culture easy to
identify difficult to
define – a rare skill
Culture is easy to identify but difficult to define. You know a good one when you see it, when you feel it. Understanding the specifics of what it takes to build one? That is a rare skill.
Harbaugh has changed the Chargers’ culture in one season. The Chargers went from 5-12 in 2023 to 11-6 in 2024. They are in the playoffs and will play at the Houston Texans in the wild-card round on Saturday afternoon.
How did he do it? The trust exists in the moments. In doing up-downs in front of the team. In reciting Black Eyed Peas lyrics. In wearing Jordan cleats to every practice while doing drills with his players. In wearing powder blue gloves on game day while catching passes from Herbert.
The process cannot be faked. It cannot be rushed. This culture was built day by day, brick by brick, steady and gradual. It was proven and reinforced by, as Slater put it, “Coach Harbaugh being Coach Harbaugh.”
“You don’t really get buy-in if people don’t look at you and say, ‘He’s being authentic. He’s being real,” Slater said. “He’s so vulnerable and OK with just being goofy like that — because that’s just how he is — that you have no choice but to respect it.”
From How Jim Harbaugh built the Chargers culture: Black Eyed Peas, blue-collar gifts, authenticity by Daniel Popper, Jan 9, 2025, in the Athletic (click here for PDF).
I hear you Mr. Popper.
I agree with you Mr. Popper.
Still, in the early years of Mr. Harbaugh coaching on the University of Michigan, I got my Doctor to write, Suffers from Harbaugh on my chart (he was a Notre Dame Grad) but my insurance refused to cover it.
I went to school with Jimmy Harbaugh.
Saw him often in the hallways of buildings of the University of Michigan.
Doubt he ever saw me.
I admit he can make athletes achieve things they didn’t know they could and as long as you win, the show works.
And I enjoyed that Championship season very much and thank you.
But in my book, you will always be, Jim “I lost the Brown Jug” Harbaugh.
Time can’t change that.
No Haiku For You 