John Harbaugh Welcomes Challenge Of Matchup Against Jim Harbaugh Next Season
The Los Angeles Chargers hiring Jim Harbaugh means that both of the Harbaugh brothers will be coaching in the NFL next season for the first time in a decade. John Harbaugh shared his reaction to his brother’s NFL return at the Baltimore Ravens’ Thursday press conference. “I’m very happy for him, proud of him, excited for him, excited for his family,” John Harbaugh said. “It’s going to be great, well deserved and I’ll say this — the Chargers just got themselves one great coach.”
John also noted that he and the Ravens will be facing Jim and the Chargers during the 2024 season at SoFi Stadium. When this game happens, it will be the third edition of the Harbaugh Bowl (Harbowl?). John and the Ravens got the best of Jim and the San Francisco 49ers in both of those matchups, defeating Jim’s team on Thanksgiving in 2011 and then in Super Bowl XLVII. Though John didn’t elaborate much in today’s press conference about eventually facing his brother again, he did speak on the topic last week before Jim was hired by the Chargers. “Eventually, [Jim’s team] will be on the schedule. There’s no doubt,” John said last week. “Those are always challenging games, because he’s such a great coach. His teams are always ready to roll. They always are. They’re always well coached. They’re always fundamentally sound. They always play super hard. They’re always connected emotionally. I think he’s the best coach in football. He’s a great coach.”
via Ryan Mink of Ravens.com With Jim now coaching for the Chargers and in the same conference as the Ravens, the two brothers should have more opportunities to face each than they did when Jim was with the 49ers, especially if Jim’s tenure with the Chargers lasts longer than his four year with the 49ers. May the best Harbaugh win.
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Ravens vs. Chargers Will Be a Brotherly Face Off in 2024
The Harbaugh family has had a fortuitous start to their 2024 so far. The Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh will be playing in the AFC Championship game on Sunday, January 28, against the Kansas City Chiefs, while his brother Jim Harbaugh has won the College Football National Championship with Michigan and now accepted the head coaching position of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Jim will be taking over an underachieving Chargers team, which ESPN insider Adam Schefter points out, “Are scheduled to play the Baltimore Ravens next season at SoFi Stadium, which now officially will be a matchup between John and Jim Harbaugh.”
John was asked about his brother coming back to the NFL on Thursday, January 25, and responded, “My thoughts are we play them next year.” Harbaugh continued by saying, “We’re looking forward to all of it.”
The Brothers have coached against one another before. Back when Jim was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers they faced off three times between 2011 and 2014.
The three faceoffs included a matchup in the Super Bowl in 2012 where the Ravens came out on top 34-31. In fact, John has never lost to his brother and has a perfect 3-0 record against Jim.
Harbaugh went on to say, “Very happy for him, proud of him, excited for him and excited for his family.”
Chargers Hoping to Bring in Jim Harbaugh Magic
The Chargers need an injection into their team following a disaster of a season in 2023. The core of this team is very talented unlike their 5-12 record this season suggests.
After coming in last place in the AFC West, they moved on from head coach Brandon Staley after what felt like repetitive disappointing seasons.
The Chargers have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Justin Herbert and have provided weapons around the young QB like WRs Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston. Furthermore, Harbaugh will also have the luxury of the 5th overall pick in the draft at his disposal to kick start any changes he wants to make.
As the 49ers coach, Harbaugh complied 44 wins, 19 losses and 1 tie in four seasons. Three of the four seasons ended with trips to the playoffs with Harbaugh at the helm.
In all three of his playoff trips Harbaugh made it at least to the NFC Championship (2011, 2012 and 2013). However, he only was able to make it to the Super Bowl one time, which did not go his way.
After leaving the 49ers he took over a downward trending Michigan team and turned the program around. The past three seasons Michigan has played in the College Football Playoff and finally brought a national title back to Ann Arbor.
Brother John finished his thoughts by saying, “I’ll say this, the Chargers got themselves one great coach.”
