NFL
This is Jim Harbaugh's salary as the LA Chargers head coach: years left and contract details
After leading the Michigan Wolverines to a perfect 2023 season, Harbaugh returned to the NFL, taking over as head coach of the Chargers.
Jim Harbaugh agreed to take over as head coach at the Los Angeles Chargers a year ago, in a move that saw the then 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, was handed a five-year contract by the Chargers.
Per the Outkick, he is being 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. As Sportico reported, the experienced coach lies joint third on the list of highest paid coach in the league, on an annual salary of $16 million.
Chargers were excited to hire Harbaugh
A former quarterback who spent two seasons with the Chargers during his playing career, Harbaugh left 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 at the time.
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.”
Harbaugh: 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 now looks to take the Chargers to the promised land, with the franchise having never won a Super Bowl. They face the Houston Texans on Saturday and we’ll be bringing you all the action live.
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