Ann Arbor, Michigan – Jim Harbaugh, the head football coach for the University of Michigan Wolverines, has a rich history in the NFL and comes from a prominent football family. Harbaugh’s coaching journey began in the AFC West after his playing career ended. He served as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders from 2002 to 2003.
Following his time with the Raiders, Harbaugh transitioned to the college level, where he found success as a head coach. He led the University of San Diego from 2004 to 2006 and then became the head coach at Stanford from 2007 to 2010. During his tenure at Stanford, Harbaugh’s success caught the attention of NFL teams, and he made the leap to the professional ranks in 2011 as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
In his first three seasons with the 49ers, Harbaugh achieved remarkable success, leading the team to the NFC Championship each year. He made history as the first coach to reach a conference championship game in their first three seasons as a head coach. Harbaugh was awarded the 2011 NFL Coach of the Year for turning around a franchise that had struggled for years. Under his leadership, the 49ers had their first winning season since 2002, finishing with a 13-3 record.
Harbaugh’s tenure with the 49ers reached its pinnacle during the 2012 season when the team reached Super Bowl XLVII. Despite a midseason quarterback change, the 49ers won a second-straight NFC West title and finished with an 11-4-1 record. The team continued its success in 2013, making it to a third consecutive NFC title game. In his time with the franchise, Harbaugh compiled an impressive 5-3 playoff record.
Before his coaching career, Harbaugh had a successful playing career as a quarterback. He played college football at the University of Michigan and went on to play 15 seasons in the NFL. Harbaugh was selected by the Chicago Bears as the 26th overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft and spent seven seasons with the team, starting in 65 games. He later played for the Indianapolis Colts and the San Diego Chargers before retiring.
Football excellence runs in the Harbaugh family. Jim’s father, Jack Harbaugh, had a storied coaching career at the collegiate level, serving as head coach at schools like Bowling Green, Iowa, and Western Kentucky. Jack led Western Kentucky to its first NCAA Division I-AA Championship and achieved success with the program during his tenure. He also joined Jim as an assistant coach at Stanford and most recently at Michigan in 2023.
Jim Harbaugh’s brother, John Harbaugh, is also a successful head coach in the NFL. He has been the head coach for the Baltimore Ravens for 16 seasons and has faced off against his brother three times, including in Super Bowl XLVII.
Jim Harbaugh’s deep football roots and his track record of success make him a respected figure in the world of coaching. As he continues to lead the University of Michigan Wolverines, college football fans can expect a high level of competitiveness and a commitment to excellence from Harbaugh and his team.