Mike Vrabel Claims He Would Have Been Next Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach If Not For Major Shift In Coach Search

In a new interview, former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel claimed he was on track to get the same job with the Los Angeles Chargers. That is until Jim Harbaugh officially tossed his hat into the team’s head coach search.

One of the biggest stories this offseason, not just for the Chargers but all of the NFL, was Jim Harbaugh ending his second run in the college ranks with the Michigan Wolverines and returning to the league. From the start, it seemed like the Los Angeles job was the only one he wanted. And he was the coach the Chargers most coveted.

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That’s why it was not a surprise when the two sides quickly came to terms on a massive five-year deal that will reportedly pay him $16 million per season. However, while the Los Angeles Chargers and Harbaugh always had eyes for one another, it seems another candidate for the job was a serious contender.

During a recent appearance on Barstool Sport’s “ Pardon My Take ,” Mike Vrabel made it seem like the LA job was his until Harbaugh joined the chase for the highly coveted Chargers gig.

Los Angeles Chargers owner called Mike Vrabel to inform him he was not going to be new head coach

Thought I had a great interview in L.A. for the Chargers, and Harbaugh decided to come back to the NFL , and that’s what Mr. Spanos and John Spanos communicated with me. And I respect them for that.

They literally called me on a speaker phone — and that rarely happens where if an owner is going to interview you and then go in a different direction that they’ll personally call you. And they were like, ‘Second place isn’t going to give you much, but wanted to tell you that we just had an opportunity to hire Jim Harbaugh.'”

– Mike Vrabel (h/t Bolt Beat )

Harbaugh was one of the biggest names in the spring head coach market. However, Vrabel is a proven commodity who has had success as a player and coach in the league. He is unlikely to stay without an NFL head coach job beyond 2025.

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