Former Michigan, current Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh projected to win NFL Coach of the Year

From College Football champion to NFL Coach of the Year? Former Michigan Wolverines and current Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh hopes it's a projection come true. The 60-year-old Harbaugh already has one NFL Coach of the Year Award in his closet, so a second would put him in rare company.

Jim Harbaugh Earns NFL Coach of the Year Award Projection

Brett Sobleski of Bleacher Report made 10 bold predictions for this coming NFL season recently, and his Harbaugh take was compelling. Harbaugh, who is tied with Raheem Morris as the early second-favorite to win the NFL Coach of the Year Award at +1000 behind Matt Eberflus, is certainly talented.

Since taking on the head coach role in 2004, Harbaugh's teams have mostly been on the winning side, with only three exceptions. Two of these were during his tenure at Stanford, where he was tasked with revitalizing a struggling program.

The other instance occurred in the season disrupted by COVID-19. Apart from these, Harbaugh has consistently led his teams to success, amassing a career record of 188-71-1.

After achieving a long-awaited national championship for his alma mater, the Michigan Wolverines, for the first time in 26 years, Harbaugh made the move to the Los Angeles Chargers, leaving the college football scene behind.

The Chargers, a team brimming with potential yet often falling below expectations, have secured double-digit wins only twice since the beginning of the 2010 season, but they have made it to the playoffs three times in that span.

The trend in the NFL shows a fondness for awarding Coach of the Year to those who significantly turn their teams around in their first year, a feat accomplished by recent winners like Sean McVay, Kevin Stefanski, and Brian Daboll.

Harbaugh is expected to establish a winning culture at the Chargers rooted in his philosophical approach to the game. Under his leadership, the team is anticipated to become more resilient, especially in their physical play, adopting a tough brand of football.

The key to unlocking this potential is quarterback Justin Herbert, whose elite capabilities, combined with Harbaugh's strategic vision, could transform the Chargers into a formidable opponent.

While it may be premature to suggest the Chargers will surpass the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, it's reasonable to expect that Harbaugh's influence will elevate the team well beyond its recent performances. His efforts will likely be recognized, marking a significant improvement in the team trajectory.