Jim Harbaugh has agreed to leave Michigan to become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers on a five-year deal. 

"The only job you start at the top is digging a hole, so we know we've got to earn our way," Harbaugh said in a statement. "... This organization is putting in the work -- investing capital, building infrastructure and doing everything within its power to win. Great effort equals great results, and we're just getting started."

Harbaugh is coming off a national championship at Michigan and also reached the NFC Championship in his first three NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

Harbaugh also played quarterback for the Chargers for two seasons (1999-2000).

"Jim Harbaugh is football personified, and I can think of no one better to lead the Chargers forward," owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. "The son of a coach, brother of a coach and father of a coach who himself was coached by names like Schembechler and Ditka, for the past two decades Jim has led hundreds of men to success everywhere he's been -- as their coach. And today, Jim Harbaugh returns to the Chargers, this time as our coach. Who has it better than us?"