Harbaugh's legacy: Immediate turn-around of troubled football programs

[Charge!]

Jim Harbaugh's top-ranked, 13-0 Michigan Wolverines are going to take on Alabama today this afternoon in the Rose Bowl, a semi-final game in the quest for the National Championship. Harbaugh's legacy has been to take over troubled football teams and immediately improve them. The Torerros weren't a losing mess when he took over, but he led them to back to back league championships in the final two of his three seasons at USD. Stanford, the 49ers and Michigan were all basket case programs when the took over, and he immediately improved them, the turn-arounds stunning.

I think there is almost 100 percent consensus among Bolts fans that Harbaugh is their favorite to take over the Chargers in 2024. If he does, there will be a collective groan among the Chiefs, Broncos and Raiders, because they will know the Chargers will immediately become a serious team with an elite QB.

Here is a look at Harbaugh's accomplishments in his four head-coaching tenures.

USD Torerros. Harbaugh had been Rich Gannon's QB coach for the Raiders in 2002-03. He took over the Torerros as HC in 2004, and led them to a 7-4 season. In 2005-6, he led the Torreros to back to back Pioneer League championships with at 22-2 record.

Stanford. Harbaugh took over a 1-11 team (2006) in 2007. The Cardinal had had only 1 winning season in the 21st century. The Cardinal improved immediately, under Harbaugh, though it took until 2009 to have his first winning season. In 2010 he lead The Cardinal to a 12-1 season, then handed a winning program to David Shaw, who continued to win with the program Harbaugh built.

49ers. Harbaugh took the 49ers from 6-10 (2010) to 13-3 in his first season as HC (2011). The 49ers had endured eight consecutive non-winning seasons. Harbaugh had the 49ers in the SB in his 2nd season. His records were 13-13, 11-4-1, 12-4, 8-8 in his 4 seasons in SF.

Michigan. Harbaugh took over a 5-7 team (in 2014) and went 10-3 in his first season (2015). Harbaugh has never had a losing season at Michigan. His Wolverines have finished first in the Big 10 the past tree seasons, with a record of 38-3, including 13-0 this season. The Wolverines are ranked #1 in the nation as they prepare to take on Alabama this afternoon in the Rose Bowl.

agree.... i would make him the NFL's highest paid coach....... right after he wins the national championship! and would give him whatever power/control he wants....

[floydefisher]

Give us a name of a non-choker head coach option

As far as looking for the next one - how has that worked out under the Spanii since they hired Al Saunders

I know this
Harbaugh or Hoodie - all things equal - meaning the roster, the injuries, schedule, everything - would be better than any other coach you can come up with if I were to wager.

Eric Bienemy.

Has two Super Bowl rings, so he knows how it's done.

He's also driven, hard-nosed but willing to learn and adapt.

And his record shows he gets results.

[Fouts2herbert]

I actually prefer that he hasn't won a Lombardi yet, as no coach has yet to win one with two teams. And I don't think a HC could overcome that plus whatever bad Chargers mojo still exists.

Also not fair to compare him to Marty. Harbaugh is 5-3 in the playoffs as was pointed out, and I don't think he has a litany of soul crushing losses on his resume (the drive, the fumble, etc etc). Dude came pretty close to beating his brother in that Super Bowl.

We deserve to see what he can do with Herbert. You saw a team yesterday that despite special teams shitting the bed, hung in there and kept grinding and eventually pulled it out. Any recent Chargers team in that situation would have folded by halftime.

He is the answer.

you might be right on the Marty comparison, at least Jim has taken a team to the SB...

[Velo]

Schefter: If an NFL team makes it worthwhile for him, he's making the jump. Spanoses doing exhaustive search, Harbaugh is just one. Spanoses will "give away the store" to Harbaugh and give him complete control if they decide Harbaugh is the best coach for their situation. (Eisen, being a Michigan alum, is not keen on Harbaugh jumping to the NFL.)

ESPN’s Adam Schefter on the Possibility of Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers | The Rich Eisen Show

[BoltAtlantic]

Eric Bienemy.

Has two Super Bowl rings, so he knows how it's done.

He's also driven, hard-nosed but willing to learn and adapt.

And his record shows he gets results.

Not going to happen. If anything, Bienemy will interview for promotion in Washington. Ron Rivera is getting canned after this week.

[AFboltfan]

If Bienemy becomes our next HC I'm going to laugh my ass off... Strictly due to all the hate he gets here. I personally would give him a chance and not really be upset about it... I'd be sad we didn't get Harbaugh, but Bienemy isn't the worst option out there.

[Bolt4Knob]

Eric Bienemy.

Has two Super Bowl rings, so he knows how it's done.

He's also driven, hard-nosed but willing to learn and adapt.

And his record shows he gets results.

Very good name. Post Harbaugh, he is right there. Might be near the top. I think he would bring discipline, would build a strong staff, and have a very good idea how to build a team. I wouldn't want him to call plays though - but he probably would.

[Bolt4Knob]

If Bienemy becomes our next HC I'm going to laugh my ass off... Strictly due to all the hate he gets here. I personally would give him a chance and not really be upset about it... I'd be sad we didn't get Harbaugh, but Bienemy isn't the worst option out there.

Totally agree - if its not Harbaugh, much worse options than Eric "Sleeping with (or Public)" Bieniemy ___|_ _|__

First touchdown the team scores if he is HC - every player would have to break out his old TD signal

[Riverwalk]

Very good name. Post Harbaugh, he is right there. Might be near the top. I think he would bring discipline, would build a strong staff, and have a very good idea how to build a team. I wouldn't want him to call plays though - but he probably would.

“Build a strong staff, build a team”. Based on what besides your projections?

Harbaugh has actually done that. Don’t need to fantasize. Spanos has already struck out with McCoy, Lynn, and Staley

it’s time to stop experimenting with successful coordinators and go with a proven, exceptional HC.

Herberts future and capability to win LA can’t be a crapshoot anymore or fans like me are done with this shitshow.

[Riverwalk]

Spanos is an idiot if he doesn’t pull out all the stops and secure Harbaugh.

Chances like this are extremely rare. Don’t fuck this up and only consider a plan b if Harbaugh refuses to come aboard even if you meet all his demands.

[Bolt4Knob]

“Build a strong staff, build a team”. Based on what besides your projections?

Harbaugh has actually done that. Don’t need to fantasize. Spanos has already struck out with McCoy, Lynn, and Staley

it’s time to stop experimenting with successful coordinators and go with a proven, exceptional HC.

Herberts future and capability to win LA can’t be a crapshoot anymore or fans like me are done with this shitshow.

Good call out

Let me say this -- I should have added "I think based on his years as a coach around the NFL, he would build a strong staff" - so yes more opinion than fact

But for me, its Harbaugh Harbaugh Harbaugh and really until he is not an option, he is the only candidate that matters to me.

[Boltx]

Spanos is an idiot if he doesn’t pull out all the stops and secure Harbaugh.

Chances like this are extremely rare. Don’t fuck this up and only consider a plan b if Harbaugh refuses to come aboard even if you meet all his demands.

I actually think Spanos will try, but Harbaugh will entertain other offers.

IMO, in order of likelihood:

1). Stays at Michigan
2). Raiders
3). Some other dark horse team... Washington?
4). Chargers