Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh (born December 23, 1963) is an American football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League & former head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, the team representing the University of Michigan from 2015 to 2023. Before returning to Michigan, where he had played in college, he coached the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League to a Super Bowl. Harbaugh is also a former NFL quarterback.

Football career
Harbaugh was previously a quarterback in the NFL, and had a mediocre playing career in the 1990s. After his playing days were over, Harbaugh became a coach. He was notably the head coach of the Stanford Cardinal in college football. Harbaugh was known for his energetic style. He was then hired by the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL to be their head coach.

In a game against the Detroit Lions (49ers win), a postgame handshake made national news. In the game, Harbaugh challenged a scoring play. However, under NFL rules, scoring plays are always reviewed. Detroit coach Jim Schwartz reportedly screamed a curse. After San Francisco won, the coaches went to midfield to shake hands. However, Schwartz accused Harbaugh of "smacking his back and shaking his hand too hard." Shartz chased Harbaugh down the field, and they had to be separated. This is often called "The Handshake Game."

Harbaugh later led the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship. He won the NFL Coach of the Year award for taking a struggling team (and quarterback, in Alex Smith) and taking them deep into the playoffs. Jim also adopted a chant used by his father. It has regularly been referenced in the 49ers' locker rooms. It goes: "Whooo's got it better than us?" Answer: Nooooobody!

He left the 49ers after the 2014 NFL season and returned to Michigan as the Wolverines' new head coach.

Personal
Jim Harbaugh is part of the famous Harbaugh coaching tree that includes father Jack Harbaugh and older brother John Harbaugh.

References

Sources
 Much Ado About a Handshake-New York Times
 Jim Harbaugh is your coach of the year-Pro Football Talk.com
Jim Harbaugh to San Francisco 49ers-ESPN

Category:1963 births
Category:Living people
Category:National Football League coaches
Category:American football coaches
Category:Sportspeople from Ohio
Category:San Francisco 49ers
Category:College football coaches