Jacksonville Jaguars: The argument for hiring Jim Harbaugh as HC

The Jacksonville Jaguars could use Jim Harbaugh’s proven track record.

Before Harbaugh became their head coach in 2011, the San Francisco 49ers were in a state of disarray and hadn’t posted a winning season since 2002. The year before he arrived, the ‘Niners’ were 6-10 and ranked 24th in offense and 13th on defense.

Harbaugh oversaw a makeover and the 49ers went 13-3 and reached the NFC Championship in his first year at the helm. Meanwhile, the defense ranked third in points allowed and the offense was 11th in scoring. Also, he helped to change the perception surrounding quarterback Alex Smith.

Smith was the first overall pick in 2005’s Player Selection Meeting but hadn’t done much of note and looked like a bust before Harbaugh took the reins in San Francisco. In their first year together, the quarterback was 273-of445 for 3,144 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Moreover, he averaged a career-high 7.1 yards per attempt.

Smith would later lose his job to Colin Kaepernick in 2012 due to a concussion he suffered in Week 10 and was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs the following offseason, but his reputation received a boost during his time under Harbaugh.

Kaepernick also had the best years of his career under Harbaugh and although the 49ers made it to the Super Bowl on the strength of the second-best ranked defense, the quarterback played a key role.

All in all, Harbaugh has shown the ability to develop quarterback and turn programs around throughout most of his career. That kind of resume should get the Jaguar’s attention, right?