Jim Harbaugh is an American football coach for the University of Michigan. He is also known as a successful football player who has played for Michigan since 1987 when he was drafted. After his successful playing career, he stepped into coaching.
He has been the head coach at the University of San Diego, Stanford University, the San Francisco 49ers, and now Michigan. This article will provide more details on Harbaugh’s background and career highlights.
Contents
Dossier
| Full Name | James Joseph Harbaugh |
| Nick Name | Jim |
| Age (As of 2023) | 59 years |
| DOB | 23 December 1963 |
| Occupation | American Football Head Coach |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches |
| Weight | 97 kg |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Half-Sicilian and Half-Polish |
| Hometown | Toledo, Ohio, United States |
| Mother | Jacqueline M Harbaugh |
| Father | Jack Harbaugh |
| Wife | Sarah Feuerborn Harbaugh |
| Kids | Jay, James, Grace, Addison, Katherine, Jack, John |
| Siblings | John Harbaugh, Joani Harbaugh |
| High School | Palo Alto High School |
| College | University of Michigan |
| Net Worth (as of 2023) | $40 million |
Early Life
Jim Harbaugh was born in Toledo, Ohio in 1963. His father, Jack Harbaugh, was a football coach, and the family lived in several different states including Ohio, Kentucky, Iowa, Michigan, and California for his job.
Growing up, Harbaugh moved frequently due to his father’s coaching positions. He served as an assistant coach at Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg, Ohio for part of Harbaugh’s childhood.
Family
Jack Harbaugh is the father of Jim Harbaugh. He is a former American football player. He has also served as the coach of Western Michigan University and Western Kentucky University. His mother’s name is Jacqueline M. “Jackie” (née Cipiti), and he has an older brother (John Harbaugh) who is an American football coach in the NFL.
Harbaugh married his first wife, Miah Harbaugh, in 1996. They divorced in 2006 and have three children together – two sons, Jay Patrick Harbaugh and James Harbaugh, and a daughter, Grace.
In 2008, Harbaugh married Sarah Feuerborn. Together they have four children – two sons, Jack Harbaugh and John Harbaugh, and two daughters, Addison Harbaugh and Katherine Harbaugh.
High School Career
Jim attended Tappan Junior High School before going to Pioneer High School. When his father was hired as the defensive coordinator at Stanford University, the family moved to Palo Alto, California.
Harbaugh enrolled at Palo Alto High School and graduated from there in 1982. He was a standout athlete in high school playing football, basketball, and baseball.
College Career
After graduating from Palo Alto High School, Jim Harbaugh attended the University of Michigan. He played college football for the Wolverines from 1983-1986. As starting quarterback in his junior and senior seasons, he led the team to a Big Ten Conference Championship and top 20 national ranking.
In 1986, Jim finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Vinny Testaverde and Temple running back Paul Palmer. He earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors that season after completing 180 of 277 passes for 2,729 yards, throwing for 18 touchdowns with only six interceptions, and finishing with a pass efficiency rating of 159.32.
After an accomplished college career at Michigan, Harbaugh entered the 1987 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round as the 26th overall draft pick to start his pro football career.
NFL Career
After being drafted in the first round by the Chicago Bears in 1987, Jim Harbaugh played for them as a quarterback until 1994. He did not get much playing time at first as he adjusted to the NFL. In 1994, Harbaugh was traded to the Indianapolis Colts where he became their starting quarterback.
He had great success there, leading the team to the AFC Championship game in 1995. Harbaugh played for the Colts until 1997 when he joined the Baltimore Ravens for a year and then the San Diego Chargers for two years before retiring in 2000. Though he never made a Super Bowl as a player, Harbaugh had a solid NFL career spanning 14 seasons.
Coaching Career
Jim Harbaugh quickly transitioned to coaching after retirement. He started as the quarterback coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2002 for two seasons. In 2004, he became the head coach at the University of San Diego leading them for three years. Harbaugh then moved on to Stanford University, coaching them from 2007 to 2010. He led Stanford to major bowl games in his final two years.
In 2011, the San Francisco 49ers hired Harbaugh as their head coach. He rapidly turned the team around, leading them to the NFC championship and then to Super Bowl 47 in 2012-13.
After another successful season, the 49ers’ performance declined due to injuries and management conflicts, so Harbaugh left to become the new head coach at the University of Michigan in 2015. He still holds this position, returning Michigan to a top college football program.
Contract Details
Jim Harbaugh became the University of Michigan’s head coach in 2015. In 2022, he agreed to a 5-year, $36.7 million contract extension to remain as coach.
Harbaugh and Michigan had already begun discussions about another updated extension deal before the recent scandal erupted.
Net Worth
Jim Harbaugh has a net worth of $40 million as of 2023. His substantial wealth is attributed to his successful career as a player and coach, along with various endorsements and business ventures. Harbaugh’s annual base salary is reported to be $5 million, with an additional $2 million paid to a life insurance policy.
His coaching contracts, especially during his tenure with the University of Michigan, have been a significant factor in his wealth accumulation. Additionally, he has endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Visa, and Chevrolet.
Cars and House
Jim Harbaugh owns a Dodge Challenger SRT Demon muscle car. He also purchased a $2.6 million modern mansion in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2015 when he became Michigan’s coach.
The 10,000 square foot home has 6 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, a gym, a swimming pool, and a garage with space for six cars. Harbaugh has lived in this palatial house throughout his tenure as the Wolverines’ head coach.
