Jim Harbaugh is set to kick off the 2024 NFL season as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Known for his memorable catchphrases as much as his on-field success, Harbaugh’s unique style was well known to the Chargers’ front office before they hired the former Michigan Wolverines head coach.
One of Harbaugh’s most famous catchphrases is widely seen as a jab at Ohio State football coach Ryan Day, who succeeded former national title-winning coach Urban Meyer in January 2017. This particular comment dates back to 2021 when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 42-27 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, marking their first victory over Ohio State in ten years.
Jim Harbaugh said he heard a lot of the things Ohio State has said about Michigan.
"Sometimes people that are standing on third base think they hit a triple, but they didn't," he said. 😮 pic.twitter.com/clCycQl7hI
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 28, 2021
After the game, Harbaugh made a remark thought to be aimed at Day, saying, “Sometimes people that are standing on third base think they hit a triple, but they didn’t.” This comment came months after Day claimed that Ohio State would “hang 100 (points)” on Harbaugh and the Wolverines during an offseason conference call.
On Tuesday, the Chargers released a preseason hype video featuring Harbaugh, where he reiterated his famous catchphrase. In the video, Harbaugh encourages his team by saying, “We want to compliment all who have earned the opportunity to get here and recognize the journey traveled, to now be playing at the highest level of football. None here were born on third base, but rather had to work their way to first, then second, then third.”
The Chargers will open the 2024 NFL preseason at home against the Seattle Seahawks, led by Harbaugh’s former Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, on August 10 at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Chargers’ first regular season game is scheduled for September 8, at home against Antonio Pierce’s Las Vegas Raiders at 4:05 p.m. ET.
