Harbaugh takes his talents to Los Angeles

This is actually a fascinating decision:

Jim Harbaugh did what he came to do in Ann Arbor, and now his time is up.

Harbaugh, 60, on the heels of leading Michigan football to its first national championship since 1997, will not return for a 10th season, instead pursuing a return to the NFL as he continues his quest for a Super Bowl.

Harbaugh will be leaving the Wolverines to be the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

Harbaugh had also interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach vacancy.

Harbaugh previously confirmed to the Free Press he had hired NFL-affiliated agent Don Yee — Yee represents Tom Brady and Sean Payton among other distinguished clients. Harbaugh said Yee had been “working hard” on the coach’s behalf.

It has generally been assumed that the Chargers vacancy would be the most desirable for a prospective coach because they already have a quality young QB on the roster. But in many respects this is actually kind of a shitty job:

• Herbert is a solid QB but it’s fair to say that he hasn’t quite lived up to his initial promise — last year he ranked tied for 15th in DYAR (tied with Jalen Hurts, below Baker Mayfield, Derek Carr and Geno Smith) and 10 in the PFF rankings (in between Kirk Cousins and Jared Goff.) He obviously has more upside than any of the veterans listed, but it’s not like Harbaugh is getting handed Patrick Mahomes — Herbert is going to need to take a step forward.
• My guess is that Harbaugh will get more out of Herbert than his predecessors. But the problem is that the roster is a mess–capped out, and almost all of the best players on the team are old.
• The ownership isn’t a plus either.

The gap between the expectations and the available talent makes this a fascinating hire. Harbaugh has established himself as a top-level coach in both the NFL and NCAA, but if he can succeed here it would be particularly impressive.

…Barnwell — no paywall for this one — has a good assessment.