Jim Harbaugh shares his enthusiasm about joining the Chargers and bids farewell to Michigan, expressing that he will forever remain a loyal Wolverine.

Jim Harbaugh, who spent nine seasons coaching at his alma mater Michigan and led the Wolverines to a national championship in his final season, is bidding farewell as he returns to the NFL.

The Chargers announced on Wednesday that Harbaugh has been hired to conclude their coaching search, signing a five-year deal. This marks his return to the NFL for the first time since his departure from the 49ers at the end of the 2014 season. Harbaugh expressed his goodbye to Michigan in a heartfelt statement on Thursday as he embarks on his NFL journey once again.

“My love for Michigan—playing there and coming back to coach there, leaves a lasting impact,” Harbaugh wrote. “I’ll always be a loyal Wolverine.” He emphasized the strong personal connections he has built at each coaching stop, including the one with the Spanos family, which played a role in his decision to join the Chargers.

“When I played for the Chargers, the Spanos family could not have been more gracious or more welcoming,” Harbaugh said. “Being back here feels like home, and it’s great to see that those things haven’t changed.”

Harbaugh’s move to the Chargers was expected, considering his ties to the franchise and the attractiveness of the job. Los Angeles is seen as one of the most appealing openings in the NFL with a well-established offense and a franchise-caliber quarterback in Justin Herbert. Harbaugh is aware of the team’s potential but acknowledges the need for defensive improvement to become a serious contender in the AFC.

In his second NFL head coaching stint, Harbaugh is focused on earning success and establishing a strong identity for the Chargers. He emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and sets his priorities as faith, family, and football.

“The only job you get at the top is digging a hole, so we know we’ve got to earn our way,” he wrote. Harbaugh is determined to bring enthusiasm and a strong work ethic to the Chargers, recognizing the organization’s commitment to winning through investments and infrastructure building.

“This organization is putting in the work—investing capital, building infrastructure, and doing everything within its power to win,” he stated. “Great effort equals great results, and we’re just getting started.”