Jim Harbaugh hires former star player to Chargers’ staff

As Jim Harbaugh rounds out his coaching staff with the Los Angeles Chargers, he’ll be reuniting with one of his former top players.

NaVorro Bowman, who played with the San Francisco 49ers from 2010-2017 and starred during Harbaugh’s tenure, will be joining the coaching staff as linebackers coach.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported the news.

“Bowman was essentially a coach on the field when he was manning that really, really stout and nasty 49ers defense of about a decade ago, he now joins Harbaugh once again — expected to land on the Chargers staff,” Rapoport said.

From Super Bowl Live: NaVorro Bowman is expected to land on the #Chargers coaching staff. pic.twitter.com/O12pLEVT0T

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 10, 2024

Harbaugh was Bowman’s coach for much of his NFL career. Bowman became a starting inside linebacker for the 49ers in 2011, his second NFL season and Harbaugh’s first with the team. Harbaugh left following the 2014 season and Bowman remained with the 49ers until into the 2017 season. He was released midway through that season and finished his career with the then-Oakland Raiders.

Bowman was one of the NFL’s best inside linebackers during his career and formed one of the best inside linebacker pairings in league history with new Hall of Famer, Patrick Willis. Bowman was a First-Team All-Pro three times (2011-2013) and a Pro Bowler four times playing next to Willis. An injury sustained in the NFC Championship Game following the 2013 season cost Bowman the entire 2014 season.

While both Harbaugh and Willis were gone when he returned in 2015, Bowman again earned First-Team All-Pro honors and made the Pro Bowl.

Bowman has spent the last three years working as a defensive analyst for the University of Maryland’s football team.

[Ian Rapoport on Twitter/X]