NFL

Jim Harbaugh’s contract with the LA Chargers: salary, years, details...

After leading the Michigan Wolverines to a perfect 2023 season, Harbaugh is to return to the NFL after agreeing to take over as head coach of the Chargers.

Junfu HanUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

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Jim Harbaugh has agreed to take over as head coach at the Los Angeles Chargers, in a move that sees the 60-year-old return to the NFL after a successful nine-season spell with college football team the Michigan Wolverines.

How long is Harbaugh’s Chargers contract? How much will he earn?

Harbaugh, who previously coached in the NFL in a 2011-2014 spell at the helm of the San Francisco 49ers, has been handed a five-year contract by the Chargers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Per the Outkick, he is to be paid more than the $12.5 million a year he was reportedly offered to stay on at Michigan, but will earn less than the $18 million initially floated when he began talks with the Chargers.

Chargers “couldn’t be more excited” to hire Harbaugh

A former quarterback who spent two seasons with the Chargers during his playing career, Harbaugh leaves Michigan after steering the Wolverines to the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, in a season that saw the team post a perfect 15-0 record.

Jim Harbaugh is football personified, and I can think of no one better to lead the Chargers forward,” Los Angeles owner Dean Spanos said.

The Chargers’ president of football operations, John Spanos, added: “You don’t build a resume like Jim’s by accident, and you don’t do it by yourself. You need a team. And nobody has built a team more successfully, and repeatedly, in recent history than Jim Harbaugh. His former players swear by him, and his opponents swear at him.

“Jim is one of one, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him back in the Chargers organization as our head coach.”

Michigan chief lauds “all-time great Wolverine”

In a statement on Harbaugh’s departure from the Wolverines, Michigan’s athletic director, Warde Manuel, said: “Jim did exactly what he sought to do at Michigan: build our program to consistently win Big Ten Championships and compete for national championships, culminating with a record three-straight outright conference titles and the national championship this year.

“He did the same off the field by graduating his players and providing life experiences through mentorships, internships and team trips around the globe.

“We have been discussing a new contract that would make Jim the highest paid coach in college football. In the end, he wanted to explore and ultimately decided to pursue a return to coaching in the NFL.

“We can’t thank Jim enough for all that he has done for our student-athletes, staff and Michigan Football. He will always be a huge part of our rich history, and will be remembered as an all-time great Wolverine, as both a championship player and coach.”

Super Bowl coach with 49ers

During his time in charge of the 49ers, Harbaugh was named 2011 NFL Coach of the Year and led San Francisco to Super Bowl XLVII, which the Californians lost to a Baltimore Ravens team coached by his brother, John.

Harbaugh assumes command of a Chargers team that registered a 5-12 record in the 2023 regular season, the second worst in the AFC. The franchise has reached the playoffs just twice in the last 10 seasons, and has never won a Super Bowl.

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