Jim Harbaugh's First Day Back At NFL Training Camp Is 'Like Being Born'

The start of training camp is a wonderful time around the NFL. It's a great feeling to see the return of professional football and know that America's greatest sport is ramping up for another season.

Jim Harbaugh feels this way. But that description probably doesn't go far enough.

Because ask the Los Angeles Chargers coach how he feels on the first day of training camp and then be ready for surprises.

Jul 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh talks with tight end Donald Parham Jr. (89) during the first day of training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Harbaugh Makes NFL Camp Return

"Just great to start," Harbaugh began on Wednesday. "It's great to have the start. I was just thinking of this is the first day of school, homecoming, Christmas, I mean, Christmas Day, all wrapped into one day."

OK, a little corny but a man's got a right to his opinion.

Except Harbaugh wasn't done giving his opinion.

Harbaugh is coaching his first season with the Chargers after being the Michigan coach the previous nine years, including last year when the Wolverines won the national championship.

So how does the move from college back to the NFL feel on the first day, coach?

Get ready for this:

Harbaugh Feels Like He Was Just Born

"Yeah, definitely changes, it feels like New Year's Day," Harbaugh said. "It feels like being born. Feels like coming out of the womb, you know? Like, you're in there and it's comfortable and safe, and now, poof, you're out. You're born.

"Lights are on. It's bright. You got chaos. People looking at you. People talking at you. It just feels good to have it happen."

He forget the getting slapped in the butt part, but that will probably come back around when the Chargers play the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Anyway, the Harbaugh era in Los Angeles is going to be fun and is likely going to provide some interesting content. (Truth is previous coach Brandon Staley provided content in that he struggled so mightily that it was hard to ignore).

That's not going to be Harbaugh.

Yes, the new coach has his unique approach. But the players are digging it.

Jul 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh instructs on the field during the first day of training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Herbert Loving Harbaugh

"It's been awesome," quarterback Justin Herbert said. "He's a great leader, obviously very smart, intelligent. He's played the game. He knows how to coach it. He knows how to motivate it. 

"So having him around has been awesome. We've learned a bunch. And it's good to see him out there throwing the ball around at practice, too."

Yeah, but weird personality?

Herbert, whose personality came under scrutiny prior to the 2020 draft, doesn't think so.

"He brings a bunch of energy," Herbert said. "He's always the same person and that's why we respect him so much. It's the same guy every day. And to have a leader like that, we're looking forward to playing for him."

Jul 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) speaks to the media after the first day of training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Players Also Buying Harbaugh

This isn't the quarterback loving on a coach who played quarterback in the NFL. Because Chargers defensive players are enjoying Harbaugh's first training camp with the team as well.

"He wants it every day," safety Derwin James said of Harbaugh. "And it's contagious. It passes down to everybody, from the coaches to the players, and we want to go out there and just play hard."

One more thing that's cool about Harbaugh: That like being born analogy he gave reporters on Wednesday?

He used it on his players the day before. He apparently believes this so much he told players this stuff and then took it public.

"He said, like, suddenly you're in the world," James said with a broad smile. "He just gave me that one yesterday, so that was a good one. He's his own guy, man. I love him. We love him."