletic director give statements about Harbaugh’s return to NFL”
- CBS Sports, Aug 15, 2025
“Michigan sign-stealing penalties: Jim Harbaugh’s lawyer mocks NCAA in response to 10-year show-cause”
Said to CBS Sports, as quoted by CBS Sports
ClickOnDetroit, Oct 28, 2025“Michigan and coach Moore drop appeal of NCAA penalties from sign-stealing saga”
Associated Press, via ClickOnDetroit
- KTVZ (CNN), Nov 10, 2023
“Michigan football stays undefeated after Big Ten suspends coach Jim Harbaugh from sidelines over sign-stealing violations”
Big Ten Conference email to Michigan’s athletic director of Nov. 10, 2023, as quoted by CNN text on KTVZ
Statement before the Big Ten’s action, as quoted by CNN text on KTVZ (page dated Nov. 10, 2023)
- FOX 2 Detroit, Nov 16, 2023
“Michigan says settlement reached in sign-stealing case; Harbaugh to serve 3-game suspension”