Darwin James Jr. has never met a coach who didn’t love the game of football. Everybody in the National Football League loves football deeply.
But when James met new head coach Jim Harbaugh, he saw that the passion and love for the game was on another level.
What exactly are those levels?
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Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh instructs his players on the field during the first day of training camp at The Bolts. (Kiyoshi Mio – USA TODAY Sports)
“He would honestly be happy to die on the football field. That might sound crazy, but that’s how passionate he is,” James told Fox News Digital when asked about his impressions of Harbaugh heading into his first season with the Chargers.
James went into more detail about what he’s seen from Coach Harbaugh, from offseason workouts to training camp today.
“You see it every day in his habits,” he explained. “I get the same message from every coach.” [on the staff]It was great to have him with me. I’m sure the more he coaches me, the more I’ll learn and experience. I meant everything I said in that message.”
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Harbaugh knows what it takes to lead men on the football field, especially at the NFL level, having compiled a 44-19-1 tie record in four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before taking over as Michigan’s head coach in 2015..
There, Harbaugh compiled an 89-25 record, won a national championship and had a perfect 15-0 season.
Whenever a new regime begins for a team, college or the NFL, it’s paramount for a head coach to make the transition as easy as possible and ensure wins are on the record.
Coach Harbaugh has relied on players to do that in the past, including James, who has captaincy-caliber and natural leadership qualities in the locker room.
James has always been known for his confidence as a leader on and off the field, but Coach Harbaugh has already elevated that ability and it’s not even Week 1 yet.
Derwin James Jr. of the Los Angeles Chargers directs a play during mandatory minicamp at the Chargers training facility in Costa Mesa, California, Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (Photo by Paul Barsebach/Media News Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
“I think my leadership has definitely grown under Coach Harbaugh,” James said when asked if his leadership has improved since the new coach took over. “He’s just instilled confidence in me every day, saying, ‘Hey, you’re a great player. You come to work every day and you do everything right. Talk to your teammates. Elevate your teammates.'”
“You just hear it over and over and over every day. And like you said, I’m new to coach. He’s new to me and I’m new to him. So we have to rely on each other.”
During his introductory press conference, Harbaugh praised James as an “inspiring” person to work with this season, and that relationship has already begun on the West Coast.
Both James and Harbaugh know that the positive vibes in the locker room can quickly change if the winning streak doesn’t continue, and the Chargers were a major disappointment last season, going 5-12 after making the playoffs the year before.
Harbaugh has been tasked with rebuilding Los Angeles and will rely on players like James, quarterback Justin Herbert and defensive ends Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa to get the job done with a new scheme and coaching staff.
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. had high praise for new head coach Jim Harbaugh. (Getty Images)
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It all starts when the Las Vegas Raiders travel to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. to take on the Chargers in Week 1, and the passion James feels from Harbaugh will be on full display for the first time on the sideline.
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