The Jim Harbaugh era is off to a strange start in Los Angeles, as the Chargers' new head coach had a strange way of categorizing the first day of training camp.
Harbaugh, who is returning to coaching in the NFL after leading Michigan to a national title, spoke to reporters after the first full day of training camp on Wednesday and said it felt like “New Year's Day.”
However, what followed made things a little awkward.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers on the podium before an NFL football practice at the Hoag Performance Center on June 13, 2024 in Costa Mesa, California. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
“It feels like you were born. It feels like you came out of the womb, you know? It's like you're in there and it's comfortable, it's safe, and now, 'poof,' you're born,” Harbaugh said, via the New York Post. “The lights are on, there's light. There's chaos, people looking at you, people talking to you. It feels good to have this happen.”
It's certainly an odd way to talk about returning to the pros, but Harbaugh's eccentric characterization of his new role with the Chargers conveys all the optimism and joy that comes with being a new addition to a family.
Chargers fans rejoiced when Harbaugh signed a five-year contract with the Chargers, and Los Angeles made his $16 million-per-season departure worth it for the Wolverines.
Harbaugh has been tied to the Chargers since Brandon Staley was fired following a 63-21 beating by the Las Vegas Raiders in December. After what he was able to do over nine seasons at Michigan (three Big Ten titles and their national championship last season), fans see this veteran head coaching addition as the perfect fit for a roster that still has plenty of talent.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh gives instructions on the field during the first day of training camp at The Bolt. (Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports)
Quarterback Justin Herbert is locked in as the team’s franchise quarterback, and someone Harbaugh can get creative with given his own experience as a quarterback. But, while he’s building chemistry with his new head coach in camp, Herbert didn’t necessarily think about his first day the same way Harbaugh did.
“I'll leave the analogies up to him,” Herbert said, according to ESPN. “He's done a great job of creating them, so I'll support whatever he says. We're just playing football and my job is to throw the ball, so that's what I'm going to worry about.”
Herbert's job is to throw, but things in Los Angeles could look very different with Greg Roman joining Harbaugh as offensive coordinator. Harbaugh's teams at Michigan are known for being run-heavy, and Roman reunites with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, two running backs he worked with in Baltimore during his time with the Ravens.
Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers on the podium before an NFL football practice at the Hoag Performance Center on June 13, 2024 in Costa Mesa, California. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
But it doesn't matter if they run the ball or throw it, the Chargers will win either way. That's all that matters to Harbaugh and his team.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
