What We Learned From Jim Harbaugh's First Chargers Presser
Earlier this month, Jim Harbaugh was introduced as the Los Angeles Chargers' next head coach at his introductory press conference. The press conference revealed more insight into why Harbaugh left Michigan for the NFL along with his thoughts and plans for the Chargers.
Here are three of the top takeaways from Harbaugh's first Chargers presser:
Harbaugh, the Chargers are ready to win
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the entire conference, Harbaugh's number one goal with the Chargers is to win. Though winning of course is the primary goal with any new coach joining a team, it resonates extra when Harbaugh discusses it because he's won at every stop. Harbaugh pulled off a tremendous turnaround back in 2011 with the San Francisco 49ers, bringing them to three consecutive NFC Championship Games. He also transformed Michigan into one of college football's top teams, leading them to a National Championship earlier this year.
"That's our goal, is to treat people in a first-class manner to win multiple championships," Harbaugh said, via Chargers Communications.
For a team like the Chargers that has never won the Super Bowl and also has not won a division title since 2009, there were few coaching options that could have inspired a legit change in this franchise like Harbaugh.
Harbaugh is ready to work with Justin Herbert
Beyond winning, the other key for whoever the Chargers hired as their next coach was choosing someone who could maximize Justin Herbert's potential and ability.
They have that in Harbaugh, who has already described Herbert as a "crown jewel." Herbert of course has incredible arm talent and in general, is one of the current quarterbacks with the most upside.
"The thing that is just jumping out is this enormous talent," Harbaugh said about Herbert. "I'm waking up like real early in the morning these days going."
Harbaugh is not just looking forward to working with Herbert, but protecting him and complimenting his passing attack with a strong run game. Both of these will be beneficial to Herbert and in the quarterback's best interest.
The Chargers organization is aligned
When Harbaugh was last in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, there were a lot of rumors that his tenure fell through after disagreements between him and the 49ers front office and ownership. Regardless of what actually went on behind the scenes, the important takeaway is how aligned the current Chargers seem.
Harbaugh and new GM Joe Hortiz already appear to be on the same page, with Harbaugh noting a "Batman and Robin" approach to their relationship.
"Joe [Hortiz] is just fabulous," Harbaugh said. "He has been with the Ravens the last 16 or 17 years. Nobody knows it better, nobody knows the talent better. He does a phenomenal job."
"Now, here, my relationship with the GM, I really want to be Robin to his Batman in the offseason, then when it turns around to the season, I'll be Batman and he'll be he'll be Robin," Harbaugh added.
Harbaugh and the Spanos family also have both spoken highly of the other, adding to the alignment across the organization.
All of this looks to signal a Chargers organization that will work together, and likely not fall apart as quickly as the 49ers did at the end of his tenure there.
