Jim Harbaugh offered Colin Kaepernick coaching job with Chargers but QB won’t be on staff in 2024
Harbaugh coached Kaepernick from 2011 to 2014 when he played for the San Francisco 49ers.
Kaepernick Won't Be Joining Chargers Staff, Harbaugh Says
Despite offering Colin Kaepernick a coaching position within the Chargers in January, head coach Jim Harbaugh has confirmed that Kaepernick will not be part of the team's staff in 2024, either as a coach or player.
"I love Colin, but he's not going to be on the coaching staff I set for this year, and he's not going to be playing on the roster either," Harbaugh told reporters Thursday.
Harbaugh initially reached out to Kaepernick about joining the team in a coaching capacity after being hired as the Chargers head coach, according to USA Today. However, Harbaugh confirmed that the two haven't spoken since February and that Kaepernick hasn't reconnected with him about the coaching opportunity.
Meanwhile, Kaepernick, 36, maintains his desire to play in the NFL . He hasn't played since the 2016 season, when he began protesting racial inequality and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem.
"We're still training, still pushing," Kaepernick told Sky Sports. "We just need one of these team owners to open up."
Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid filed a lawsuit against the NFL in 2017, accusing the league's 32 teams of colluding to keep them out of the sport after their anthem protests. They settled with the league in 2019.
Harbaugh coached Kaepernick from 2011 to 2014 during his time with the San Francisco 49ers . Kaepernick led the team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2012 and threw a career-high 21 touchdown passes in 2013. The two have remained close since then, with Harbaugh even making Kaepernick an honorary captain during a Michigan spring game in 2022.
Harbaugh has been a vocal supporter of Kaepernick's fight for social justice and has hired several players from his time with the 49ers as coaches for the Chargers. This includes three-time Pro Bowler NaVorro Bowman as linebackers coach, former fullback/defensive lineman Will Tukuafu as assistant defensive line coach, and Super Bowl XLIV champion Jonathan Goodwin as assistant offense/quarterbacks coach. Three-time Pro Bowler Delanie Walker and four-time Pro Bowler Mike Iupati are coaching interns for training camp.
Harbaugh is set to begin his first season as Chargers head coach seven months after leading Michigan to a national championship. He coached the Wolverines from 2015 to 2023, having parted ways with the 49ers after the 2014 season.
Harbaugh expressed his excitement about returning to the NFL and leading the Chargers. He said he's "right back at it" following the championship win and is "attacking" the opportunity with "enthusiasm." He's aiming to improve on the Chargers' 5-12 record from last season, stating he "wants more" from his players.
"I am here. So this is where my feet are. And this is where all my focus is," Harbaugh said.
During his six seasons in the NFL , Kaepernick compiled a 28-30 record as a starter, passing for 12,271 yards and 72 touchdowns against 30 interceptions. He also rushed for 2,300 yards and 13 scores during that time.
Despite offering Colin Kaepernick a coaching position within the Chargers in January, head coach Jim Harbaugh has confirmed that Kaepernick will not be part of the team's staff in 2024, either as a coach or player.
"I love Colin, but he's not going to be on the coaching staff I set for this year, and he's not going to be playing on the roster either," Harbaugh told reporters Thursday.
Harbaugh initially reached out to Kaepernick about joining the team in a coaching capacity after being hired as the Chargers head coach, according to USA Today. However, Harbaugh confirmed that the two haven't spoken since February and that Kaepernick hasn't reconnected with him about the coaching opportunity.
Meanwhile, Kaepernick, 36, maintains his desire to play in the NFL . He hasn't played since the 2016 season, when he began protesting racial inequality and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem.
"We're still training, still pushing," Kaepernick told Sky Sports. "We just need one of these team owners to open up."
Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid filed a lawsuit against the NFL in 2017, accusing the league's 32 teams of colluding to keep them out of the sport after their anthem protests. They settled with the league in 2019.
Harbaugh coached Kaepernick from 2011 to 2014 during his time with the San Francisco 49ers . Kaepernick led the team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2012 and threw a career-high 21 touchdown passes in 2013. The two have remained close since then, with Harbaugh even making Kaepernick an honorary captain during a Michigan spring game in 2022.
Harbaugh has been a vocal supporter of Kaepernick's fight for social justice and has hired several players from his time with the 49ers as coaches for the Chargers. This includes three-time Pro Bowler NaVorro Bowman as linebackers coach, former fullback/defensive lineman Will Tukuafu as assistant defensive line coach, and Super Bowl XLIV champion Jonathan Goodwin as assistant offense/quarterbacks coach. Three-time Pro Bowler Delanie Walker and four-time Pro Bowler Mike Iupati are coaching interns for training camp.
Harbaugh is set to begin his first season as Chargers head coach seven months after leading Michigan to a national championship. He coached the Wolverines from 2015 to 2023, having parted ways with the 49ers after the 2014 season.
Harbaugh expressed his excitement about returning to the NFL and leading the Chargers. He said he's "right back at it" following the championship win and is "attacking" the opportunity with "enthusiasm." He's aiming to improve on the Chargers' 5-12 record from last season, stating he "wants more" from his players.
"I am here. So this is where my feet are. And this is where all my focus is," Harbaugh said.
During his six seasons in the NFL , Kaepernick compiled a 28-30 record as a starter, passing for 12,271 yards and 72 touchdowns against 30 interceptions. He also rushed for 2,300 yards and 13 scores during that time.