John And Jim Harbaugh stand out as one of football’s most iconic sibling duos. Both brothers have reached the pinnacle of professional football, serving as head coaches in the NFL. John Harbaugh expertly leads the Baltimore Ravens, while Jim Harbaugh recently took the helm of the Los Angeles Chargers after a successful stint as head coach for the University of Michigan Wolverines. Their shared journey to the top, including Jim’s prior NFL coaching experience, marks them as the first siblings to both hold head coaching positions in the league.
The 2023 season highlighted their ongoing success, with Jim leading Michigan to a national championship victory in January 2024 and John guiding the Ravens to the AFC North’s top seed. As the NFL season progresses, anticipation builds for their upcoming head-to-head matchup on November 25th, marking the third such encounter in their careers.
However, the story of John and Jim Harbaugh extends far beyond their current coaching roles. Their football legacy is deeply rooted, tracing back decades. Notably, Jim previously coached the San Francisco 49ers, leading them to Super Bowl XLVII where they faced off against John’s Baltimore Ravens in 2013.
Despite Jim’s transition from the NFL to college football with Michigan, the brothers have remained steadfast in their mutual support. Prior to Michigan’s championship game, John publicly affirmed his plans to be in Houston, Texas, cheering on his brother from the sidelines.
Their sister, Joani Crean, offered insight into their bond in a 2024 interview with the Associated Press: “Everybody in a family has a different personality. They care about the same things,” she explained. “Maybe they go about things differently, but I think that’s more of a perception than reality. They’re caring human beings.”
Crean further emphasized the genuine nature of their personalities, stating, “I know people don’t want to hear that, but that’s the truth. You can’t fake things in a locker room, or a building, in sports and there’s nothing fake about them and that’s part of why they’re successful.”
From their upbringing immersed in football to their unwavering support for each other’s teams, here’s a deeper look into the unique sibling relationship of John and Jim Harbaugh.
Born into the Gridiron: Ohio Beginnings
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:0:1001×2)/john-jim-harbaugh-2-2f7a06792347492991c2dfd67a8c1966.jpg)
John Harbaugh and Jim Harbaugh during a Super Bowl XLVII press conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, 2013.
Jackie and Jack Harbaugh, the parents of the siblings, welcomed their first son, John, on September 23, 1962, followed by Jim on December 23, 1963. Completing their family, their younger sister Joani was born in 1968.
Toledo, Ohio, became the brothers’ birthplace, coinciding with their father Jack’s coaching position at a local high school football team, embedding football into their lives from the very beginning.
A Childhood Steeped in Football Culture
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:0:1001×2)/john-jim-harbaugh-3-5a430c12e7b942998ca9207265729580.jpg)
John and Jim Harbaugh with their parents, Jack and Jackie, and grandfather Joe Cipiti at a Super Bowl XLVII press conference.
Jack Harbaugh’s career progressed into college football, with coaching roles at Western Michigan University and Western Kentucky University. Even after retiring from coaching and becoming the athletic director at Marquette University in 2002, his sons provided avenues for him to remain connected to the sport he loved, inviting him to be involved with their respective teams.
“I probably should have stayed in it a little longer,” Jack reflected in a 2024 Sports Illustrated interview. “But the fact that they’ve allowed me to be around the team, engage with the players and the coaches — it’s filled that void a little bit.”
Despite retirement, both Jack and Jackie are avid supporters of their sons, whether they are present on the sidelines or watching from home.
During the first head-to-head game between Jim and John in November 2011, Jackie expressed her hope for a tie, unable to bear seeing either son defeated.
“Of course, they both wanted to win, that’s what it’s all about,” she mentioned in a 2013 WRTV Indianapolis interview leading up to their Super Bowl clash. “My wish, of course, was can this please end in a tie? I hope the Super Bowl does too but I know it isn’t going to.”
Married for over six decades, Jackie and Jack continue to be their sons’ biggest cheerleaders. Following Michigan’s Rose Bowl victory in 2024, Jackie exuberantly responded to a WXYZ reporter’s question about the win: “Are you kidding me?! They won! What’s better than that?!”
Jack humorously added to the interview, recounting their superstitious actions during the tense game. As Michigan struggled, Jackie suggested switching seats to alter the team’s luck – a move that seemingly paid off.
John later commented on his parents’ unwavering support and personalities, “That is so classic of them. … It probably did make the difference,” according to AP. “My dad is fun, but he’s a little bit polished, he’s been interviewed before. My mom — you put a microphone in front of her face, or you hang out with her for a couple of minutes, you don’t even have to ask her what she thinks, she’s going to tell you what she thinks.”
John Harbaugh: Leading the Baltimore Ravens Dynasty
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:0:1001×2)/john-jim-harbaugh-4-fd471549f9a342cc88105cbb8d19aa32.jpg)
John Harbaugh coaching the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, 2022.
John Harbaugh’s NFL journey commenced as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998. His dedication and expertise led to his promotion to defensive backs coach in 2007.
In a surprising turn, the Baltimore Ravens appointed John as their head coach in 2008. This decision was unexpected as John lacked prior head coaching experience and had not served as an offensive or defensive coordinator in the NFL.
Since then, John has solidified his position, achieving remarkable success with the Ravens, including a Super Bowl victory in 2013 and most recently securing the coveted no. 1 seed in the AFC during the 2023 NFL season, building a consistent legacy with the Baltimore Ravens franchise.
Jim Harbaugh: From Michigan Quarterback to Wolverines Head Coach and Beyond
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:0:1001×2)/john-jim-harbaugh-5-feecb1986f96428f9e33c4e8b9fc04d4.jpg)
Jim and John Harbaugh during a Michigan Wolverines game against the Maryland Terrapins in College Park, Maryland, 2015.
Jim Harbaugh’s career path has been more varied than his brother’s, starting as a celebrated quarterback for the University of Michigan in 1982. His outstanding performance earned him the Big Ten Player of the Year title in his senior year, 1986.
Following his collegiate success, Jim played in the NFL for 14 seasons with teams such as the Chicago Bears and even the Baltimore Ravens. After retiring as a player, Jim transitioned to coaching college football, eventually becoming head coach at Stanford University in 2007. He spent three years at Stanford before moving to the NFL to coach the San Francisco 49ers in 2010.
In 2014, Jim made an unprecedented move, becoming the first NFL head coach to leave for a college team when he departed the 49ers amidst rumors of internal conflicts. He accepted the head coach position at his alma mater, the University of Michigan, in the 2015 season.
The pinnacle of Jim’s college coaching career arrived in January 2024 when he led Michigan to the NCAA championship. In a press conference following the victory, Jim humorously remarked that the win finally granted him a seat at the “big person’s table” within his accomplished family.
“They won’t keep me over there in the little table anymore,” he joked, according to CBS Sports. “My dad, Jack Harbaugh, won a national championship and my brother won a Super Bowl so good to be at the big person table from now on.”
John was present to celebrate Jim and Michigan’s triumph, embracing his brother on the field, captured in an NFL video, with the words, “You did it!”
Following this monumental victory, it was announced that Jim would be returning to the NFL to lead the Los Angeles Chargers, marking a new chapter in his coaching career.
“Harbaugh Bowl”: Super Bowl XLVII Sibling Showdown
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:0:1001×2)/john-jim-harbaugh-6-bf916dcddba941d1911bd7358ef137d1.jpg)
Jim and John Harbaugh after a Ravens victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, 2015.
Before the rise of the Kelce brothers, John and Jim Harbaugh captivated the nation as the original sibling coaches to face each other on a grand stage – Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. This historic matchup, quickly dubbed the “Harbaugh Bowl” or “Harbowl,” thrust the brothers into the national spotlight.
The intense media attention surrounding the “Harbowl” was something the siblings attempted to downplay, aiming to keep the focus on their respective teams and players.
“It’s not exactly [Winston] Churchill and [Theodore] Roosevelt,” John commented, as reported by The Guardian. “We get it, [the story is] really cool, and it’s really exciting and all of that. But it’s really about the team. It’s about the players. The more we focus on those guys, the better it is for everybody.”
Brotherly Backing: Support During Michigan’s Sign-Stealing Allegations
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:0:751×2)/john-jim-harbaugh-7-c3511b5553de440f8363381c36549fc4.jpg)
Jim Harbaugh on the field for the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium, 2023.
In November 2023, the University of Michigan faced allegations of illegally studying and stealing opponents’ play signs, a tactic used by coaches to communicate strategies to players. An NCAA investigation ensued, resulting in a three-game suspension for Jim Harbaugh during the season.
Throughout this challenging period, John publicly defended his brother, asserting that the investigation had found no “substance” against Jim.
“His phones, his computers and all that stuff have been looked at, and he’s come through this thing with flying colors,” John stated at a press conference, according to AP. “I don’t know what they are trying to get, but they don’t have anything of substance, and I just think I’m proud of him. I think it’s a real compliment to our family and to him, something for us to be proud of.”
During Jim’s suspension, John extended his support further by hosting Jim at his Baltimore home to watch Michigan’s game against the University of Maryland together.
Sideline Brotherhood: Mutual Support in Action
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:0:1001×2)/john-jim-harbaugh-8-d921d643525b4edcb5fc624d1f20df3e.jpg)
Jim and John Harbaugh together on the sidelines at a Michigan Wolverines game against Maryland in 2015.
While their head-to-head coaching days might be less frequent now, John and Jim actively support each other by attending games and offering sideline insights.
In 2015, John joined Jim on the sidelines during a Michigan game against Maryland.
“It’s an honor to be on the sideline with him,” Jim commented after the game, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. “He gave good input during the game. It’s cool for our players. He talked to them after. It’s good to have him get to know our team.”
When questioned about offering play suggestions, John playfully dismissed the idea, joking that he might have been more of a distraction.
“That would probably be way overstated,” he said. “I think I screwed him up on one play there. He blamed me. I distracted him.”
Jim has also reciprocated, appearing at Ravens games to support John. After leaving the NFL previously, Jim was seen on the Ravens’ sidelines, offering his brother coaching perspectives.
“You catch each other’s eye,” John explained. “Same thing when he was at our game in Pittsburgh. I walked over and just asked him, ‘Hey what are you seeing? What do you think?’ And you’re always seeing something that you can share. You just hope like crazy that if you suggest something it actually works. You don’t want to suggest the thing that doesn’t work and costs them the game or something like that. Thank god that didn’t happen today.”
The story of John and Jim Harbaugh is more than just a tale of two successful coaches; it’s a testament to family, shared passion, and the enduring bond between brothers in the fiercely competitive world of professional football.
