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Jim Harbaugh doesn't do "fine." He doesn't do "good enough." After leading the Los Angeles Chargers to an 11-6 record and a second consecutive playoff appearance in 2025, most coaches would be taking a victory lap. Instead, Harbaugh just blew up his offensive staff.
It’s classic Jim.
The news hitting the wires this January is a bit of a shocker: Greg Roman is out. For anyone who has followed Harbaugh’s career—from the early days at San Diego and Stanford to the Super Bowl run in San Francisco and the national title at Michigan—this is a massive pivot. Roman hasn't just been his offensive coordinator; he’s been his right-hand man for nearly a decade across two different leagues. But after a 16-3 wildcard loss to the New England Patriots where the offense looked stuck in 2012, Harbaugh decided sentimentality doesn't win rings.
The Jim Harbaugh Reality Check in Los Angeles
The 2025 season was a weird one for the Bolts. On paper, 11 wins is great. The defense under Jesse Minter was a top-10 unit, finishing 9th in points allowed. But the offense? It felt like watching a Ferrari being driven in a school zone. Justin Herbert is arguably the most talented pure thrower in the game, yet the Chargers ranked 20th in scoring.
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They were 12th in yards but couldn't punch it in when it mattered.
"The NFL is unforgiving," Harbaugh said during his year-end presser at The Bolt in El Segundo. He’s right. You can’t go into the postseason and score one touchdown in two years and expect to keep your job. Harbaugh is calling for a "fresh start." He wants a "head coach of the offense"—someone who can take the burden off his shoulders and finally let Herbert loose.
Honestly, it’s about time.
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The struggle in 2025 wasn't just about scheme; it was about survival. The offensive line was a revolving door. At one point, they were playing with their 29th different starting combination. You can’t run a "power football" scheme when your Pro Bowl tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, are watching from the sidelines. But Harbaugh isn't using that as an excuse. He’s looking for someone who can blend his physical, blue-collar identity with a modern passing attack.
That 10-Year NCAA Shadow
While things are moving fast in LA, the ghost of Ann Arbor hasn't quite left the building. This past August, the NCAA dropped the hammer on Michigan for the sign-stealing scandal involving Connor Stalions. The headline? A 10-year show-cause order for Jim Harbaugh.
It’s a record-breaking ban.
Technically, Harbaugh is essentially banned from college football until August 2038. By then, he’ll be in his mid-70s. For the NCAA, this was a "breach of head coach responsibility" and a failure to cooperate. For Harbaugh, it’s mostly noise in the background of his NFL life. The NFL has stayed quiet on the matter, and as long as Dean Spanos is happy with 11-win seasons, that show-cause is just a piece of paper in an office in Indianapolis.
What’s Next for the Chargers?
The big question for 2026 is who takes the keys to the offense. Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz are casting a "wide net." They aren't tethered to the old-school, run-heavy philosophy anymore. They’ve already interviewed Marcus Brady, and there’s a lot of chatter about looking for a "modern mind" to fix the red-zone issues.
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The foundation is there. You’ve got:
- A franchise QB in Justin Herbert.
- Emerging weapons like Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.
- A defense that doesn't leak points.
It’s a "nice house with good bones," as Hortiz put it. But the kitchen needs a total renovation.
If you're wondering why Jim Harbaugh is making these moves now, it's because he knows the window is open. He’s 62 now. He’s not here to build a "program" over a decade; he’s here to win a Super Bowl before his clock runs out. Firing a friend like Greg Roman is a signal to the locker room: nobody is safe if the results aren't there.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you're following the Chargers or managing a fantasy roster, here is what you need to watch:
- The OC Hire: If they hire a "modern" pass-heavy coordinator, Justin Herbert’s stock through the roof. If they stay "physical," expect more of the same 21-points-per-game grind.
- Offensive Line Health: Keep a close eye on Rashawn Slater’s recovery from his patellar tendon tear. This team lives and dies by their tackles.
- The Minter Factor: Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is a hot name for head coaching vacancies. If Harbaugh loses his defensive mastermind and has to break in a new OC, 2026 becomes a much steeper climb.
Watch the interview cycle over the next two weeks. Whoever Harbaugh picks to lead the offense will tell you exactly how he plans to spend the final prime years of Justin Herbert's career. This isn't just a coaching change; it’s a total shift in how Harbaugh views the modern NFL.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the Chargers' official coaching announcements through the end of January and monitor local reports from El Segundo for updates on the offensive line's recovery status. This data will be the best indicator of whether the 2026 "fresh start" is a legitimate evolution or just a new coat of paint.