After Jim Harbaugh was announced as the Los Angeles Chargers next head coach, his quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, was one of the first to congratulate him on the new job.
McCarthy posted a touching tribute to the departing Michigan coach with a message and series of photos on X.
“THE Michigan Man! Love you 4, Thank you for everything,” McCarthy wrote. “Your story isn’t finished just yet.”
Harbaugh helped McCarthy develop into one of the top passers in college football, where he completed 67.6% of his passes for 6,226 yards and 49 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions.
Both McCarthy and Harbaugh are now headed to the NFL, right after leading the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship title. Harbaugh and McCarthy enjoyed a great run at Michigan, with Harbaugh reaching the College Football Playoff during both of McCarthy’s seasons as a starter for the Wolverines, while posting an overall record of 27-1.
Harbaugh’s tutelage helped McCarthy earn first-team All-Big Ten honors and the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year award in 2023. Thanks to this college performance, McCarthy is expected to be a high-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Now, Harbaugh is going to pair up with Justin Herbert while J.J. McCarthy will join another team once he’s drafted. Harbaugh has developed a reputation of developing quarterbacks including Andrew Luck, Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick and McCarthy. In Herbert, Harbaugh will pair up with a former Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowler who has an explosive arm. If all goes well, it should be fireworks for the Chargers with Harbaugh at the helm.
