Jim Harbaugh is headed back to the NFL, it appears.

Harbaugh will leave Michigan to become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, according to multiple reports. The 60-year-old former Wolverines quarterback departs his alma mater after leading it to a 15-0 record and its first national championship in 26 years in 2023.

Harbaugh previously coached in the NFL with San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, compiling a 44-19-1 record. The 49ers reached the Super Bowl in his second season, losing 34-31 to a Baltimore Ravens team coached by his older brother, John.

Harbaugh was 86-25 in nine seasons at Michigan, with College Football Playoff berths in each of the last three years. The Wolverines finally broke through in 2023, beating Alabama 27-20 in overtime in the Rose Bowl semifinal game on New Year’s Day before topping Washington 34-13 for the championship in Houston a week later.

But there were off-field issues during the latter stages of his Michigan tenure. After serving a three-game suspension due to NCAA violations to start the 2023 season, the Wolverines became embroiled in one of the more highly publicized scandals in recent college football history.

Former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions resigned after widespread allegations he used impermissible advance scouting to steal opponents’ signals. Harbaugh was never directly implicated, but nevertheless was suspended by the Big Ten for the final three games of the regular season — including the finale against arch-rival Ohio State.

Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who filled in as Michigan’s acting head coach during Harbaugh’s suspension, is a likely candidate to replace him permanently. There have also been rumors that LSU’s Brian Kelly has long coveted the Michigan job.

Harbaugh, who also coached on the college level at San Diego and Stanford before taking the 49ers job, inherits a Chargers team that went 5-12 and finished in last place in the AFC West in 2023. However, Los Angeles does have a number of star players, including quarterback Justin Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler, wide receiver Keenan Allen, linebacker Khalil Mack and safety Derwin James.

The Chargers appeared to acknowledge the hire with a pair of social media posts, one of the well-worn “white smoke” gif (signifying a decision had been made) and the other including Harbaugh’s signature catch phrase “Who’s got it better than us?”

Harbaugh’s new team will pick fifth in April’s NFL draft.