Juwan Howard says he will be Los Angeles Chargers fan for Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh is off to the NFL, leaving those in Ann Arbor to reminisce on the good memories and lessons learned from the former Michigan football coach.

One of those people is Wolverines basketball coach Juwan Howard, who has been following Harbaugh’s career since his playing days in the NFL. According to Howard, he will continue to be a Jim Harbaugh fan after being hired by the Los Angeles Chargers.

“Well, I’m a big time Bears fan. And now I became a big time [Los Angeles] Chargers fan,” Howard said after the Iowa loss on Saturday. “But I follow Jim’s career when he was playing for the Bears, also when Jim went to San Diego, and he went to Stanford, and we know what happened with the 49ers. I was rooting for him when he was with the 49ers. I’m not gonna tell you who I was rooting for when the brothers played in the Super Bowl. But we all know how I supported him while he was here and that support will follow.”

Harbaugh has won at every level he’s coached at — and the expectation in LA will be no different. Even through two suspensions, Harbaugh still was able to make the most out of the 2023 college football season. While a lot could be made of Harbaugh’s final season in Ann Arbor, at the same time there’s no denying that Harbaugh turned Michigan football from a mid-level Big ten program into the team to beat in the College Football Playoff.

Under his guide, the Wolverines defeated Ohio State in three-straight seasons, won every Big Ten Champions over that stretch and made the College Football Playoffs in each of those three years as well. Of course, 2024 culminated with the Wolverines’ long-awaited national championship trophy.

“When he moved on to LA, he made the right decision that was best for his family,” Howard continued. “He did something that was so special. That’s so hard to do. A perfect season, win three-straight Big Ten titles in three-straight years and a national title. It’s hard, and I know how hard it is to win on that level.

“Jim is proven and he will go down in history as one of the best coaches that will coach the game of football. Then also, one of the best coaches ever coach in college football as well as University of Michigan. Thank you, Jim.”

As Harbaugh gets situated in the NFL, Michigan’s basketball team is set to round out its January schedule with a rivalry matchup on the road against Michigan State. Tip-off is scheduled for Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.