Jim Harbaugh compares training camp to a rocket taking off

Jim Harbaugh is already in midseason form, as it pertains to his entertaining press conferences at training camp with the Los Angeles Chargers.

During his first stint in the NFL and over his time with the Michigan Wolverines, you could fill a book with Harbaugh’s metaphors and comparisons that he’s related to football over the last decade. Evidently, that’s going to continue, as he returns to the professional level.

Speaking with the media earlier this week, Harbaugh compared training camp to a rocket taking off, complete with sound effects and everything in between.

“It’s just, the analogy of a rocket taking off, you know?,” Harbaugh said, before making rocket noises. “Then, before you know it, boom. Or a plane going down the runway. It starts at a dead stop, and then it builds up speed, gets faster and faster, going so fast that it just has to leave the ground, and then, you know, there’s a little bit of a glide that takes place, and then, before you know It, you’re up to 30,000 feet.”

The Chargers are certainly hoping Harbaugh’s addition is similar to a rocket in Los Angeles. The franchise has immense talent throughout their roster, and they’ve been trying to build around Justin Herbert, but it feels like they’ve only been spinning their wheels over the last couple of seasons.

Just call Jim Harbaugh NASA, because he’s the man for the job in Los Angeles. What he’s done for the San Francisco 49ers and Michigan Wolverines is well publicized, and the Chargers are hoping for similar results in 2024 and beyond.

Jim Harbaugh on working with Justin Herbert: ‘It’s been incredible’

Moreover, Jim Harbaugh already has an advantage over other first-year coaches. The new guy with the Chargers inherited a young quarterback who already has made a Pro Bowl.

It’s why Harbaugh is so high on Justin Herbert. The Chargers selected Herbert, the former Oregon star, with the sixth pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Herbert earned Rookie of the Year. And then the next season, he earned a spot in the Pro Bowl after throwing for 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns.

By 2022, Herbert helped lead the Chargers to the playoffs. Last year was a step back after Herbert needed surgery to repair his index finger. As you can tell, Harbaugh can build around Herbert.

“He’s been incredible,” the Chargers new head coach told reporters. “I think it’s probably the reaction that everybody has. From my standpoint, I knew he was really good, but you’re right up next to him watching where you can feel the way the ball comes out of his hand. When it comes out, it’s going a lot faster than you think, than it looks on tape. 

“He’s bigger, taller than you’d think watching TV,” Harbaugh said of Herbert. “The athleticism and strength, really, he could play tight end here. He could play edge rusher here. And the arm talent is even better than advertised. It’s an exciting thing. I found myself just sitting at my desk at times, going, ‘He’s on our team!’”

Now, the main goal is turning around the Chargers. A 5-12 record isn’t acceptable. But Harbaugh has a quarterback he can use as a base.

On3’s Suzanne Haliburton contributed to this article.