Jim Harbaugh: Where Does He Coach, Rushing Yards and Coaching History

Jim Harbaugh is one of the most recognizable coaches in American football. A former NFL quarterback and Michigan star, Harbaugh has built a long career that includes coaching stops at San Diego, Stanford, the San Francisco 49ers and Michigan. He is also back in the NFL as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Where Does Jim Harbaugh Coach?

Jim Harbaugh currently coaches the Los Angeles Chargers as their head coach. The Chargers hired him as the 19th head coach in franchise history in January 2024. He returned to the NFL after nine seasons as Michigan’s head coach.

Harbaugh began his Chargers tenure with two consecutive 11-win regular seasons. In 2025, Los Angeles finished 11-6 and reached the playoffs. The Chargers also rushed for more than 2,000 yards that season.

Jim Harbaugh Rushing Yards

Although Harbaugh is best known as a quarterback and coach, he also accumulated rushing statistics during his NFL playing career.

According to NFL career statistics, Harbaugh recorded:

Harbaugh’s best rushing season by yardage came in 1991 with the Chicago Bears, when he ran for 338 yards on 70 attempts. He also recorded 321 rushing yards in 1990 and 277 yards in 1993.

His 41-yard rushing touchdown-free career total shows that running was a useful part of his game, even though passing remained his primary responsibility.

Jim Harbaugh NFL Playing Career

Before becoming a coach, Harbaugh spent 15 seasons as an NFL quarterback from 1987 through 2001.

The Chicago Bears selected him with the 25th overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft. He later played for the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers.

Harbaugh finished his NFL career with 26,288 passing yards and 129 touchdown passes. He started 140 of the 177 games he played.

His 1995 season with Indianapolis was particularly notable. He earned Pro Bowl recognition and NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors after helping the Colts reach the AFC Championship Game.

Jim Harbaugh Coaching History

Harbaugh’s coaching career began while he was still an NFL player. He worked as an unpaid assistant at Western Kentucky from 1994 through 2001 under his father, Jack Harbaugh.

His formal coaching career included these major stops:

Oakland Raiders

Harbaugh joined the Oakland Raiders as quarterbacks coach in 2002. In his first season, Oakland reached Super Bowl XXXVII, while quarterback Rich Gannon won league MVP and earned first-team All-Pro recognition.

San Diego

Harbaugh became a head coach for the first time at the University of San Diego in 2004.

He led the Toreros for three seasons and compiled a 29-6 record. That success helped establish him as a potential major-college and NFL head-coaching candidate.

Stanford

In 2007, Harbaugh took over at Stanford.

The program had gone 1-11 before his arrival. Harbaugh helped transform the Cardinal and finished his four-year tenure with 29 wins. His 2010 team won 12 games and defeated Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

San Francisco 49ers

Harbaugh returned to the NFL in 2011 as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

During four seasons, he produced a 49-22-1 record and took San Francisco to three consecutive NFC Championship Games. The 49ers also reached Super Bowl XLVII following the 2012 season.

Harbaugh’s first season was especially successful. San Francisco went 13-3, won the NFC West and Harbaugh was named AP NFL Coach of the Year.

Michigan

Harbaugh returned to his alma mater in 2015 and became Michigan’s head coach.

He spent nine seasons in Ann Arbor and posted an 86-25 record. Michigan won three consecutive Big Ten Championships and made three straight College Football Playoff appearances.

His final Michigan season ended with a perfect 15-0 record and a national championship in 2023.

Los Angeles Chargers

Harbaugh returned to the NFL in 2024 when he became the Chargers’ head coach.

Los Angeles went 11-6 during his first regular season and repeated that record in 2025. The Chargers’ 2025 offense surpassed 2,000 rushing yards, while the defense ranked among the NFL’s strongest units.

As of 2026, Harbaugh remains the head coach of the Chargers. His career includes major success at both the college and NFL levels, making his coaching history unusually broad for a modern football coach.

Jim Harbaugh Career Overview

Jim Harbaugh’s career has covered three different roles: NFL quarterback, college head coach and NFL head coach. His playing career produced 2,787 rushing yards, while his coaching career has included successful periods at San Diego, Stanford, San Francisco and Michigan.

Today, the Chargers are the latest chapter of that career. Harbaugh’s return to Los Angeles also brought him back to the organization where he played quarterback during the 1999 and 2000 seasons.

FAQs

Where does Jim Harbaugh coach now?

Jim Harbaugh is the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

How many rushing yards did Jim Harbaugh have?

Harbaugh finished his NFL career with 2,787 rushing yards on 561 attempts.

What was Jim Harbaugh’s coaching record at Michigan?

Harbaugh went 86-25 during his nine seasons as Michigan’s head coach.

Did Jim Harbaugh coach the 49ers?

Yes. Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 through 2014 and went 49-22-1.

Did Jim Harbaugh play quarterback?

Yes. Harbaugh played quarterback for 15 NFL seasons and also played quarterback at the University of Michigan.

Did Jim Harbaugh win a national championship?

Yes. He led Michigan to a perfect 15-0 season and the 2023 national championship.

When did Jim Harbaugh become Chargers coach?

The Los Angeles Chargers hired Harbaugh as their head coach in 2024.