Jim Harbaugh goes through first offseason program as head coach of Los Angeles Chargers

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh talked at the NFL scouting combine about how excited he was for April 2. On Tuesday, the date finally arrived.

The Chargers, Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons were the first teams to kick off phrase one of their offseason programs on Tuesday.

Harbaugh likened the occasion to the first day of school.

“It’s a great day. It’s a great day for football, for meetings and training for a lot of baseline training,” Harbaugh said. “It feels like there’s a new lift and energy in the building... It was a good first day.”

USA TODAY Sports was in attendance for the first day of the Chargers’ voluntary offseason program under Harbaugh. Here are the biggest takeaways:

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'Lively' opening day

Phase one of NFL offseason workouts consists of meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation. Harbaugh didn't specify if the Chargers had full attendance on Tuesday, but franchise pillars such as quarterback Justin Herbert and safety Derwin James were in the building, per the team’s social media page.  

“We got right into football, putting the schemes in offensively and defensively, and baseline training,” (Chargers executive director of player performance) Ben Herbert is huge in this phase,” Harbaugh said. “Just finding out where everybody is. Where is their baseline and where do they need improvement on.”

The offense and defense conducted separate meetings.

“It was lively. We’re teaching different schemes,” Harbaugh said of the two meetings. “It was good. I thought our coaches did a great job in the offensive meetings and the same with the defensive meetings. We’ll have special teams meetings starting (Wednesday).”

'Best damn job'

Harbaugh’s a seasoned head coach with head coaching jobs at San Diego (2004–2006), Stanford (2007–2010), San Francisco 49ers (2011–2014) and Michigan (2015–2023) before being hired by the Chargers in January. He’s had success at every stop along the way including a Super Bowl 47 appearance with the 49ers and a 2023 NCAA national title at Michigan. But Harbaugh professed the Chargers have left the best initial impression.  

“This has been the best damn job I’ve ever had to start off with,” Harbaugh said. “I hope it ends that way, but it’s been a tremendous start. I’m excited about the coaching staff and the amount of work that’s been produced over the last month and a half.”

Positions of need?

Cornerback Kristian Fulton, linebacker Denzel Perryman, defensive lineman Poona Ford, center Bradley Bozeman and running back Gus Edwards are five of the biggest free agent additions by the Chargers.

The five players figure to have an impact on a Chargers squad that finished 5-12 last year. When Harbaugh was asked if the Chargers have any positions of need, the coach said he’s still in the process of making that assessment.  

“Just finding that out,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a great opportunity to find that out.”

Wide receiver is a spot the Chargers are thin at after the team lost their top two pass catchers this offseason when Keenan Allen was traded to the Chicago Bears and Mike Williams was released and subsequently signed with the New York Jets.

Los Angeles owns the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 draft and could target a wideout. LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers is taking a top 30 visit with the Chargers on Wednesday, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the matter.

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Play with physicality

Chargers tight end Hayden Hurst, who played for Harbaugh’s older brother John in Baltimore, said his initial takeaway from the offseason program is the Chargers are going to play a physical brand of football.

“From what I’m understanding in the first round of the meetings, that’s the mantra of this place. We’re gonna be physical (and) we’re gonna come at you,” Hurst said. “When you see us pop up on the schedule, it’s gonna be a long Sunday.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.