All right, we're back Fred Rogan and Jonas Knoxen today for Rodney. They
have started the Jim Harbaugh news conference. Chargers are underway. Dean Spanos is
speaking, and let's get out there and thank you for all coming today.
When I was talking with Jim this past Tuesday, as he sat on the
tarmac in Michigan his flight out here was delayed because of snow, I told
him how appropriate it was that his press conference was scheduled for today. He
asked, why is that. I said, you're bringing the storm with you.
It's supposed to rain all day. I think I speak for everyone when
I say we are all looking forward to this season and the seasons to come.
Thank you. I'd now like to introduce John Spanos, President of Football
Operations. He's the one that's as spearheaded our coaching search and ge search over
the last three weeks. Done an incredible job. And so John, you
want to come up, all right, this will be interesting. John was
because there was a train of thought that to get Hireball they would have to
give up control John Spendos overseas football Operations. Yeah. Well, first off,
thank you all for coming today. I know that driving in the rain
in southern California can be a risky proposition, to say the least. So
I appreciate you all being here. You know, this really is an exciting
day. It's the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of
people. And before I get going, there is one person I just want
to acknowledge in the crowd. Our new general manager, Joe Ortiz, is
here today. He just got into town late last night. Yeah, give
a round of cloth for Joe. He His press conference is going to be
next Tuesday, and I'm really looking forward to introducing Joe then. And so
Joe, welcome to the Charger family. Man. You know, before I
introduce our new head coach, I thought I talked a little bit about our
process and what led us to coach Hartbaugh. You know, when we made
a change at head coach and GM. Before looking forward, we thought it
was really important to look back and reflect on where we were as an organization.
What are some things that we had done well, but really more importantly,
what are the things we need to do better? Where do we need
to be better, especially as it related to the head coach search. We
formed an internal search committee that was comprised of a very diverse cross section of
our organization. And I want to thank each person that was on that search
committee because I got to tell you, we put in a lot of hours
together. It was a lot of hard work, you know, but it
was important work. You know. This was the most head coaches I think
that we've ever interviewed in a search, at least that I've been a part
of. We interviewed fifteen in total. And you know, I think because
successful coaches can come from all backgrounds, all resumes, all styles, it
was just so important that we were really comprehensive in the search and that we
put in the work. And this was probably the deepest pool of head coach
candidates of any search I've been a part of. And I want to take
a moment and thank each and every candidate that took the time to interview with
us. It was It was really an incredible group. There were a lot
of really deserving coaches. A number of them got head coaching jobs this year,
and I have a strong feeling that many more are going to get head
coaching jobs in the years to come. But I mean, I really enjoyed
this process. I mean, we got to talk to some outstanding people you
know, made some really great connections, got to hear some really interesting insights,
and even though it was a short time, I feel like I was
able to forge some relationships that I know are going to last well beyond just
this hiring cycle. So I'm really grateful for that. I just want to
thank you again to all the candidates that took the time to interview. We
talked internally about really being willing to reimagine how we do things, and you
know, that doesn't mean just doing things differently for the sake of change,
but it means really being willing to explore all options, all possibilities, and
gaining an understanding of what it's going to take to get to the next level.
One of the most important steps before we began the search is, you
know, identifying what it is that we're looking for in a head coach.
And a lot of time was spent on that, you know, when we
were able to identify specific traits in the category of leadership, specific traits of
football acumen. And then once you have those traits, there's really three things
that you have to evaluate those traits in the candidates. Right, you have
the interview itself, you have the reference work that you do, and then
you have the body of work from the candidates. And you know, as
we went through that process, and as we completed the process, it became
overwhelming, overwhelmingly clear that Coach Harbaugh was a demand for this job. And
I'll start with the body of work, because really, coaches body of work
speaks for itself. You know, so often when you're going through this process
and you're looking at the body of work of candidates, you're having to look
at the job of a coordinator or position coach, and you're trying to project
how it's going to be as a head coach. And that's fine, and
that's worked in a lot of instances. But I've said it before and i'll
say it again. I think that there's an added bonus when a candidate has
head coaching experience. Of course, it's an even bigger bonus when that experience
has yielded incredibly high level success. And probably the biggest and most rare bonus
of all is when it's happened not once, not twice, not three times,
but four times. And in each of the four times when Coach Harbaugh
arrived as his team, you know, they were struggling and he was able
to completely reverse their fortunes and turn them into winners, and of course this
past year winning the ultimate prize in college football and national championship. The second
part, you know, that I mentioned is the reference work that we did.
And I want to take a moment here and thank all the people that
helped us in this process. You know, I spent hours on the phone
talking with external you know, friends and colleagues and just respected people in the
league whose opinions I really value. And so thank you to each and every
person who helped us with that part. And I was fortunate enough to speak
with, you know, some people who who've worked with coach Harbaugh. I
spoke with some players who've played for coach Harbaugh, and as you'd expect,
you know, the feedback was just was just tremendous. You know, one
thing that is that became very clear about coach. He is all about the
team. He will do anything for his players and anything for his team.
You know, his drive, his commitment to winning is unparalleled. He just
gets his team ready to play. He's able to instill a confidence and a
competitiveness that's needed to win at this level. You know, he brings out
the best in his players, and you know, and there are times where
he leaves a long lasting positive impression on his players. As one of his
former players told me on the phone, John, he completely changed my career,
you know. And then the last part of this whole thing is of
course the interview process, right and you know, with Jim, from the
very beginning in the interview process, I felt there was a very natural connection,
you know, a shared vision, shared values. You know, his
ties to this team that they do run deep. Obviously, he played here,
he knows a lot of people in the organization who are here who were
here when he played. You know, my interactions with Jim go way back.
And in the first interview, he was able to recall a conversation that
we had nearly twenty years ago when I was on a college scouting trip and
he was a college head coach. And you know, all the traits that
you hear about Jim, you know, they just really presented themselves in the
interview. You know, his passion, his values of faith, family,
and football. You know, the fact that what you see with Jim is
what you get. He's very upfront, he's very honest. He told us
the other day you know, guys, I'm not a very good poker player.
Okay, You're gonna know how I feel. And I really appreciate that
about you, Jim. And you know, there was one point towards the
end of the first interview in reference to the just the the energy and the
passion that coach was exuding, and my father says, you know, Coach,
you got me so fired up right now, I'm gonna have to go
get a workout. And when this interview is over, and I have yet
to confirms that if that workout actually happened or not, but what I promise
you, given the look in my dad's eyes, if he did, he
attacked it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. Coach, I just can't tell
you how excited and happy we all are to have you and your whole family
here today. Welcome home, coach. And with that, it's with great
pleasure I introduced the next coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, Jim Harbaugh.
And you are listening live to Jim Harbaugh's introductory news conference. That was John
Spanos speaking. Jim is approaching the microphone on a five to seventy LA Sports.
Thank you very much, if I just add one word. It would
be gratitude for this opportunity, for the guidance that I've received. Gratitude to
the Spanos family, to Susie the Dean, to John, the Mike Spanos,
to the Rural family, Nicholas Ruhl who had coached at Stanford and Mike
you I coached at Stanford, Anna, Philip, the entire family, To
the everybody in the Charger organization for allowing me to have this opportunity. Gratitude
to the players that have been great, Our communications have been outstanding. Appreciate
them. Welcome me to the team. I believe we really share an important
asset, which is being relentless. I see that in the players that we
have on this football team, and the Spanos family. Amazing John, John,
that conversation that we had, I remember it well because in two thousand
and four five I've coached an All Star game and and in Las Vegas after
the practice, John came up to me and he, so, you run
a really good practice. That's a that's a professional type practice, you know.
I like the way you coach. That was really only the second time
that a professional coach, owner, general manager recognized that I might be pretty
good and and and the first was mister al Davis, who I have so
much gratitude too. So to me, from that moment on, I knew
you could recognize talent and uh, this is like a young al Davis to
me, Uh, so so cool. And and Dean, Uh, you
know just uh, you know when you said we're hungry to win, I'm
hungry to win. I told you that, and you you said you're starving.
You know, it's just just resonated with me so much. And uh,
you've you're about it. You're grinder. You're one of the first in
the building I've been watching, uh and one of the last to leave through
every single interview. You know, you've been there twenty eight thirty some thirty
some straight days. So just everybody's been been great and so welcoming. You
know. I just like the way you do things like how you do it
and what you do and and Ed and and Uh and Fred and Catherine and
and on and on. I could list so many of that. I'm just
very excited, you know, excited. I think about if I could describe
it to you'd be like it'd be like Morgan Freeman and Shaws, Shank redemption,
you know red You know, I'm so excited that I find I you
know, I can't sit still or or hold a thought in my head.
You know what a free man would feel before a long journey. And I
just want to make it across the border. Want to shake my friend's hand.
That's that's how I feel. And I want to get to you know,
I want to win, want to win the right way. Want to
treat people uh uh uh in a first class way, and uh, you
know, get really good at football and attacking each day. Like John said,
I'm attacking it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. I wanna. I
want to especially thank uh my family as well, my beautiful wife Sarah,
who does so much. Thank goodness for mothers, all that you do in
supporting me, supporting our family. Uh, you know the best, you
know, just just the best thing that's uh that's happened to me. You're
there, You're the best, tremendous and and my my kids. I'm just
so proud, uh dad of seven. Uh my son Jay, who's a
you know, a great man, great husband, uh father, Uh,
he's a great football coach. Grateful for all the work he's done. Uh
as a coach on our team at Michigan. And and uh my son James,
who's who's here? Uh, Gracie who's not here but uh both both
shining stars. And daughter Addie who's who's here today? Fifteen? And Katie
Katie bear? Uh and Jack Jack the quarterback? And uh and my son
Johnny's here today? What's up Johnny doing all right? See where in the
Jersey? Let's go, let's go. Yeah, so much to so much
to talk about, uh, you know, just feeling good? What a
what a? Uh? Oh? And I also who I would not be
here without is uh is my parents Jack Harball, Jackie Harball, my mom
talking about moms uh, you know, just the best uh and did nothing
to be born into that family. But uh just just luck. You know,
my name should should be lucky. You get so lucky lucky. Uh
That's how I feel. My parents, uh and my brother John and my
sister Jani just uh, just such a blessing. And they weren't My mom
and dad weren't able to make it here today, but you know, I
hope to get them out here to uh to southern California soon. Kids,
Dad, Mom. The kids really love living next door to their papa and
yai. So, uh, we'll see we can we can get done there.
So yeah, I would uh open it up to uh the questions,
uh, to probably talk about and let's have at it. Coach. This
is Uh, I'm Jim Hill KKL nine News. Congratulations, you're a legend.
No, no, no, you're the legend. You're a lad.
You're believe me, you're the legend. First of all, congratulations and good
luck and by all of us here today. What does this tell you about
how popular this choice is by the charges to get you as their head coach
and the great expectations to come. Well, thank you for that question,
Jim, And you are you are a legend. Uh. And we're in
uh, we're in you know, one of the one of the great cities
there there is, you know. And one thing I know is is,
uh Los Angeles, Southern California. Uh. They respect talent, effort and
winning and and it needs to be multiple multiple championships. Uh. And that's
We're gonna be humble and hungry. Uh, but you know that's our goal.
That's our goal is to you know, treat people in the first class
manner to win multiple championships. Uh and day by day you know. Now
I'm quoting Jackie Harball Now, I mean gonna be one day at a time,
one game at a time, one play at a time. Thank you.
Yeah, coach over here left right, right, all right, Bill
Plaski Los Angeles Times. Now another legend. Wow, you're right, Jim
Hill is the legend. Thank you for reckon. So this organization has a
history of falling short of expectations and very many painful ways. How do you
change the culture? The team, the team, the team It's gonna be.
It's gonna be a team effort. There won't be any uh any magic
formulas. The only ones I know are just good old fashioned hard work and
teamwork. And that's the vision that I've received from the Spanos family. That's
the guidance. You know that this is this has to be done. This
has to be done like a team. Uh. And the great family that
they are team family, those those are synonymous for each other. Uh Uh.
And I gotta quote Katie, my daughter, Katie Harbaugh, because she
came up with one of the best quotes I've ever heard. Uh, work
together, win together. Uh. And the operating word there is is together.
Uh. So everything we're gonna do is gonna be It's gonna be done
as as a team, collaborative, you know, anything and everything uh that
that I can do as a coach. You know. For our players,
it's uh, it's about them, those those helpful, those helpful warriors,
those those uh mighty men, uh, so that they can be successful.
So I feel that that's what my job is, you know, put them
in a position to be to be successful. And and and then the other
operating there is work. I mean, uh, you know, nothing was
ever achieved without without work. So each day just waking up and see if
we can how productive we can be, how much we can dominate the day.
So what talk about expectations, what are those expectations. Expectations are to
uh, to have a great day today, you know, to make it
a great day. Uh. Like some people say, like have a nice
day. That doesn't quite resonate with me. I mean that let's leaves something
to chance. I mean, we can let's make it a great day.
You know, let's have a great day if we want to. And so
that's that's what we're doing. And happy to be here today and again just
thankful for this opportunity and and ready to attack it. Jim Daniel Popper with
the Athletic I'm sure one of the attractive parts of coming to this job was
getting to coach Justin Herbert at quarterbacks. So what excites you the most about
about him as a player and as a person. Yeah, the the uh,
the the pros on this team. Justin Herbert, you know, you
see, I mean he's a as well said on that video, I mean,
that's a that's a he's a crown jewel. Uh In in the National
Football League, Derwin James, there's another one. Uh talking talking about somebody
getting me fired up. I mean, I mean, let's go. You
know, Justin Herbert walks up on you, you know, like, okay,
all right, this is awesome. Keenan Allen, you know we got
uh you know we got guys. Uh uh Sean Slater, I mean great
to see see him. I mean in the in the building, uh,
you know, getting getting to work in and that's that's been uh, that's
been what I the feedback I've been getting in the communication with the players.
Uh, they want to work. Uh, I can't wait to work.
They're ready to work and uh and they want to win and uh, hey,
that's uh let's go. The uh weight room is we're getting it cleaned
up right now, We're getting it, getting it all set. Had a
great day, uh just yesterday. I mean talking about fulfillment. I mean
going to going in there to home depot and uh, you know, getting
the shop back and I feel like I'm back at USD. I mean,
let's get this thing right. Let's get it good. When these players come
in here, then everything's everything's organized and they're going to see that. Uh
yeah, things are things are, things are changing, things are different,
and uh we want to get into that center of player development. You know
that uh that weight room and let's let's have at it. You know,
it's a hunger you want to eat. I mean, this is this and
all you can eat buffe right here. So let's get that work in.
And that's that's what the players uh have been saying back to me. You
know, let's get it coached. So uh yeah, let's go. Jim
Joe Radio Associated Press. I tried to asking you a version of this at
Disney, But what about playing for Espano's family and coming in was there a
comfort level when you when you interviewed and researching this job Oh, absolutely it
Uh it it got emotional. I mean then I started thinking every every every
job I've ever taken and coaching, there's been there's a real emotional tie there.
Uh. And I feed off of that. I mean, it's a
it's a it's a gameplay by emotional people, coached by emotional people. There's
a great level of emotion to it. I had the connection, uh and
I felt it from from the time I was first uh coaching at us D.
I meant that I was there because of my senior Dilibo. Uh.
Dan Dilibo, who is the Catholic priest uh for the Chargers, took me
over to us D. You want to go over and check out a us
D basketball game? And I'm like, yeah, let's go. Uh great,
And then we're walking over to uh the Jenny Craig Pavilion there and uh
and look over and I go, what's that. That's our that's our football
stadium. I goes, let's go take a look at that. And uh,
just looking at and being there, I said, yeah, one senior,
someday I'm gonna coach. I'm gonna play as long as I can,
then coach then die. If you ever need a head football coach at USD,
please please call me? And Uh I was. I was coaching uh
at the Raiders in my in my second season there as a quality control coach
and and got that call. And then I went and coached at USD.
UH. Funny story. I'll tell you sometime about uh what mister Davis said
to me when I was making that move. But that was that was a
connection. Then the next was Stanford. I go to Stanford, UH to
coach there. My dad had been a defensive coordinator there. I went to
Palo Alto High School as a junior and a senior and that was right going
back to the coach coach at Stanford. Then the forty nine Ers just it
was just right up the road. All these friends that are that are forty
nine Ers fans and UH and UH you know, grateful of Jed York,
the York family, UH and the the amount of incredible times that we had
UH there. And then when it was time to go, it was back
to Michigan. You know which is which is you know means so much to
me where I went to college. UH, and now I'm going to the
Chargers where I played in the family, the family it was just so sincere
when I played. UH. And this is this is from this is from
Alex Spanos, UH to Dean Spanos to John Spanos. The a g Uh,
I mean, this is a this is a family, faith, family
and football. That's that's Uh, those are my priorities. And as he
said, as Dean said, I you know, watching that video, the
little hairs on my arm, we're standing up watching that. All these memories
are flooding back. You know, none more than the last game I played
with the uh, the Chargers junior Seow and I exchanged jerseys and he signed
it and I had that jersey hanging up in my home. UH. So
just so many things. But as I just recounted all those steps in the
coaching profession, it's it's the relationships that I cherished, cherished relationships. And
I say that to to uh, you know, my dear friends at Michigan,
UH, at those that I've coached and worked with, the University of
Michigan. UH, those that I've coached and worked with and friends have made
when I was at the forty nine ers at Stanford at USD, It's cherish
relationships and UH and now excited for him new ones, new and uh new
and strong, trusting, lasting friendships. I mean it drives me high.
Coach Bridge of Condon, NFL Network, congratulations on an exciting month talking about
that you were at the top of the college football world. So why now?
And why the Chargers? Uh, the opportunity was presented, and it
I felt that they, the Spanless family, the Charger organization, they made
it clear that they liked what I did and how I did it. And
and that's all you all you can ever want from a from somebody that's employing
you. Uh. So yeah, I love of Michigan, but love of
the NFL. And you know this this opportunity, as my dad would say,
who's got it better than us? Uh? It just it was it
was time. I got so many And I said this the other day,
but I only got so many our sands left in the hour glass. And
and uh, I want another shot. I want another shot at uh uh
to be simply known as world champions, uh the Lombardi Trophy. You know,
that's that's my mission. And UH happy again, grateful to have this
opportunity and and UH already attacking, already a lot of work getting done,
and just can't wait for uh, you know, after this, we're gonna
go over to the facility. We're gonna we're gonna look at that. I
think there's some still opportunity to you know, look at it, Red Fred.
Uh, we can we can look at that and maybe uh, you
know, gets get some of the equipment ordered that that we want. But
it's just all that, all that is just so so exciting. So now
each day right now is uh is just filled with fulfillment of of just chipping
away, just chipping away at things, and uh, you know, how
can we make this to where we can put our players in the absolute you
know, best environment uh to be successful? Hi, Jim Lindsay theory with
ESPN Uh. For as much as Justin's accomplished, when you look at his
statistics over the last few years, is there any a particular area of his
game that you're most eager to get a hold of it and take to the
next level? The thing that's just hitting me And I'm watching his watching his
throws, watching his Uh. I haven't been through them all yet, but
I want to, you know, get to where I watch every one of
his NFL throws, every one of his snaps. I mean the thing that's
jumping out is just this uh you know, enormous talent. Uh. And
it's I'm waking up like real early in the morning these days, uh going
I gotta bring it. I gotta bring my a game in every sense of
the word. And I want to get a coaching staff put together and hired
that you know, it's going to be worthy of you know, of coaching.
Uh, not only justin but uh you know, Derwin and and and
all the guys. I mean I think, uh, I really think,
uh, this is a talented group that's been assembled here and that's what's gonna
motivate, that's what's gonna drive. So I'm really thinking about my accountability and
just you know, making sure that that that I'm I'm ready, you know,
and the things that I tell him are going to be you know,
exact, because I've because I've looked at it and watched it and but but
but it's gonna be It's gonna be a team effort all the way. But
yeah, I'm just I'm excited about the challenge. You know. Let's see
if I'm mad enough, you know, good enough coach and to uh to
you know, to so that all his hard work can be realized. I
want to work really hard so that his hard work is going to be realized.
Justin and every player on our football team. And I know Joe's days
next week. But from your perspective, with Joe coming from the Ravens,
there seems like an obvious connection there. But what makes him a fit for
you as as a general manager? Uh? And another another. I didn't
get to meet every general manager that the that the that the the organization interviewed,
but I mean got got down to Brandon Brown and Joe Ortiz and I'm
like, wow, I mean I'm blown away. I mean, great job,
great job of uh selecting you know, these two men that you know
and uh and then Joe just fabulous. You know, been with been with
the Ravens last sixteen or seventeen years. Nobody knows it better, nobody knows
uh the talent better. You know, does a phenomenal job. And he's
earned it. He has earned it. Nobody been really given nothing, you
know other than uh doing a doing a tremendous job. So just so excited
Joe to be partners with you. I've only been in the building like uh
uh uh And on the charges for the last six or seven days. But
man, I was getting lonely. Now I uh, I feel like I
got a partner. And he knows he knows, Uh, he knows not
only does he know the talent that's across the league and and uh you know
in in college football and and on our team and me when you listen to
him talk, I mean he knows it. He knows it, knows it
cold. So uh yeah, just just excited and he knows you know,
potentially you know, some of our systems that we're gonna put in on on
defense and and offense, and it's a great fit and you know, just
earned earned. What if you're talking about Geordies, I mean it's been earned.
And there's that tremendous track record there. Uh. And I know that
I know that, uh for sure, Uh because I'm because my brother John
and and and I trust a lot of people in football. You know,
I really do, uh in their opinions and the recommendations. You know,
not that I was making that decision, but uh, you know, uh,
nobody I trust more than my brother, and well, my brother says,
you know, somebody is good and you you and Joe were going to
get along great, and you're going to be a great team, and it's
uh yeah, I know it's gonna be good. It's gonna be dynamic.
Jim over here, you're right here right. Dean kind of touched on this
in his opening remarks, But I was wondering how much of the interview process
consisted of you interviewing them about the resources that would be made available to football
operations, and what were you told that made you comfortable you know that like
this could be the type of place where you could win multiple championships. Interviewing
me interview I wasn't. I mean, we were there, conversations. He
was just you know, football talk, football dialogue. It was, and
it was, it was. It was great. I mean I really,
I mean it started. It was flowing so much that I was finishing.
I felt like I was finished. And some of their sentences, they were
finishing some of my my sentences. I mean, uh, and the resources
we're about to go after the press conference over to the new facility. I
mean that the proof's in the pudding there, so uh, like Dean said,
I mean, you know, I said I was hungry to win.
He's starving to win. Let's go, you know, so uh, I
have I have no doubt uh that, Uh. You know, it's it's
all about uh winning and winning the right way and uh and doing everything for
this organization to apex. Like I said, I believe Dean, the Spano's
family and myself share an important asset which is relentless and uh that's got a
pretty good sense of uh you know, uh the sincerity of that. You
know, they these they're sincere people and uh, you know, I take
him take him at the word. And everything since has been you know,
like I said, we're working, We're working toward it. I feel good
about it. Run Er, say, have been Detroit for your press,
What do you think the state of Michigan football is right now? And how
much have you been talking to Sharon about the transition process? Uh? And
the coaches that you're taking as far as h jesse mentor Ben Herbert, uh
maybe a couple others. Sharona is the right man for the job. Nobody
else uh would be. I mean, that's that's the guy. And they
got it right and uh and things are uh see, there were top rated
team right now, top five team, and I still think if it is
one you know, the Chargers and the Michigan Wolverines like one team. So
in a great place, in a great place. That much like when players,
you know, leave the university to go on to the to the pros.
You know, there's a there's a passing of the baton that takes place.
Uh and you see J. J. Lee, but then I see
Jayden, Denegal, Alex Orgy. I mean next day they're they're on that
that field, they're throwing with with receivers. Uh, and there's an excitement
there. I've been involved in that as a player when when the quarterback ahead
of me uh uh left or graduated. And it's the same for for coaches.
I mean I've been talking to Sharon. He's on I mean the guy
is on on fire right now. I mean he's uh, he's uh,
he's working recruiting and coaches like Jessin Minter. I mean he's a he's a
tremendous coach. We're going through a process right now. Ben Herbert, I
can't confirm that he's gonna be gonna be a Charger And uh, I love
the the passing of the baton was there? Uh two Uh to Justin Tress,
Jay Tress, you know, Uh, hugged it out and right there
in the right there in the blue am right in the middle of the uh
the of the weight room. So uh in great hands. And yeah,
always gonna always gonna be a loyal Wolverine. Yeah. As a follow up,
was there anything that Michigan could have done to keep you? Missigan?
Was great? Like I said, Michigan have a great love for Michigan,
uh and great for love for the for the NFL. Uh. And this
this opportunity uh is something that and and challenges is uh what I want to
Jim Dana Paper with the athletic again. Your brother recently said that you may
be the best team builder in football, and I'm curious philosophically, what are
the important factors to building a good successful football team and why do you think
you've been able to do that throughout your career as a head coach. Uh.
Well, I'm not gonna let him out affirm me. I mean John
Harbaugh is he is, He's the best of the best. Uh. There's
there's there is nobody better, uh in my opinion, And you know it's
it's it's great. We we uh you know, we've we've shared a room
for for sixteen years. Growing up, we always lived in a house where
John and I had to had the same room. And and when there's you
know, some some competitions broke out from time to time. And when I
was six, maybe my brother was eight, We're living in Iowa, sitting
and my dad came into the room and then kind of kind of gets to
quit talking so loud. But uh, I mean and he said it,
I mean, you two YouTube brothers. Who could possibly have it better than
you two be able to share your hopes, your dreams, you can talk
talk talk sports, talk, uh talk your goals. H Who could have
it better than you two? Nobody, Dad, nobody, Yeah, that's
right. And he was right. He was right. Uh you know we
we we had that, you know that this best friend relationship and and uh
and talking talking football. There's there's just nobody better, no no body,
uh than John Harbal the way the way the way he coaches, uh proofs
in the pudding, the way uh, the way he builds teams, the
way he the way he uh treats people with a class and a grace.
You know, just uh, there's much gratitude for his example that he set
Hige Chris raherm ESPN. You talked about winning and multiple championships and the expectation
year, but obviously this team was, you know, five and twelve last
year. Do you expect you know that? And yere one, you know,
what does success look like for you in the first year here? M
That's a great question everyway. I mean, it's gonna start with I mean,
humble and hungry. I mean right there. I mean that's that's where
we are right now, humble and hungry, and we're gonna we're gonna respect
all our opponents and we're gonna we're gonna strive that. Uh. You know,
we're gonna earn their respect and we're gonna earn our winning you know.
The tough team, you know, the resilient team, a relentless team,
UH, physical team. Uh is where we're gonna aspire to be. Don't
let the Powder Blues fool you. That's what we're gonna aspire to do.
And and just just a follow up for me, do you I know you
said you're working through some things with with coaches, but do you have plans
to keep uh you know, any of the coordinators that we're here, like
Brian Ficken or Derek Gainsley. I know you say you're working through some stuff,
but wondering if you're keeping any of those guys on staff. Yeah,
we're working working through that now, thanks for that question. Uh, you
know, just some amazing, amazing coaches. Uh and and and several that
you mentioned there have been you know, having the conversations with and it's a
practice uh process and uh, and we're working through it. And we're working
through it with with uh, with Dean, with Ed, with John.
I mean they've been right there, hip by hip Joe just Joe now,
Uh, we've been talking on the phone, but now he's he's in town,
just got in the last night. So yeah, that's priority number one
right now, alongside uh getting to know the the players. But uh,
you know, getting this staff, you know, putting this staff together.
Uh, you know, want to want an all star staff. Uh you
know, and that's you know, worthy to you know, coach our players.
And so that's that's what we're working on. Jim, is there a
timeline you would like to have that done by? Uh? Yeah, I'm
gonna I'm gonna be here working every day until that So that's done. Sarah'll
probably come home. Uh, for a couple of days, but not until,
not till that staff is that staff is hired and locked cocked and ready
to rock. And then your roster, it's no secret you guys are a
bit over the cap. Uh what point do you turn to the roster and
start looking at that and saying, you know what you guys would like that
to look like next season? The same amazing, amazing talent, amazing players
on this team. And again, Joe just got in last night, so
uh, you know, we're gonna we're gonna give them some some time,
but but it's gonna be and be a team effort. You know, after
we get the staff staff hired, then we're gonna really start start looking at
the the roster and evaluating that and getting ready for the combine. Uh you
know that that'll be next on the on the agenda too, and free agency
when that opens, and then uh, you know, getting our systems and
we're gonna get our systems in offensively, defensively, special teams and then get
prepared for for installs for phase one, Phase two, phase three. So,
uh, the great news is there's there's a lot of work to be
done, and uh, you know, it's just gonna gonna fill the days
and they're gonna fly by. But uh, that's what we're gonna do,
tempt to dominate each day and and be as productive as possible. Jim,
what's the biggest immediate need when you look at this roster? I know you
just mentioned you still have, you know, to get with Joe and figure
things out. Really get get the staff, get the staff higher. That's
that's uh, that's the biggest priority right now. And then for you,
like what what are your conversations. What have they been like with the players
and with Justin and when do they get really serious? They've been They've been
incredible. Uh, what they've been like has been incredible. It's uh,
you know to a man. I mean they just appreciate him too for getting
back to me, you know, and uh, you know, they they
got busy lives and uh you know, some guys on vacation, some guys
uh you know with their uh you know, with their family. Uh.
And yeah, Trey Pipkins got got to beat him in the airport. You
know, three great big kids, uh you know, and uh and his
wife and his dad. I mean, uh, just ready to go,
coach, We're just ready to go, ready to get work. Happy you're
here and uh, you know, and I gotta you know, he's gotta.
Then he had to get the kids through the security, you know.
Uh. But other conversations uh have been just just as incredible. I mean
the theme is guys are ready to work, guys, uh, you know,
very hungry to win. Coach ted sober, local and national radio.
Nice to see you. Welcome back to LA. Speaking of LA nineteen sixty
three years before you were born, this team started. Yes, I'm probably
one of the last guys left who actually went to one of those games,
but the first year. But what is it like to come back to a
team that you actually played for, went off and did your thing and then
came all the way back? And I asked this to Phil Jackson twenty five
years ago, exactly are you an LA guy? How does that fit in
your life? Is I an LA guy? Yeah? Yeah, I think
so. I aspire to be. I mean the I mean growing up in
the Midwest where I grew up, you know, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky,
and then we moved to California and my junior and senior year of of
of high school and then went back to Michigan for uh for college. But
my my growing up was and I told told a lot of the folks when
I was at the Rose Bowl. I mean, uh it was growing up
watching the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. I mean laying on your stomach,
you know, hands under your chin, elbows on the floor, uh,
looking at uh palm trees and mountains and sun and uh ocean and wow,
I want to be there someday. My favorite show growing up is The
Rockford Files. It's still my favorite show. Uh ted Lasso has now tied
to Rockford Files, but uh, you know that's that was me as a
kid. I mean it's all, you know, driving that Camaro around uh
l a and car chases and you know, got a uh as the has
the uh you know down there by the beach, got the trailer down there
to the beach. I mean, I mean I got up. I told
my wife's this cauld I tell him, yes, yes, okay, So,
uh I want to I want to drive my r V out. I
want to drive my r V out and uh and and go to a trailer
park. Uh you know, like down by the water or by Disneyland.
There'll be two that I have researched that are close to the facility, and
uh, I want to Jim Rockford it for the uh for the for the
next couple of months, until we moved to the new facility. That's I
have that thought growing through my head. Jim. A quick follow up on
the the timing of coming here and leaving college. I've spoken to a lot
of coaches. They don't like what's going on right now with n I l
it's just a different kind of a job. If this happened ten years ago,
would you still have made that move. I don't look at the obstacles.
I don't look at it. I mean every every job maybe has its
downside or challenge or adversity. But uh no, I have no no complaint.
Uh. You know people that complain when we we talk about Robbie,
I mean that's a that's a common plane. Net work comes from common plane.
They want to get you to agree with them. I H I got
no complaints, got no complaints. And uh, you know, love football,
love coaching, Uh you know, faith, family, football, and
uh this opportunity. I just have tremendous gratitude for him. And there you
go. That's Jim Harball. His introductory news conference. Uh, playing the
role of James Gardner in the Rockford Files. You know, he listened for
forty five minutes. Jonas and Ted Solball asked the best question, let's say,
but he didn't get the legend treatment that Jim Hill and Bill Platsky got.
And by the way, I do want to thank Jim Harbaugh and everybody
for attending John Spanos's press conference. You know, I just want all right,
David will be on top of the hour. It will not go forty
five minutes, and when we come back, we'll put a ball on Jim
Harbaugh's news conference. Thought, we're back. Jonas Knaxen today for Rodney.
If you're still here, you heard the Jim Harbaugh news conference. He's an
entertaining guy. I'll tell you that, Jonas, he is. I got
to ask you, are they normally that long? I'm sorry at the press
conference, well, you know, everybody had a question. He acknowledged a
few people as legends. He referred to himself as Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption.
Yeah, that was a highlight for me because I thought to myself,
he quoted the scene from you know, him being so excited to meet up
with his friend again in Shawshank and I'm sure people in Michigan are quoting the
part where, you know, the warden reveals the giant tunnel and goes man
up and vanished like a fart in the wind. You know, that's probably
how people in ann Arbor are feeling right now now that Jim Harva's gone.
But he gave him a natty on the way out. He's fine. Yeah,
I thought it went well. I'll tell you I've not really spoken to
him in the past, and you know, those in the media have covered
him for years. Seems very likable, seemed very down to earth. When
you listen to him, he seems a little disjointed. I think he's a
guy who loves his brother very much. They are best friends. The new
general manager comes from the Ravens. His brother gave him the highest endorsement.
I think it'll be fun. He said he wanted to win. Dean Spano
said he's hungry to win. So maybe now it's time for the Chargers to
start eating. Okay, does it bother you or let me rephrase the question.
When you see Jim Hill get the first question? Yeah, you surprised,
No, not at all, here's why he's Helen Thomas at the Associated
Press. Remember Helen Thomas. No, all right, So Helen Thomas worked
for the EP for years, and in every news conference, just because she
had been there so long and as a sign of respect, they would always
give her the first question. What's interesting is when I first got to town
many years ago, I didn't know the rules. I had no idea what
the rules were, and quite frankly at that point, didn't care. Oh
so you blew her out to get the first question in? No, I
blew out Jim Hill, Oh good, yeah, good for you. You
know what. I'm Team Rogan on that little feuture. Yeah. But then
but then I just went, no, you know that was that wasn't nice.
So and by that point, honestly, I didn't care. I really
didn't care if I heard my voice asking the first question, because the first
question is always a welcome to town, Hey, welcome, good to see
you. The first question is always one of those. The mass questions asked
were if I plashed in, Ted, yeah, Ted sobl And by the
way, a stunning development. I know Capvin figures can can feel me on
this, A stunning development that Ted soble would name drop somebody he talked to
years ago. Never once, I couldn't have seen that coming from to just
a stunner that that that would that would take place there at that press conference.
I just I thought it was. I didn't know how you were going
to feel about it, because I know that you and Jim Hill have been
feuding for decades now in southern California. That you and Jim Hill aren't feuding,
there's why would I m Hill? I don't know. I just thought
that because like it used to be, are you you know there was like
a big poll question back in the day for people that were unaware are you
going Rogan or are you chill with Hill? And that was a big debate
for years here on a lot of the blowtorches around southern California. So,
I do you know, it's funny. I never I was never aware of
that, but I always looked at it like this, are you chill with
Hill? I would looked at it like this. You know, Jonas,
I'm not a great golfer, but I learned long ago in golf, you
know what you do? You play your own ball and drink well that of
course, well, and guess what I's pretty good at both. Yeah,
I think that's all chronicled. That's why I'm going Rogan friend. That's what
I'm talking about anyway. So he's here, he's got to pick a staff,
that's what he said. He's not going home till that's done. Some
questions about how many people were coming with him from Michigan, he wouldn't specifically
answer that. He said he spoke with Justin Herbert and he is the gold
standard we all know. That said he's here for the long haul. He
said he's here to win. He said the Spanoses have committed and promised that
he will have the resources necessary, and at one point during the news conference
he did say, you know, when we get done here, well,
he's got like four things he said he was going to do the minute he
was done. But one of the things was he was going to go into
the building and start ordering stuff. And I thought to myself, do they
have the money for that? Oh jeez, Like damn, Fred, Like
you can't even just let him enjoy their day. They got the biggest name
on the market and you got to take a shot at him for how like
well you said that, and I thought, well, what is it?
You're gonna say, we're gonna start ordering equipment. What equipment? Okay?
And I was wondering about that, because what does he do, Like he
goes into his office, he opens up the top drawer and there's an east
Bay magazine from back in the day, and he just starts ordering apparel.
Remember East Bay Magazine. Everybody got an east Bay magazine in the mail,
even if you've never heard of est Bay magazine, Like all of a sudden,
it just showed up one day, and you're like, I guess I
need a pair of newman gloves. I don't know, I guess this is
something we've got to look. You know, there's a there's a new tennis
racket out. I guess I'll order it and wait, you know, eight
months for it to arrive. So I was wondering about that as well,
too, that they're gonna be ordering new equipment. But the guy is going
to be a quote machine, and it's gonna get to a point where he
never seems to get flustered with the media, Like he never seems to get
frustrated. I wonder if we're gonna ge to a point where he just sort
of comes up with the craziest things to say to try and get people to
stop asking certain questions, because if you want to try and get information out
of Jim Harbaugh, good luck. Like even you know, when Ted Soble
asked the question about if this was ten years ago, would you have left
college football because of the changing landscape, he navigated around that beautifully. Like
he really does CounterPunch well with the media, which is what's gonna make it
a lot of fun. The Jim Harba's here, and if I tell me
I have this correct. Was Brandon Staley making four million dollars a year?
I know we don't always know the disclosed amount for coaches, but was Brandon
Staley making four million a year? That was the report report. Yes,
so Harbaugh's making four times that much according to reports. You bet you're ass
he's going to be here long term. You're not going in here? Are
you kidding me? In fact, it would not surprise me if they blew
Easton, stick out of me. Harbor By the backup quarterback for sixteen mil.
Come on, all right, David Massa, well join us. We'll
get back into the Dodgers as we continue today. Plus Vickillby along with some spirituality,