Jim Harbaugh introduced as Chargers head coach: Five takeaways from press conference

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers officially introduced Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach on Thursday. Harbaugh’s introductory press conference wasn’t a normal event.

The Chargers typically conduct their press conferences at their temporary team facility in Costa Mesa. But Harbaugh’s return to professional football fresh off a college football national championship at Michigan sent shockwaves around the football landscape. Fittingly, the Chargers chose SoFi Stadium’s YouTube Theater as the venue for Harbaugh’s initial press conference roughly 40 miles north of their temporary team headquarters.

USA TODAY Sports was at the scene for Harbaugh’s introductory press conference with the Chargers. Here are five takeaways from Harbaugh’s high-profile event:

Gratitude

Gratitude was the first word Harbaugh used to describe what it meant to him to be the Chargers head coach. Harbaugh thanked Chargers owner Dean Spanos, the Spanos family, members of the organization and his family among others at his introductory press conference.

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In very Harbaugh fashion, he cited Morgan Freeman' and his character in the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" as an analogy to describe his feelings.

“Excited. If I could describe it to you, it would be like Morgan Freeman in 'The Shawshank Redemption',” Harbaugh said. “I’m so excited I can’t sit still or hold a thought in my head, what a free man would feel before a long journey. I just want to make it across the border and shake my friend’s hand. That’s how I feel. I want to win and I want to win the right way. I want to treat people in a first-class way and get really good at football.”

Change culture

The Chargers finished 2023 a disappointing 5-12 and fired coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco midseason. The Chargers have only reached the postseason three times since 2010 and are one of 12 NFL teams to have never won a Super Bowl.

It’s evident the Chargers are attempting to establish a winning franchise. Harbaugh was asked how he envisions changing the culture. While he admitted he doesn’t have a "magic formula," he told the media it’s going to take a team effort.

“The team, the team, the team. It’s gonna take a team effort. There won’t be any magic formula. The only ones I know of are good old fashion hard work and teamwork,” Harbaugh said. “And that’s the vision that I received from the Spanos family. This has to be done like a team.”

Part of the Chargers' culture change is a new facility. The Chargers plan to move into a permanent new team facility in nearby El Segundo later this year.

Justin Herbert: 'A crown jewel'

It’s no secret Harbaugh is a big Justin Herbert fan. Harbaugh said recently on CBS that he was starstruck when he first met the Chargers franchise quarterback. The new Chargers head coach is in the process of watching every single throw of Herbert’s NFL career.

“The pros on this team. Justin Herbert, he’s a crown jewel in the National Football League,” Harbaugh said. “The thing that’s jumping out is this enormous talent.”

Herbert’s 2023 season ended after just 13 games due to a season-ended fractured right index finger. Herbert’s 17,223 passing yards are the most ever by a QB in his first four seasons.

Building blocks

Along with Herbert, Harbaugh unprovokedly highlighted three other players on the Chargers roster.

“Derwin James, there’s another one. Talk about somebody getting me fired up, lets go,” Harbaugh said. “Keenan Allen, we got guys. Rashawn Slater, it’s good to see him in the building getting work in. ... I got to bring my A game in every sense of the word. I got to get a coaching staff put together and hired that’s gonna be worthy of coaching not only Justin but Derwin and all the guys. I really think this is a talented group assembled here.”

Harbaugh’s mention of current Chargers players is notable because changes are expected on the roster. The Chargers are entering the 2024 season roughly $45 million over the salary cap, per Over The Cap.

Why Harbaugh departed Michigan

Harbaugh won a national title at Michigan on Jan. 8. On Jan. 24, the Chargers named him head coach. Harbaugh disclosed why he ultimately decided to leave college football for a return to the NFL.

"I said this the other day, but I've only got so many sands left in the hourglass, and I want another shot," Harbaugh said. "I want another shot to be simply known as world champions. The Lombardi Trophy. That's my mission."

Michigan promoted Sherrone Moore to be the university’s 21^st head coach following Harbaugh departure. Moore served on Harbaugh’s Michigan staff since 2018. He is the first Black head coach in the history of Michigan’s football program. Harbaugh gave his protégé a rousing endorsement.

“Sherrone (Moore) is the right man for the job,” Harbaugh said. “That’s the guy and they got it right.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.