Jim Harbaugh reflects on shape he left Michigan in, what it would have taken to stay

Jim Harbaugh was officially introduced as the new head coach for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday afternoon, getting a chance to meet with local media out west after leaving the Michigan program.

Coming off a national title, Harbaugh was essentially Michigan royalty but opted to enter the pros to try his hand at winning a Super Bowl again. He believes he left the Michigan program in good hands with new coach Sherrone Moore.

“Nobody else would be (right), that’s their guy. They got it right,” Jim Harbaugh said. “And he’s been operating the team right now, top five team. I still think of it as one, Chargers and Michigan Wolverines, like one team. In a great place. In a great place.”

But while Harbaugh has made it a point to say that he wants there to be a strong pipeline between Michigan and the Chargers, there is a stark reality that they are two different organizations.

And as Harbaugh staffs up his Los Angeles crew, he may be directly pulling from Michigan in some instances. Two high-profile staffers are already known to be following him.

“Coaches like Jesse Minter, he’s a tremendous coach,” Harbaugh said. “We’re going through a process right now. Ben Herbert, I can confirm that he’s going to be a Charger. Love the passing of the time while he was there. Right there in the blue M, right there in the middle of the weight room. So I’m always going to be a loyal Wolverine.”

Harbaugh will always be viewed in a favorable light with the Michigan faithful, and it’s easy for him to feel close to the program right now, just weeks removed from winning that national title.

He knows it won’t always feel that close, but that’s a sacrifice he was willing to take. Especially knowing Michigan is in such good hands with Moore.

“Much like with players leaving the university, going to the pros, there’s a passing of time that takes place,” Jim Harbaugh said. “You see JJ leave and then I see Alex Orji the next day on the field throwing with receivers and there’s an excitement there involved in that as a player when the quarterback ahead of me left, graduated. It’s the same for coaches.

“But Sherrone, he’s on. The guy is on fire right now. He’s working recruiting.”

Pipeline or not, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Michigan fan out there that wouldn’t have killed to see Harbaugh stick around for another few years.

The new Chargers coach was asked directly if there was anything Michigan could have done to keep him.

“This year was great, like I said,” Jim Harbaugh said. “Michigan, I have a great love for Michigan and a great love for the NFL. This opportunity is something, a challenge that is, that I wanted.”