Early Life and Education of Jim Harbaugh: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Jim Harbaugh. A timeline of key moments.

Jim Harbaugh is an American football coach and former quarterback. He's known for his successful coaching career, including stints as head coach for the Los Angeles Chargers (NFL), University of Michigan, San Francisco 49ers, Stanford University, and University of San Diego. As a player, Harbaugh was a quarterback in the NFL for 14 seasons, most notably with the Chicago Bears (1987-1993). He also played college football at Michigan (1983-1986). Harbaugh has a proven track record of success at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

December 23, 1963: Jim Harbaugh Born

On December 23, 1963, James Joseph Harbaugh was born. He is an American football coach and former quarterback, currently the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers of the NFL.

1967: Father's Coaching Positions

In 1967, Jack Harbaugh, Jim's father, held assistant coaching positions at Morehead State and Bowling Green.

1970: Father's Coaching Position at Bowling Green

From 1967 to 1970, Jack Harbaugh was an assistant coach at Bowling Green.

1971: Father's Coaching Position at Iowa

From 1971, Jack Harbaugh was an assistant coach at Iowa.

1973: Father's Coaching Position at Michigan

From 1973, Jack Harbaugh was an assistant coach at Michigan.

1979: End of Father's Coaching Position at Michigan

In 1979, Jack Harbaugh's tenure as assistant coach at Michigan concluded.

1980: Father's Coaching Position at Stanford

From 1980, Jack Harbaugh was an assistant coach at Stanford.

1981: End of Father's Coaching Position at Stanford

In 1981, Jack Harbaugh's tenure as assistant coach at Stanford concluded.

February 1982: Committed to Play for Michigan Wolverines

In February 1982, Jim Harbaugh committed to play football for Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football team.

1982: Graduation from Palo Alto High School

In 1982, Jim Harbaugh graduated from Palo Alto High School.

1982: High School Graduation and Enrollment at the University of Michigan

In 1982, after graduating from high school in Palo Alto, California, Jim Harbaugh returned to Ann Arbor and enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he played quarterback for the Wolverines.

April 1985: Arm Healed

By April 1985, Jim Harbaugh's arm had healed, and he completed 10 of 16 passes for 146 yards in the annual spring game.

1986: Father's Coaching Position at Western Michigan

From 1982 to 1986, Jack Harbaugh was an assistant coach at Western Michigan.

1986: Bachelor of Arts Degree

In 1986, Jim Harbaugh received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in communications from the University of Michigan.

1994: Unpaid Assistant Coach at Western Kentucky University

From 1994 to 2001, Jim Harbaugh was an unpaid assistant coach at Western Kentucky University (WKU) under his father Jack Harbaugh.

1994: Appearance in The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.

In 1994, Jim Harbaugh made a cameo appearance as a cowboy in "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.", a Western/science fiction TV show.

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1996: Appearance on Saved by the Bell: The New Class

In 1996, Jim Harbaugh appeared on the TV show Saved by the Bell: The New Class, playing the cousin of the character Screech.

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2001: Unpaid Assistant Coach at Western Kentucky University

From 1994 to 2001, Jim Harbaugh was an unpaid assistant coach at Western Kentucky University (WKU) under his father Jack Harbaugh.

2001: Panther Racing's IRL Championship Win

In 2001, Panther Racing, co-owned by Jim Harbaugh, won the IRL championship. The team chose to keep the number 4, associated with Harbaugh's jersey number, rather than switching to number 1.

2002: Quarterback Coach for Oakland Raiders

In 2002 and 2003, Jim Harbaugh served as the quarterback coach for the Oakland Raiders.

2002: Panther Racing Wins Second IRL Championship

In 2002, Panther Racing, co-owned by Jim Harbaugh, secured their second consecutive IRL championship, continuing to honor Harbaugh's legacy by maintaining the number 4 on their main car.

2002: Involved in Recruiting for National Champion Team

Jim Harbaugh was involved in recruiting 17 players on Western Kentucky University's 2002 Division I-AA national champion team.

2003: Quarterback Coach for Oakland Raiders

In 2002 and 2003, Jim Harbaugh served as the quarterback coach for the Oakland Raiders.

2003: Ravens Stadium Renamed

In 2003, Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards was renamed M&T Bank Stadium.

2004: Head Football Coach at University of San Diego

Prior to the 2004 season, Jim Harbaugh was named head football coach at the University of San Diego.

2005: Pioneer Football League Championship

In 2005, Jim Harbaugh directed the Toreros to an 11-1 record and won the Pioneer Football League championship.

December 2006: Head Football Coach at Stanford University

In December 2006, Jim Harbaugh was named the head football coach at Stanford University.

2006: Second Consecutive Pioneer League Title

In 2006, the University of San Diego, under Jim Harbaugh, won their second consecutive Pioneer League title.

2008: Marriage to Sarah Feuerborn

In 2008, Jim Harbaugh married Sarah Feuerborn, marking the beginning of his second marriage.

November 2012: Cardioversion Procedure

In November 2012, Jim Harbaugh underwent a cardioversion procedure to correct an arrhythmia, an abnormal heartbeat rhythm.

June 13, 2017: Spoke about Access to Justice

On June 13, 2017, Jim Harbaugh spoke in Washington, D.C., in the Senate Building about the gap in access to justice for low-income Americans, highlighting the 2017 LSC report, "The Justice Gap: Measuring the Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-Income Americans."

2018: Appearance on Detroiters

In 2018, Jim Harbaugh portrayed himself on the Comedy Central series Detroiters in the episode "Little Caesars".

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April 2020: Opposition to Abortion Stated

In a podcast interview in April 2020, Jim Harbaugh expressed his opposition to abortion, labeling medical abortion as "horrendous" and emphasizing the sanctity of life.

July 2022: Speech at Anti-Abortion Event

In July 2022, Jim Harbaugh spoke at an anti-abortion event, advocating for the rights of the unborn with the statement, "Have the courage to let the unborn be born".