Jim Harbaugh is reportedly turning to a familiar face to fill a role on his coaching staff in Los Angeles.
Since being hired to lead the Chargers 13 months ago, Harbaugh has brought in several of his former Michigan staff members, including defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, defensive line coach Mike Elston and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale. According to reports, another onetime Wolverines assistant is now on his way to Southern California.
News broke Monday night that Harbaugh is hiring Kirk Campbell as an offensive assistant. Campbell previously worked as an offensive analyst under Harbaugh in Ann Arbor in 2022 before being promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2023.
After working with J.J. McCarthy and helping the Wolverines win a national championship, Campbell was bumped up to offensive coordinator when then-OC Sherrone Moore took over the reins from Harbaugh.
However, the 38-year-old Pennsylvania native was fired from that post after one disappointing season.
of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on prior to a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on October 13, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Campbell has worked exclusively at the collegiate level since getting into coaching in 2009, so this will be his first opportunity in the professional ranks.
He’s the latest former college coach to join Harbaugh’s staff with the Chargers. Harbaugh previously hired ex-Florida State defensive coordinator Adam Fuller as the team’s new safeties coach earlier this month.
In his first season in LA, Harbaugh did what he has done at every previous stop: win. The Chargers went 11-6, their most wins in a season since 2018, securing only their third playoff berth in the last 15 seasons.
Los Angeles crashed and burned in the postseason, losing to the Houston Texans 32-12 in the AFC Wild Card Round. Star quarterback Justin Herbert threw four interceptions in the ugly defeat.
Still, the future seems bright for the Bolts. As long as Harbaugh is running the show, we expect they will be in the AFC mix.
Related: Jim Harbaugh Hiring Longtime College Defensive Coordinator For Staff Role