Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Jim Harbaugh as Head Coach.

Source: www.chargers.com

Jim Harbaugh

The Los Angeles Chargers today agreed to terms with Jim Harbaugh as head coach. A former quarterback for the Chargers during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Harbaugh spent the past nine years at his alma mater as head football coach for the University of Michigan. Harbaugh rejoins the Chargers after having led Michigan to three consecutive Big Ten Championships, three straight appearances in the College Football Playoff and a perfect 15-0 record this past season that saw the Wolverines crowned 2023 National Champions.

"Jim Harbaugh is football personified, and I can think of no one better to lead the Chargers forward," said Owner and Chairman of the Board Dean Spanos. "The son of a coach, brother of a coach and father of a coach who himself was coached by names like Schembechler and Ditka, for the past two decades Jim has led hundreds of men to success everywhere he's been — as their coach. And today, Jim Harbaugh returns to the Chargers, this time as our coach. Who has it better than us?"

"You don't build a resume like Jim's by accident, and you don't do it by yourself," said President of Football Operations John Spanos. "You need a team. And nobody has built a team more successfully, and repeatedly, in recent history than Jim Harbaugh. His former players swear by him, and his opponents swear at him. Jim is one of one, and we couldn't be more excited to have him back in the Chargers organization as our head coach."

Harbaugh brings with him a winning culture, posting a 144-52 record as a collegiate head coach and a 49-22-1 record as an NFL head coach. In four years, he led the San Francisco 49ers to three-straight NFC Championship Games, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII.

With a keen eye for talent and an ability to develop players, Harbaugh coached nine eventual first-round selections over his nine-season tenure at Michigan (2015-23). Over the course of his four seasons (2011-14) with San Francisco, Harbaugh coached 17 players to a combined 30 Pro Bowl selections — the second-most Pro Bowlers in the NFL in that time. Eight of those players were also recognized as first-team All-Pro selections from The Associated Press, including linebackers Patrick Willis (twice) and NaVorro Bowman (three times).

"My love for Michigan, playing there and coming back to coach there, leaves a lasting impact. I'll always be a loyal Wolverine," said Harbaugh. "I'm remarkably fortunate to have been afforded the privilege of coaching at places where life's journey has created strong personal connections for me. From working as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky alongside my father, Jack, and time as an assistant with the Raiders, to being a head coach at USD, Stanford, the 49ers and Michigan — each of those opportunities carried significance, each felt personal. When I played for the Chargers, the Spanos family could not have been more gracious or more welcoming. Being back here feels like home, and it's great to see that those things haven't changed.

"The only job you start at the top is digging a hole, so we know we've got to earn our way. Be better today than yesterday. Be better tomorrow than today. My priorities are faith, family and football, and we are going to attack each with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. This organization is putting in the work — investing capital, building infrastructure and doing everything within its power to win. Great effort equals great results, and we're just getting started."

One of the most accomplished coaches in football, Harbaugh led Michigan to an 86-25 record in his nine seasons as head coach. His teams topped 10 wins six times and made three consecutive CFP appearances from 2021-23, winning the national title this past season and setting a school record with 15 wins. Since taking over as head coach for the Wolverines in 2015, Harbaugh coached the top defense in the nation, allowing just 291.0 yards per game in that span. Michigan had a top-five defense in the country five times over those nine seasons, including twice as the top-ranked defense in the nation.

Harbaugh was named 2011 NFL Coach of the Year by The Associated Press after his first season with San Francisco when he led the 49ers to an NFC West division crown with a 13-3 record. That season, the defense led the NFL with 38 takeaways and ranked No. 1 in rushing defense, allowing just 77.3 yards per game on the ground. The team made a deep playoff run to its first of three-straight NFC Championship Game appearances, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII in 2012. In Harbaugh's four years with San Francisco, the 49ers led the NFL in rushing defense (92.0 yards per game), while ranking No. 2 in scoring defense (17.4 points per game), third in total defense (310.2) and fourth with 122 takeaways.

Prior to being a head coach in the NFL, Harbaugh spent four years at the helm at Stanford University (2007-10) and three at the University of San Diego (2004-06). He turned around a Stanford program that went 1-11 in 2006 and led the Cardinal to 29 wins over his four seasons in Palo Alto, Calif., including a 12-win season that culminated in an Orange Bowl victory in 2010. Harbaugh broke into the head coaching ranks at San Diego, leading the Toreros to a 29-6 record in three years.

Harbaugh began his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders from 2002-03. In his first season with Oakland, the Raiders went to Super Bowl XXXVII, while quarterback Rich Gannon earned MVP honors and was named a Pro Bowler and an AP first-team All-Pro.

ews Home 5 Takeaways Bolts Buzz Mailbag From the Podium A Conversation With Longforms Transactions New Practice Facility Gameday Magazine BREAKING NEWS Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Jim Harbaugh as Head Coach A former quarterback for the Chargers during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Harbaugh spent the past nine years at his alma mater as head football coach for the University of Michigan. Harbaugh rejoins the Chargers after having led Michigan to three consecutive Big Ten Championships, three straight appearances in the College Football Playoff and a perfect 15-0 record this past season that saw the Wolverines crowned 2023 National Champions. More Chargers Official Site | Los Angeles Chargers - chargers.com Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Jim Harbaugh as Head Coach Jan 24, 2024 at 05:11 PM Social_Profile_Pic Chargers Communications web CP - 1920x1080 The Los Angeles Chargers today agreed to terms with Jim Harbaugh as head coach. A former quarterback for the Chargers during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Harbaugh spent the past nine years at his alma mater as head football coach for the University of Michigan. Harbaugh rejoins the Chargers after having led Michigan to three consecutive Big Ten Championships, three straight appearances in the College Football Playoff and a perfect 15-0 record this past season that saw the Wolverines crowned 2023 National Champions. "Jim Harbaugh is football personified, and I can think of no one better to lead the Chargers forward," said Owner and Chairman of the Board Dean Spanos. "The son of a coach, brother of a coach and father of a coach who himself was coached by names like Schembechler and Ditka, for the past two decades Jim has led hundreds of men to success everywhere he's been — as their coach. And today, Jim Harbaugh returns to the Chargers, this time as our coach. Who has it better than us?" "You don't build a resume like Jim's by accident, and you don't do it by yourself," said President of Football Operations John Spanos. "You need a team. And nobody has built a team more successfully, and repeatedly, in recent history than Jim Harbaugh. His former players swear by him, and his opponents swear at him. Jim is one of one, and we couldn't be more excited to have him back in the Chargers organization as our head coach." Harbaugh brings with him a winning culture, posting a 144-52 record as a collegiate head coach and a 49-22-1 record as an NFL head coach. In four years, he led the San Francisco 49ers to three-straight NFC Championship Games, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII. With a keen eye for talent and an ability to develop players, Harbaugh coached nine eventual first-round selections over his nine-season tenure at Michigan (2015-23). Over the course of his four seasons (2011-14) with San Francisco, Harbaugh coached 17 players to a combined 30 Pro Bowl selections — the second-most Pro Bowlers in the NFL in that time. Eight of those players were also recognized as first-team All-Pro selections from The Associated Press, including linebackers Patrick Willis (twice) and NaVorro Bowman (three times). "My love for Michigan, playing there and coming back to coach there, leaves a lasting impact. I'll always be a loyal Wolverine," said Harbaugh. "I'm remarkably fortunate to have been afforded the privilege of coaching at places where life's journey has created strong personal connections for me. From working as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky alongside my father, Jack, and time as an assistant with the Raiders, to being a head coach at USD, Stanford, the 49ers and Michigan — each of those opportunities carried significance, each felt personal. When I played for the Chargers, the Spanos family could not have been more gracious or more welcoming. Being back here feels like home, and it's great to see that those things haven't changed. "The only job you start at the top is digging a hole, so we know we've got to earn our way. Be better today than yesterday. Be better tomorrow than today. My priorities are faith, family and football, and we are going to attack each with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. This organization is putting in the work — investing capital, building infrastructure and doing everything within its power to win. Great effort equals great results, and we're just getting started." One of the most accomplished coaches in football, Harbaugh led Michigan to an 86-25 record in his nine seasons as head coach. His teams topped 10 wins six times and made three consecutive CFP appearances from 2021-23, winning the national title this past season and setting a school record with 15 wins. Since taking over as head coach for the Wolverines in 2015, Harbaugh coached the top defense in the nation, allowing just 291.0 yards per game in that span. Michigan had a top-five defense in the country five times over those nine seasons, including twice as the top-ranked defense in the nation. Harbaugh was named 2011 NFL Coach of the Year by The Associated Press after his first season with San Francisco when he led the 49ers to an NFC West division crown with a 13-3 record. That season, the defense led the NFL with 38 takeaways and ranked No. 1 in rushing defense, allowing just 77.3 yards per game on the ground. The team made a deep playoff run to its first of three-straight NFC Championship Game appearances, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII in 2012. In Harbaugh's four years with San Francisco, the 49ers led the NFL in rushing defense (92.0 yards per game), while ranking No. 2 in scoring defense (17.4 points per game), third in total defense (310.2) and fourth with 122 takeaways. Prior to being a head coach in the NFL, Harbaugh spent four years at the helm at Stanford University (2007-10) and three at the University of San Diego (2004-06). He turned around a Stanford program that went 1-11 in 2006 and led the Cardinal to 29 wins over his four seasons in Palo Alto, Calif., including a 12-win season that culminated in an Orange Bowl victory in 2010. Harbaugh broke into the head coaching ranks at San Diego, leading the Toreros to a 29-6 record in three years. Harbaugh began his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders from 2002-03. In his first season with Oakland, the Raiders went to Super Bowl XXXVII, while quarterback Rich Gannon earned MVP honors and was named a Pro Bowler and an AP first-team All-Pro. In 15 years as an NFL quarterback (1987-2001), Harbaugh played for five organizations, including with the Chargers from 1999-2000. He got his start in coaching while he was still playing in the NFL, working as an unpaid assistant at Western Kentucky from 1994-2001, where his father, Jack, was the head coach. Harbaugh was selected with the 25th overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft by Chicago and went on to start 140-of-177 career games played, throwing for 26,288 yards and 129 touchdowns. He led the NFL in passer rating in 1995, earning Comeback Player of the Year recognition and a Pro Bowl selection after leading the Colts to an AFC Championship Game appearance. Harbaugh eventually went to the Chargers for two seasons and is one of four Bolts quarterbacks to throw for 400 yards in a single game.

 

Dejection in Dortmund as Bundesliga title dream collapses after Bayern late show.

DORTMUND, Germany -- The T-shirts celebrating Borussia Dortmund's 2022-23 Bundesliga triumph had already been printed in their thousands, some already worn by fans before Saturday's match against Mainz had started. The title celebrations had been meticulously planned for Sunday as the city braced for 500,000 people to arrive. With a two-point lead over Bayern Munich, needing to win or match their result vs. Cologne on the final day, the script was perfectly written for Dortmund to end their rivals' 10-year stranglehold on the Bundesliga title. But it was missing the final page.

Dortmund could have sold out the Westfalenstadion five times over. All they had to do was beat Mainz, then it wouldn't matter what Bayern did. The fairy tale was 99% finished. But instead of the final page being signed off with a black-and-yellow flourish, they found themselves down 2-0 inside 24 minutes. And when hope returned via an equaliser for 1-1 in Cologne, it was torched by Jamal Musiala's 89th-minute winner for Bayern.

It was a brutal, cruel twist. As Musiala's stunning shot found the bottom corner of the Cologne net, Dortmund's title hopes collapsed. Buoyed briefly by Gio Reyna's introduction off the bench, their late flourish to claw back a 2-2 draw meant nothing. And the 81,365 inside the Westfalenstadion were sucked back into a black hole of German football inevitability where whatever happens, whatever turbulence is endured, the Bundesliga title ends up back at Bayern -- their 11th in a row now.

The Dortmund fans streaming into the stadium early on Saturday were in a celebratory mood. The place was rammed, the concourses packed six hours before kickoff. Songs were sung, memories regaled, football demons ready to be exorcised. When you're the perennial bridesmaids -- the last time Dortmund won the title was back in Jurgen Klopp's days in 2011-12 -- you have to enjoy your moment in the sun when it comes. 

 Dortmund have seen superstars come and go, snaffled up by bigger fish -- more often than not by Bayern. But this was to be a line in the sand, a moment when most of the other teams in the Bundesliga united behind the end to a collective wait for a new name on the shield. But instead of celebrations, there will be agonising moments from this match replayed. Shots of the golden confetti that littered the pitch pre-kick-off will have a mournful soundtrack, morphed with Mainz's two first-half goals, which gave them a shock 2-0 lead after some woeful defending.

Borussia Dortmund fell at the final hurdle after failing to beat Mainz. Bernd Thissen/picture alliance via Getty Images

There'll be the moments of dreadful serendipity such as Sebastien Haller's missed first-half penalty, at 1-0 down, and when he failed to get a toe on the ball as it crept past an open net in the 58th minute. There was Marco Reus' header from 6 yards out soon after, which somehow floated over the bar. There were their two goals, too little and too late in the 69th and 96th minutes. But also the countless raids on Mainz's box where it's hard to see how they didn't end up with the title-clinching goals (29 shots, 10 on target in the end.)

It was a match that defied logic -- the stats paint some of this picture, sport isn't sentimental, but that's why we love the theatre. And the final 10 minutes were breathless.

The swinging nature of the final day meant that despite Dortmund losing 2-1 in the 80th minute, when news of Cologne's equaliser cascaded through the stands, the party was back on. A draw for Bayern meant the result was immaterial in Dortmund -- the trophy was back in North Rhine-Westphalia.

For nine minutes there was belief again, the T-shirts unboxed; Dortmund had renewed vigour and manager Eden Terzic was caught between the emotions of willing his players on while telling them what was going on at Cologne. It was surely to be their time again. Until it wasn't.

When Musiala scored that 89th-minute winner, the cheers were swapped for the sound of tables slapped, chairs hammered, as once again the title was tugged from their grasp. As Dortmund continued throwing everything at Mainz, playing a 2-0-8 formation (including Emre Can in every position), supporters were craning their necks for information about what was going on at Cologne. They clutched the backs of their heads, pinched cigarettes tighter and shattered plastic glasses. Others were overwhelmed and sunk into their seats, willing for another goal or two to make it moot. 

 On the pitch, substitute Julien Duranville tried all he could from his mini box of tricks. Anthony Modeste, Youssoufa Moukoko and Haller played on the offside line, Reyna prodded and probed, but whatever they tried, the Yellow Wall couldn't will the ball in. The German football gods dressed in red and blue were defiant and a party ruined.

 "It's difficult to find the right words," Terzic said afterward. "We feel empty because we knew about the chance, you could feel the energy within the stadium and city. We all wanted it so hard. We were so close -- just one goal was missing, it was one goal in the other stadium that was missing, we knew we were 90 minutes away from lifting the trophy. This is the game we fell in love with as kids. Sometimes it's hard to miss a penalty, to conceded two early goals, and all of a sudden it feels so heavy. But we tried our best and unfortunately it wasn't enough.

Jude Bellingham wasn't fit enough to play and had to watch on from the bench. Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

In Dortmund, this will sting for months to come. Yet there are so many reasons for optimism. It was a season of inspirational figures such as Haller's debut in January after he had undergone chemotherapy for testicular cancer. It was nine months where 19-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham -- so missed against Mainz because of injury -- had the league on a piece of string. It was the campaign where boyhood fan Terzic had got the Yellow Wall behind a team combining exciting youngsters and ageless old pros such as Mats Hummels and Marco Reus.

That appreciation will seep through in time, but it was a desolate place after full time. For 10 minutes, the Dortmund players sat isolated on the turf like a group of grounded, lost bees. Then the Yellow Wall re-found their voice, responded in unison in a symbol of defiance. Raphael Guerreiro's head hadn't risen from his chest, but as they sung, he peeked at the fans. Hummels stood, hands on hips, looking at the group who had hoped to be celebrating, while Reus picked himself up to join his distraught teammates. Others walked in a slow, mournful circle, but as Hummels took a step forward to the Yellow Wall, the rest followed him as one, rising, apologising and starting the process of acceptance.

Life will go on, the countdown to next season will start again. But the wait for another Bundesliga title also goes on for another agonising year.

Source: ESPN

Jamie Collins shares remarkably candid thoughts on trade from Patriots

Jamie Collins shares remarkably candid thoughts on trade from Patriots

Collins was open and honest when asked about the Patriots and his new home of Cleveland.

The New England Patriots pulled the trigger on a shocking trade Monday, sending Pro Bowl linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns for a compensatory third-round pick. The deal was baffling on the surface, but after digging a bit deeper, it makes some sense.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: RECAP, score, stats (10/2/16), NFL Week 4

Wide receiver Chris Conley #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a touchdown against the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium during first quarter of the game on September 25, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Peter Aiken | Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs
Pittsburgh Steelers
1 2 3 4
0 0 0 14
22 7 7 7
Total
14
43
Mon Oct 3 Status: Final Attendance: 61278
Scoring Summary Stats
PIT 1st Qtr 7:27 Darrius Heyward-Bey 31 yd pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Markus Wheaton 2pt Pass from Ben Roethlisberger)
PIT 1st Qtr 5:10 Antonio Brown 4 yd pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Chris Boswell kick)
PIT 1st Qtr 1:20 Antonio Brown 38 yd pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Chris Boswell kick)
PIT 2nd Qtr 0:44 Jesse James 9 yd pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Chris Boswell kick)
PIT 3rd Qtr 11:19 Markus Wheaton 30 yd pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Chris Boswell kick)
KC 4th Qtr 11:11 Tyreek Hill 10 yd pass from Alex Smith (Cairo Santos kick)
PIT 4th Qtr 7:22 DeAngelo Williams 2 yd run (Chris Boswell kick)
KC 4th Qtr 0:04 Travis Kelce 3 yd pass from Alex Smith (Cairo Santos kick)

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent a week letting their worst loss in 27 years fester. Catharsis came during a frenetic stretch in the first quarter Sunday night against the seemingly unprepared Kansas City Chiefs.

Six offensive snaps. Three Ben Roethlisberger touchdowns passes. Two to Antonio Brown. One very important reminder of just how good Pittsburgh's offense can look when all of its dynamic parts are moving in sync.

Seven days after a 31-point meltdown in Philadelphia, the Steelers overwhelmed the Chiefs 43-14 behind five touchdowns passes from Roethlisberger and 178 yards of total offense from running back Le'Veon Bell.

"I told the guys before the game, we're driving a car and we don't have a rearview mirror right now," Roethlisberger said. "We're not looking back. We're looking forward. We're moving on. We did a pretty good job moving on."

Sure looked like it.

Roethlisberger hit Brown — wearing cleats featuring the profile of golf great and western Pennsylvania native Arnold Palmer — for a pair of scores. Roethlisberger also found Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Jesse James for touchdowns on his way to finishing 22 of 27 for 300 yards.

"When you've got a Hall of Fame quarterback, it looks good like that," center Maurkice Pouncey said the Steelers improved to 3-1.

It helps when the franchise running back is allowed to join in too. Bell returned from a torn MCL that cut short his 2015 season and a three-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and looked every bit as dangerous as he did when he was an All-Pro in 2014, which also happened to be the last time Bell, Brown and Roethlisberger started and finished a game together.

"I didn't really feel like I was rusty," Bell said. "I was more anxious if anything."

There was no need, not on a night Pittsburgh's struggling defense repaid a pre-game pep talk by Hall of Fame linebacker Kevin Greene by throttling the Chiefs (2-2). The Steelers forced a pair of first-quarter turnovers that Roethlisberger promptly turned into touchdowns during a franchise-record 22-point deluge. Pittsburgh, which came in with just one sack on the season - dead last in the league - but getting to Kansas City's Alex Smith four times and never allowing the Chiefs to get into a rhythm.

"We wanted to get'em one dimensional and take'em to the deep end of the pool," Steelers linebacker Vince Williams said.

Smith was 30 of 50 for 287 yards and two inconsequential fourth-quarter touchdowns after things were well out of hand. Spencer Ware ran for 82 yards but also fumbled in the first quarter that kick-started Pittsburgh's record-setting run.

Below is NJ.com's preview of the game:

The Pittsburgh Steelers, led by Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, October 2, 2016, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in Week 4 of NFL action.

We'll have up-to-the-minute scoring and stats here throughout the game. Check the scoreboard above and click on the stats link.

App users: For the best mobile experience, use the mobile web version.

Here's what you need to know:

Who: Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers

When: Sunday, October 2, 2016

Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. Eastern

TV: NBC

Announcers: Al Michaels, Chris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya (Field reporter)

Livestream: NFL GamePass (subscription required), NBC Sports Live

Steelers injury report:

OUT
G Ramon Foster (Chest)
S Robert Golden (Hamstring)
CB Senquez Golson (Foot)
FB Roosevelt Nix (Back)
WR Eli Rogers (Toe)
LB Ryan Shazier (Knee)
C/G Cody Wallace (Knee)

Chiefs injury report:

OUT
OL Jah Reid (Knee, Ankle)
RB Charcandrick West (Ankle)

QUESTIONABLE
LB Tamba Hali (Knee, Hand)
CB Phillip Gaines (Knee)
RB Jamaal Charles (Knee)

More to know:

The Chiefs listed Jamaal Charles as questionable for Sunday night's game at Pittsburgh, while fellow running back Charcandrick West has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday that how well Charles comes out of the final practice of the week would dictate whether he makes his season debut. The four-time Pro Bowl selection has not played since Week 5 last season, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The only other running backs on the active roster are Spencer Ware and Knile Davis.

Kansas City could also be relying on a makeshift secondary against Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown & Co. Phillip Gaines is questionable with a knee injury and fellow cornerback Marcus Peters missed two practices this week with the flu, though he was a full participant in Friday's workout.






source: nj.com

Dennis Green dies

Dennis Green dies at age 67

Dennis Green, who coached the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals over 13 NFL seasons, died Thursday night at the age of 67.

"Dennis passed away last night from complications of cardiac arrest," Green's family said in a statement. "His family was by his side and he fought hard."

Tom Brady’s legal fight

Tom Brady’s legal fight technically isn’t over, yet

Although Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has announced that he has pulled the plug on his legal fight to block the four-game suspension imposed for his alleged role in #DeflateGate, the fight isn’t over.

Here’s the official statement from the NFL Players Association: “After careful consideration and discussion with Tom Brady, the NFLPA will not be seeking a stay of the four game suspension with the 2nd Circuit. This decision was made in the interest of certainty and planning for Tom prior to the New England Patriots season. We will continue to review all of our options and we reserve our rights to petition for [appeal] to the Supreme Court.”

Chelsea hold talks with Lionel Messi?

Football transfer rumours: Chelsea hold talks with Lionel Messi?

Lionel Messi: yesterday prison, today Chelsea? Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

TRIGGER WARNING: Be aware that if you’re a Sheffield United fan, the following paragraphs might contain some upsetting information that will dredge up bad memories from the past. You might feel sweaty, nervous, your breathing might become more difficult, you may experience flashbacks. Please, if you are of a delicate constitution, then take great care in reading on.