The Los Angeles Chargers have been roundly praised for hiring Jim Harbaugh off the back of winning an NCAA National Championship as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. And that praise isn’t without merit. He has proved to be a winner wherever he coaches.
This has led to the well-trodden ‘leader of men’ moniker being placed on his head, an anointing that Harbaugh seemingly wears with great pride. Since his arrival to Southern California, Harbaugh has spoken at great length about the leadership principles and practices to make the Chargers a winning football team. In his opening statement to fans, Harbaugh spoke of one of those principles; accountability.
“I report to the Spanos family and ownership,” Harbaugh said. “I also feel like I report to the fans. I report to the players. I’m accountable to all those in the organization.”
Jim Harbaugh’s Statement Flys in the Face Of Leadership Stance
On Monday, Harbaugh released a statement about the Notice of Allegations against his former employer, the University of Michigan. In it, Harbaugh does an about-face from what he professed to Chargers fans. He refused accountability for the failings of the program that he was assuredly leading. Even within the statement, the is a disconnect between what he professes at the beginning and what he ultimately expects from himself.
“Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal. I was raised with that lesson,” he said, reading from an apparent prepared statement. “I have raised my family on that lesson. I have preached that lesson to the teams that I’ve coached. No one’s perfect. If you stumble, you apologize and you make it right. Today, I do not apologize. I did not participate, was not aware nor complicit in those said allegations. So, it’s back to work and attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”
Ignorance Does Not Exclude You From Responsibility
A hard lesson many have learned over the years is that ignorance of a rule doesn’t always exclude you from punishment for breaking the rule. This applies doubly (or should) to those at the top of organizations. While it may be true that Harbaugh “did not participate, was not aware nor complicit in” the violations, as the head of the organization, players, coaches, and staff, he should be held responsible for what was done under his watch, by those under his leadership.
Furthermore, now that Harbaugh is outside the jurisdiction of the NCAA, he can’t be punished, unless he returns to college coaching. Even if he did shoulder the blame, that he failed as a leader, his denial only accomplishes saving face.
“We’re going to do it or die trying“
Accountability wasn’t all Harbaugh talked about in his introductory press conference.
“I’m not going to be shy about stating it: we want to be known as world champions,” Harbaugh added. “We’re going to do it or die trying.”
It is clear that this ‘by any means necessary’ approach isn’t an exaggeration. Let’s just hope it doesn’t result in the Chargers being left standing on scorched earth, isolated by burnt bridges.
