Ravens' John Harbaugh on Jim's NFL Return: Chargers 'Got Themselves One Great Coach'

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is excited about his brother Jim Harbaugh's return to the NFL as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers following his nine-year tenure as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.

The Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh on Wednesday, signing him to a reported five-year deal to replace Brandon Staley, and John took the time to address his brother's return to the NFL sidelines while speaking with reporters on Thursday.

"It's going to be great," John said. "Well deserved and I'll say this, the Chargers just got themselves one great coach."

John also joked that Jim will be required to wear Ravens gear if he attends the AFC Championship game at M&T Bank Stadium this weekend. Baltimore hosts the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in that matchup.

John previously spoke on the possibility of his brother returning to the NFL before he was hired by the Chargers. During an appearance on The Adam Schefter Podcast, John described Jim as perhaps the "best team builder in football right now."

"Nobody builds a team better. He knows how to put it together, top to bottom," John said at the time. "He knows how to include people, he knows how to make them part of it, he knows how to empower people."

Jim spent the last nine seasons as Michigan's head coach, leading the Wolverines to an 89-25 record and eight bowl game appearances in that span, including a victory in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game.

Michigan was particularly impressive over the last three seasons, going 40-3 and reaching the CFP in each season. Jim capped off a legendary run with an undefeated 15-0 2023 season and a national title.

Prior to joining Michigan, Jim served as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014, going 44-19-1 and winning an NFC title in that span. He faced his brother John in the 2013 Super Bowl, which the Ravens won 34-31.

Jim will now coach the team he ended his NFL career with. The former quarterback spent the 1999 and 2000 seasons with the Chargers and retired from playing after the 2001 campaign.

The 60-year-old inherits a talented roster that is highlighted by Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen. He'll be tasked with getting an underperforming team to reach its potential and secure a playoff berth in 2024.

Jim and the Chargers will face off against his brother John and the Ravens at some point during the 2024 season, and the matchup will surely be one to circle on the NFL calendar.