HEADLINES

Jay Harbaugh

Seahawks To Hire Jay Harbaugh As Special Teams Coordinator

February 5th, 2024 at 12:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

When signs were pointing to Jim Harbaugh landing the Chargers’ head coaching position, his son Jay was floated as a logical candidate to join him as special teams coordinator. The latter is indeed making the jump to the NFL, but not in Los Angeles.

Harbaugh is set to join the Seahawks as their special teams coordinator, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. He has been with Michigan under Jim Harbaugh since 2015, and much of his tenure with the Wolverines has included time as special teams coordinator. Jay has held that title since 2017, while also serving as a position coach (running backs, tight ends and safeties) at various points along the way.

Once it became clear Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers were talking terms on a contract and candidates to fill out his staff, Jay was reported as a top option for the role of ST coordinator in L.A. The Chargers have indeed matched expectations by hiring Greg Roman in a top offensive role, but today’s news confirms that the younger Harbaugh will not be joining him. Instead, incumbent ST coordinator Ryan Ficken will be retained, as KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson recently reported would likely be the case.

Jay Harbaugh, 34, and new Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald worked together at Michigan when the latter spent the 2021 season as the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator. Macdonald excelled in the DC post with the Ravens for two years, and his success in that role has now helped him become the youngest head coach in the NFL. Macdonald will have a familiar face in at least one coordinator spot on his initial staff.

Seattle’s third phase units had been guided by Larry Izzo for the past three seasons, after he had spent the previous three years as an assistant on special teams. The Seahawks allowed their staffers to seek out new opportunities once it was announced Pete Carroll would return, however. Seattle ranked eighth in special teams DVOA in 2023, and Harbaugh will look to at least match that level of success as the Seahawks aim to return to the postseason. This will mark his first full-time NFL gig as Macdonald’s staff begins to take shape.

Chargers, Jim Harbaugh Meeting For Second Time; Parties Working Toward Agreement?

January 23rd, 2024 at 11:42am CST by Adam La Rose

Jim Harbaugh‘s second interview with the Chargers marks another important milestone in his presumed return to the NFL. The latest update on the situation points to an agreement potentially being on the horizon.

Harbaugh’s second interview is taking place today, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes (video link). It was reported yesterday that the parties would meet for a second time, so it comes as little surprise that a follow-up has been worked out rather quickly.

Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo adds that Los Angeles has made an “extremely strong offer” to Harbaugh, whose value has spiked in the wake of an undefeated, championship-winning season at Michigan. He is still in the process of negotiating a new Wolverines extension, but interest involving the Chargers is not seen as a mere ploy to leverage a better incentive package, Garafolo explains.

Rather, talks between Los Angeles and Harbaugh have progressed to the point where coaching and front office staffs are being discussed. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, Greg Roman could be a top candidate to take on offensive coordinator duties. A Harbaugh-led Chargers staff could also, to little surprise, include familiar faces at the other coordinator spots. Wilson names Michigan DC Jesse Minter and Harbaugh’s son Jay as options to lead L.A.’s defense and special teams, respectively.

Harbaugh has been connected to the Chargers early and often this year, and a report pointed to him being particularly interested in the Los Angeles gig. The team, in turn, is believed to be the favorite to land him in the event he does indeed return to an NFL sideline. Harbaugh has been at Michigan since his 49ers tenure came to an end in 2014. His four-year tenure in the Bay Area included a .695 winning percentage and a Super Bowl appearance, though, and his strong performances have continued with the Wolverines in recent years in particular.

Harbaugh also has a second interview scheduled with the Falcons, but the urgency which the Chargers appear to be showing could make that meeting a moot point. As Pelissero notes, Los Angeles has satisfied the Rooney Rule’s requirements of in-person interviews with at least two external minority candidates. As a result, an agreement with Harbaugh (or any other coach) could take place at any time.

The 60-year-old met with the Vikings and Broncos over the past two hiring cycles, keeping his name in the conversation for a jump from the college game back to the pros. Neither case saw that take place, but Harbaugh’s contract demands with Michigan and his decision to hire an agent have pointed to 2024 as being a strong possibility for his return date regarding an NFL gig.

Harbaugh finished his playing career with the Chargers, and a return to the franchise in a coaching capacity could give the team a high-profile Brandon Staley replacement. Los Angeles has not met for a second time with any other candidate, and CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes the team was expected to issue requests at some point this week. That has yet to take place, another sign that Harbaugh may soon be tapped as the Chargers’ next head coach.