Jim Harbaugh admits being 'starstruck' during first meeting with Justin Herbert

Newly hired Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh revealed on CBS Sunday he was “starstruck” upon meeting with quarterback Justin Herbert for the first time.

“I love Michigan, but I love the NFL too. There’s no Lombardi Trophy in college football.” – Jim Harbaugh on leaving Michigan for the @Chargers pic.twitter.com/Gbc9U1ysvq

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 28, 2024

“I met him [Herbert] and Derwin James, I mean pros pros these guys, Keenan Allen — but I was a little starstruck meeting Justin,” Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh, coming off winning a National Championship at Michigan, is making the jump back to the NFL with Herbert, one of the league’s best quarterbacks, his biggest piece to build around. In just four seasons, Herbert has built up quite the resume, becoming the fastest quarterback to record 1,500 completions. He also set the record for most passing yards through his first four seasons, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. He now sits at 17,223 yards to go along with 114 touchdowns.

Despite his on-field success, Herbert and the Chargers have yet to win consistently, holding a 30-32 record in his starts. Harbaugh’s job is to change that and instill a winning culture in Los Angeles. Like the Chargers, Harbaugh is searching for his first Super Bowl championship, which he admitted heavily influenced his decision to leave Michigan.

“It was tough,” Harbaugh said. “I was torn. My wife, my kids, I love Michigan, but I love the NFL too. There’s no Lombardi Trophy in college football.”

He added: “And I’ve only got so many sands left in the hourglass. I want to take a crack at that and there’s nowhere better to do it than with the Los Angles Chargers. Susie Spanos, Dean Spanos, Ed McGuire and this great quarterback.”

Jim Harbaugh supporting brother John Harbaugh in AFC Championship Game

But before Jim Harbaugh officially gets to work in rebuilding the Chargers, he’s playing the role of supporting his older brother, John Harbaugh. The elder Harbaugh has the Baltimore Ravens one win away from Super Bowl LVIII, needing only a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game to advance.

The two brothers will even go head-to-head next season in the latest showdown pitting the two against each other. For now, the two are rooting for one another, with Jim Harbaugh in attendance Sunday.

“My thoughts are, we play them next year,” John Harbaugh said this week. “We’re looking forward to all of it. I’m just very happy for him. Proud of him, excited for him, excited for his family. … I’ll say this, the Chargers just got themselves one great coach.”