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Jim Harbaugh

James Joseph Harbaugh (born December 23, 1963) is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the head coach at the University of Michigan from 2015 to 2023, the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, Stanford University from 2007 to 2010 and the University of San Diego from 2004 to 2006.

Harbaugh played college football at Michigan from 1983 to 1986 and played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons from 1987 to 2000 with his longest tenure (1987–1993) as a player with the Chicago Bears.

Harbaugh was born in Toledo, Ohio. His father, Jack Harbaugh, was a football coach, and the family lived in Ohio, Kentucky, Iowa, Michigan, and California. He attended high school in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Palo Alto, California, when his father was an assistant coach at Michigan and Stanford, respectively. After graduation from high school in Palo Alto in 1982, Harbaugh returned to Ann Arbor and enrolled at the University of Michigan and played quarterback for the Wolverines, starting for three seasons. As a fifth-year senior in 1986, he led Michigan to the 1987 Rose Bowl and was a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing third.

The Chicago Bears selected Harbaugh in the first round of the 1987 NFL draft. He played 14 years as a quarterback in the NFL, with Chicago from 1987 to 1993, the Indianapolis Colts from 1994 to 1997, the Baltimore Ravens in 1998, and the San Diego Chargers in 1999 to 2000. He first became a regular starting quarterback in 1990 with Chicago. In 1995 with Indianapolis, he led the Colts to the AFC Championship Game, was selected to the Pro Bowl and was honored as NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

From 1994 to 2001, while still playing in the NFL, Harbaugh was an unpaid assistant coach at Western Kentucky University, where his father Jack was head coach. In 2002, he returned to the NFL as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders. Harbaugh returned to the college ranks in 2004 as the head coach at the University of San Diego. After leading San Diego to consecutive Pioneer League championships in 2005 and 2006, he moved to Stanford in 2007, where he led the Cardinal to two bowl berths in four seasons, including a win in the 2011 Orange Bowl. Immediately afterward, Harbaugh signed a five-year deal as head coach of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, where he led the team to the NFC Championship game in each of his first three seasons after the franchise missed the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons beforehand. He and his older brother, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, became the first pair of brothers to serve as head coaches in NFL history. Their teams played in a Thanksgiving Classic game in 2011 and in Super Bowl XLVII at the end of the 2012 season.

Harbaugh accepted the job as head football coach for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 2015. Harbaugh led the team to three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles, including berths in the College Football Playoff in the 2021 and 2022 season, eventually winning a national championship in 2023: the school's first since 1997, and the first undisputed national championship since 1948.

On January 24, 2024, Harbaugh left Michigan to return to the NFL, signing a five-year contract to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Early life and education
Born in Toledo, Ohio, on December 23, 1963, Harbaugh is the son of Jacqueline M. "Jackie" (née Cipiti) and Jack Harbaugh. His mother is of half-Sicilian and half-Polish ancestry and his father is of Irish and German ancestry. Both Jim and his brother John were born in Toledo, while his father was an assistant football coach at nearby Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg.

During Harbaugh's childhood, the family moved frequently, as his father held assistant coaching positions at Morehead State (1967), Bowling Green (1967–1970), Iowa (1971–1973), Michigan (1973–1979), Stanford (1980–1981), and Western Michigan (1982–1986). Harbaugh played for the junior league Ann Arbor Packers and then for Tappan Junior High before moving on to Pioneer High School. When his father became defensive coordinator at Stanford, he transferred to Palo Alto High School, graduating in 1982.

Harbaugh received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in communications from the University of Michigan in 1986.

1982 and 1983 seasons
In February 1982, Harbaugh committed to play football for Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football team. He came to Michigan with a "high school reputation as a slick California passer."

As a freshman in 1982 Harbaugh, age 18, and junior Dave Hall were backups to quarterback Steve Smith who had broken Michigan's single season record with 2,335 yards of total offense in 1981. In the 1982 season, Smith started all 12 games, and Hall handled the limited backup role. Even as Smith struggled, coach Schembechler expressed a reluctance to play Harbaugh, saying, "To suddenly pull some freshman out of the bag, I don't think you can do that in today's football." Harbaugh did not see any game action in 1982, registered no statistics, and retained four years of eligibility under the NCAA's redshirt rule.

Harbaugh performed well in the annual spring game in April 1983, completing 10 of 15 passes for 116 yards. After the game, coach Schembechler noted, "Harbaugh is a fresh talent who'll be all right, but he has a lot to learn." While Harbaugh was touted as the team's "pass-oriented quarterback of the future," he spent the 1983 season as Michigan's No. 3 quarterback behind Steve Smith and Dave Hall. Smith started 11 games, and Hall started one game, while Harbaugh completed two of five passes for 40 yards in limited action. Harbaugh completed his first pass for Michigan on November 5, 1983, in a 42–10 victory over Purdue.

1984 season
In the spring of 1984, Harbaugh was in a three-way competition for Michigan's starting quarterback job. Three-year starter Steve Smith had graduated, and his backup, Dave Hall, was lost to a knee injury. The 1983 competition pitted Harbaugh against sophomores Chris Zurbrugg and Russ Rein. In April 1984, Schembechler said, "Harbaugh is coming along pretty well. He's having a pretty good spring. Zurbrugg has emerged as a good prospect. There's kind of a battle in there." In the 1984 spring game, Harbaugh impressed observers as he completed 17 of 26 passes for 161 yards and an interception. Schembechler said after the game, "We've been happy with Jim all spring. He's shown a lot of maturity." After spring practice, Schembechler announced his depth chart with Harbaugh as his No. 1 quarterback.

In his first collegiate start, Harbaugh led the Wolverines to a 22–14 upset victory over a Miami Hurricanes team that was led by Bernie Kosar, had won the 1983 national championship, and was ranked No. 1 in both the AP and UPI polls. Harbaugh completed 11 of 21 passes for 162 yards and two interceptions. The Detroit Free Press praised Harbaugh for "pinpoint passing" that "kept Miami's defense on the run."

In his second start, the Wolverines (ranked No. 3) lost to a Washington team that finished the season ranked No. 2 in both the AP and UPI polls. Harbaugh threw a career-high 37 passes in the game, completing 17 passes for 183 yards, three interceptions, and his first collegiate touchdown pass to Vince Bean.

After the loss to Washington, Harbaugh led Michigan to victories over Wisconsin (20–14) and Indiana (14–6). Harbaugh completed 25 of 39 passes for 272 yards in those games. On October 6, 1984, a 19–7 loss to Michigan State in the fifth game of the season, Harbaugh sustained a badly broken left arm in the third quarter when he dove for a loose ball and collided with Spartan linebacker Thomas Tyree. Harbaugh had to be carried from the field on a stretcher and missed the remainder of the season. Harbaugh completed 60 of 111 passes for 718 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions during his shortened 1984 season.

1985 season
By April 1985, Harbaugh's arm had healed, and he completed 10 of 16 passes for 146 yards in the annual spring game. Harbaugh was the starting quarterback in all 12 games for the 1985 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a 10–1–1 record, outscored opponents 342–98, defeated Nebraska in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl, and finished the season ranked No. 2 in the final AP and UPI polls.

On October 26, 1985, Harbaugh set a school record with 283 passing yards in a 42–15 victory over Indiana. After the game, Harbaugh was asked for his reaction to setting the school's passing record and responded, "Records are nice, but everything we do here is team oriented. Everyone's telling me about the record, but they should tell it to Paul Jokisch and Eric Kattus and John Kolesar. They caught the passes."

On November 16, 1985, in a 48–7 victory over Minnesota, Harbaugh completed 13 of 18 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns. After the game, Harbaugh praised the offensive line, noting, "I've never had more time to throw in my life—junior high, high school." Harbaugh's 13 completions against Minnesota gave him 123 for the season, breaking the school record of 118 set by Steve Smith in 1982.

On November 23, 1985, Harbaugh led Michigan to a 27–17 victory over Ohio State. In the fourth quarter, Harbaugh completed a 77-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver John Kolesar, giving Michigan a 10-point lead with nine minutes remaining. Coach Schembechler said after the game that the 77-yard touchdown was "a play that took the starch right out of their sails." Columnist Mitch Albom wrote after the game that Harbaugh's pass to Kolesar was an image that would last: "The image that repeats will be that of Jim Harbaugh dropping back in the fourth quarter and uncorking a soaring spiral that rose high and long as flanker John Kolesar ran underneath it, his steps seemingly in sync with the revolutions of the ball, so [that] when it fell, it fell right into his arms, almost gently." Harbaugh completed 16 of 19 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns.

In the final three games of the 1985 regular season, Harbaugh completed 41 of 50 passes for 706 yards, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions. For the season as a whole, he completed 145 of 227 passes for 1,976 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also led the nation with a 163.7 passing efficiency rating in 1985.

1986 season
In 1986, his final season at Michigan, Harbaugh started all 13 games at quarterback for the 1986 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled an 11–2 record, lost to Arizona State in the 1987 Rose Bowl, and finished the season ranked No. 8 in the final AP Poll and No. 7 in the final UPI Poll.

In the first game of the season, Harbaugh led Michigan to a 24–23 victory over Notre Dame. Harbaugh completed 15 of 23 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown.

In the fourth game of the season, he broke his own Michigan school record with 310 passing yards in Schembechler's 200th career victory, a 34–17 victory over Wisconsin.

Harbaugh caused controversy when he guaranteed a victory over Ohio State in 1986. Harbaugh's guarantee proved valid as the Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes, 26–24. Harbaugh completed 19 of 29 passes with two interceptions.

For the season, Harbaugh completed 180 of 277 passes for 2,729 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. His 2,729 passing yards set a Michigan season record that stood until 2002. He also finished second in the country in passing efficiency behind Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde. Harbaugh won numerous honors in 1986 including the following:
 * He won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference.
 * He finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting with 458 points and 25 first-place ballots, trailing Testaverde (2,213 points, 678 first-place ballots) and Temple running back Paul Palmer (672 points, 28 first-place ballots).
 * He was selected by the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) as the first-team quarterback on the 1986 All-Big Ten Conference football team.
 * He was selected by the AP and UPI as the second-team quarterback behind Testaverde on the 1986 College Football All-America Team.
 * He was named to the Big Ten's All-Academic team.
 * He was named Big Ten Player of the Year

Harbaugh finished his college career as Michigan's all-time record holder for passing yards with 5,449 yards. He also tallied 620 passing attempts (second in Michigan history at the time), 387 completions, a 62.4% completion percentage, 31 touchdown passes (third in Michigan history at the time), and 22 interceptions. He held the career NCAA Division I-A passing efficiency record (149.6) for 12 years. Harbaugh earned a B.A. in communications from Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts in 1986.

Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears selected Harbaugh in the first round (26th overall) of the 1987 NFL draft. During the 1987 season, playing under head coach Mike Ditka, Harbaugh completed only one of 15 passes in an August 27 exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals. During the regular season, he played in a reserve capacity in six games. On November 22, in a 30–10 win over the Detroit Lions, Harbaugh took only one snap and was sacked for 15 yards. On December 14, in a 41–0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Harbaugh threw his first NFL passes, completing 8 of 11 (72.7%) for 62 yards, was sacked 3 times for 30 yards, and rushed 15 yards on three carries.

Harbaugh played 10 games in 1988 and completed 47 of 97 passes (48.5%) for 514 yards and two interceptions. He rushed 110 yards on 19 carries. Harbaugh started his first game on Week 14 (December 5), a 23–3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in which he completed 11 of 30 passes for 108 yards and two interceptions, rushed 32 yards on six carries, and was sacked twice for nine yards. The following game on December 12, Harbaugh earned his first win as an NFL starter with a 13–12 victory over the Detroit Lions. Harbaugh completed 18 of 26 passes for 174 yards and rushed 36 yards in seven carries.

Harbaugh saw more playing time in 1989 after Jim McMahon left the team and started five games for Chicago while Mike Tomczak started 11 in a 6–10 season for Chicago. 1989 was his first season with over 1,000 passing yards, completing 111 of 178 passes in 12 games for 1,204 yards for five touchdowns and nine interceptions and was sacked 18 times for 106 yards. His 62.4% completion rate earned him the team record for single-season completion percentage.

In 1990, Harbaugh played and started in the first 14 games of the season. Chicago improved to 11–5 and won the NFC Central division, and Harbaugh passed for 2,178 yards with 180 of 312 (57.7%) passes completed for 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He was sacked 31 times for 206 yards and rushed 321 yards in 51 carries. Due to a shoulder injury, Harbaugh sat out the last two games of the year as well as the playoffs.

Harbaugh passed for a career-high 3,121 yards with Chicago in 1991 and became the first Chicago quarterback since Vince Evans to start all 16 regular season games. He completed 275 of 478 (57.5%) passes for 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, was sacked 24 times (including a franchise-record 9 times on October 25 against the Minnesota Vikings) for a loss of 163 yards, and rushed 338 yards on 70 carries. Chicago finished the season 11–5 like the year before, but in second place in the NFC Central. On December 29, 1991, he made his postseason debut in the NFC Wild Card Round, a 17–13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas defense overwhelmed him throughout the game, sacking him three times; and in the final drive of the game that started from Chicago's 4-yard line with 1:50 left, he threw an interception to Bill Bates on the fourth play from scrimmage. He went 22-of-44 for 218 yards.

Chicago regressed to a 5–11 record in 1992, and the team fired coach Ditka afterwards. Harbaugh played all 16 games but started only 13 and had a 5–8 record as starter. He completed 202 of 358 (56.4%) passes for 2,486 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, was sacked 31 times for 167 yards, and rushed 272 yards over 47 carries, including one rushing touchdown.

In 1993, Chicago went 7–9. Harbaugh played in and started 15 games and completed 200 of 325 (61.5%) passes for 2,002 yards, seven touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He was sacked 43 times for 210 yards and rushed 277 yards over 60 carries. Harbaugh ended his tenure with Chicago with a 35–30 (.530) record.

1994 season
On April 7, 1994, Harbaugh signed with the Indianapolis Colts. He played and started in just nine games in the 1994 Colts season, completing 125 of 202 (61.9%) passes for 1,440 yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions. Harbaugh took 17 sacks for 72 yards and rushed 223 yards over 39 carries. For the first eight games, Harbaugh was starter, and coach Ted Marchibroda re-instated Harbaugh as starter for Week 15 (December 18) after Indianapolis struggled on offense under quarterback Don Majkowski.

1995 season
In 1995, Harbaugh achieved career highs in completion percentage (63.7%), passer rating (100.7), and touchdown passes (17) and led Indianapolis to the AFC Championship Game. Harbaugh played 15 games in the regular season and started 12, with a 7–5 record as starter for a 9–7 team. Harbaugh completed 200 of 314 passes for 2,575 yards and just 5 interceptions with his 17 touchdowns and was sacked 36 times for 219 yards. In 52 carries, Harbaugh rushed for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He strained his right knee after being sacked six times and left the Week 14 (December 3) game against the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter.

Indianapolis lost to the defending AFC champion San Diego Chargers in Week 16 (December 17) 27–24, with John Carney kicking the winning field goal with three seconds left after Harbaugh's drive with three straight passes had led to Cary Blanchard's field goal that tied the game at 24 with 48 seconds left.

In the regular season finale on December 23, Harbaugh's 32nd birthday, Indianapolis clinched a playoff berth with a 10–7 win over the New England Patriots. Completing 20 of 30 passes, he threw for 225 yards and a touchdown.

On December 31, 1995, in the AFC Wild Card Round against San Diego, Harbaugh scored on a 3-yard quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter after a 32-yard interception return by Jason Belser and Indianapolis won 35–20. Indianapolis won the Divisional Round game on January 7, 1996, over the Kansas City Chiefs 10–7, despite only 112 passing yards (with 12 of 27 passes completed, one touchdown, and one interception) from Harbaugh. In the AFC Championship Game on January 14, Harbaugh completed 21 of 33 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown and rushed 29 yards on six carries. Aaron Bailey dropped Harbaugh's last-second Hail Mary pass in the endzone, and the Pittsburgh Steelers won 20–16 and went on to Super Bowl XXX, which they lost to the Dallas Cowboys. For the season, he was voted to the Pro Bowl, was named the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year and AFC Player of the Year.

1996 season
With new coach Lindy Infante, Indianapolis again finished 9–7 and made the playoffs in 1996 with Harbaugh as signal caller. Harbaugh played and started in 14 games with a 7–7 record; he completed 232 of 405 (57.3%) passes for 2,630 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, with 36 sacks for 190 yards lost and 192 rushing yards on 48 carries and a touchdown. Defending AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers defeated Indianapolis in the Wild Card Round 42–14 as Harbaugh completed only 37.5% of his passes (12 of 32) for 134 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

1997 season
Indianapolis fell to 3–13 in 1997. Despite passing for 2,060 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions in 12 games and 189-for-309 (61.2%) passing, Harbaugh had a 2–9 record as starter. Harbaugh was sacked 41 times for a career-high 256 yards lost. Harbaugh missed four games of the season after he punched former quarterback Jim Kelly in the face because Kelly had called him a "baby."

Baltimore Ravens
On February 14, 1998, the Indianapolis Colts traded Harbaugh to the Baltimore Ravens for third-round and fourth-round draft picks in the 1998 NFL draft. With that trade, Harbaugh reunited with his former Colts coach Ted Marchibroda. During the 1998 season with Baltimore, Harbaugh played in 14 games and started 12, with a 5–7 record as starter in a 6–10 season for the Ravens. Harbaugh completed 164 of 293 (56.0%) passes for 1,839 yards, just his third season with fewer than 2,000 passing yards since 1989. He had 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in passing, was sacked 23 times for 145 yards, and rushed 172 yards on 40 carries.

The Ravens opened a new stadium for 1998, Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards (renamed M&T Bank Stadium in 2003). Starting the game in Week 1 (September 6) and completing 4 of 7 passes for 33 yards, Harbaugh left during the second quarter after injuring a finger, and with backup Eric Zeier in for Harbaugh, Baltimore lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 20–13. Baltimore won its next game 24–10 over the New York Jets on September 13; Harbaugh started and made 5 of 10 passes for 36 yards but again left early and was replaced by Zeier due to injury. Coach Marchibroda again split quarterbacking duties in the following game on September 20, a 24–10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, with Harbaugh starting and Zeier taking over during the second quarter. With 4 of 9 passes completed for 59 yards, Harbaugh led a drive for a Matt Stover first quarter field goal.

Harbaugh then sat out two games and played as Zeier's backup for Weeks 7 (October 18) and 8 (October 25). Those two games had poor performances: Harbaugh completed none of six passes and had one 3-yard rush in the Week 6 loss to Pittsburgh. Despite only 9 of 20 passes completed and two interceptions in the Week 7 28–10 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Harbaugh made his first passing touchdown as a Raven, a 46-yard pass to Jermaine Lewis in the fourth quarter. In the next game on Week 8 (November 1), Harbaugh improved in his first full game, with 27 of 34 passes completed over 243 yards for three touchdowns and one interception and 57 rushing yards in 10 carries. In Week 9 (November 8), with Baltimore winning 13–10 over the Oakland Raiders, Harbaugh got his first win in a full game started despite passing for only 102 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. In the final two drives of the game, Harbaugh made crucial first-down conversion passes of a 28-yard pass to Jermaine Lewis and 10- and 11-yard passes to Michael Jackson. In Week 12 (November 29), a 38–31 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Harbaugh had his first interception-free full game, with 16-for-25 passing over 198 yards for two touchdowns. It was the Colts first trip back to Baltimore after the team left it for Indianapolis. In an emotional moment, Harbaugh presented Johnny Unitas with the game ball.

Referee Ed Hochuli called a controversial unnecessary roughness penalty against Joe Bowden in Baltimore's 16–14 loss to the Tennessee Oilers for his hit on Harbaugh on a 2nd-and-24 play with Tennessee leading 14–13 after his 9-yard scramble towards the sideline, ruling that Harbaugh was in bounds when hit. On 3rd-and-15 in the next series, however, Harbaugh was sacked and Baltimore was forced to punt, so the penalty did not hurt the Oilers. Harbaugh completed 15 of 28 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception and rushed 22 yards over five carries. After a three-game losing streak, Harbaugh won the final game of the season (and his final game with Baltimore) on December 27, 19–10 over the Detroit Lions with 17 of 26 passes completed for 141 yards and a touchdown.

1999 season
Harbaugh played two years with the San Diego Chargers. Signed as the backup to Ryan Leaf, Harbaugh played most of the 1999 season after Leaf sustained a season-ending injury in training camp. Harbaugh started 12 games out of 14 played and had a 6–6 record as starter in an 8–8 season, completing 249 of 434 (57.4%) passes for 2,761 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He was sacked 37 times for a total loss of 208 yards and rushed for 126 yards over 34 carries.

In his debut with San Diego in the September 19 season opener (Week 2), Harbaugh threw two touchdowns in 15-for-27 passing for 159 yards in a 34–7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, San Diego lost their next game to Harbaugh's former team, the Indianapolis Colts, 27–19. Harbaugh completed 15 of 37 passes for 188 yards. With very few seconds left and the ball on the Colts' 24, Harbaugh threw an interception to Tyrone Poole. Harbaugh started the Week 4 (October 3) game against the Kansas City Chiefs completing 6 of 9 passes for 38 yards and an interception before leaving due to a bruised right elbow; he missed the Week 5 (October 10) and Week 6 (October 17) games because of that injury and two broken ribs. Harbaugh returned in Week 7 (October 24) in a 31–3 loss to the Green Bay Packers as backup to starter Erik Kramer; both quarterbacks threw 3 interceptions each. Harbaugh next started a game on Week 9 (November 7) and completed 25 of 39 passes for 235 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions and rushed 14 yards in two carries in a 33–17 loss to defending champion Denver Broncos. The Chargers lost its sixth game in a row after a 4–1 start in Week 12 (November 28) to the Minnesota Vikings 35–27. Robert Griffith intercepted a Harbaugh pass at the Vikings' 1-yard line with 4:29 left, and Minnesota ran out the clock to seal the win.

A 12–9 loss to the Miami Dolphins on December 19 (Week 15) disqualified the Chargers from the postseason. Miami's defense sacked Harbaugh five times, and Rich Owens strip-sacked Harbaugh at San Diego's 20-yard line. Harbaugh finished the game with 20 of 40 passes completed for 178 yards. With 17 seconds left, Chris Penn caught Harbaugh's attempt at a game-winning touchdown pass albeit slightly outside the back of the end zone. John Carney missed a game-tying 36-yard field goal. After failing to make a passing touchdown for three games, Harbaugh made two passing touchdowns and just one interception on 23-for-36 passing over 325 yards in San Diego's 23–20 win over the Oakland Raiders on the home finale on December 26 (Week 16).

2000 season
Following an 8–8 season in 1999, San Diego finished 1–15 in 2000 with a rotation of Ryan Leaf, Harbaugh, and Moses Moreno as starters. Playing in seven games and starting five, Harbaugh completed 123 of 202 (60.9%) passes for 1,416 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, was sacked 14 times for 96 yards, and rushed 24 yards on 16 carries.

Harbaugh played his first game in Week 4 (September 24), a 20–12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. On 8-for-14 passing, Harbaugh passed for 67 yards and an interception. He became starter in Week 5 (October 1). In the 57–31 loss to defending champion St. Louis Rams, Harbaugh was 27-for-40 for 348 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception and was sacked three times for 15 yards. Starting the Week 6 (October 8) game, a 21–7 loss the Denver Broncos, Harbaugh was 18-for-43 for 237 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Two of Harbaugh's interceptions led to short Denver touchdowns, and Harbaugh threw his third interception on fourth-and-goal at Denver's 5-yard line. In Week 7 (October 15), an overtime 27–24 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Harbaugh's second interception of the game, by Henry Jones, was in overtime and paved way for Steve Christie's game-winning field goal. Following the game, coach Mike Riley said he regretted rotating between Harbaugh and Moses Moreno in the first half, as Moreno lost two fumbles, one of which Buffalo returned for a touchdown.

San Diego had an ESPN Sunday Night Football game in Week 9 (October 29) following a bye week, lost to the Oakland Raiders 15–13, and fell to 0–8. San Diego took a 13–12 lead with 5:47 left after Harbaugh made a 21-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Jones, but failed the two-point conversion attempt paving the way for the Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski to kick the winning field goal with 13 seconds left. In the final play of the game, following a 47-yard kickoff return by Ronney Jenkins, Marquez Pope intercepted Harbaugh's attempt at a 50-yard Hail Mary pass that was intended for Trevor Gaylor in the end zone. In that game, Harbaugh completed 25 of 35 passes for 222 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception and was sacked three times for 27 yards. The following game on November 5 (Week 10), San Diego lost its ninth straight in a 15–13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. In the second quarter, Harbaugh lost two fumbles, both of which preceded 10-yard Seattle passing touchdowns. Having completed 22 of 32 passes for 236 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, he left the game after the third quarter due to groin and abdomen injuries.

Harbaugh played what would be his final career game in Week 11 (November 12), a 17–7 loss to the Miami Dolphins. In the final drive of the game he filled in poorly for an injured Ryan Leaf, completing only 2 of 5 passes for 19 yards and throwing an interception. By that time, coach Riley had relegated Harbaugh to emergency duty due to injuries including a mild hernia. Riley had planned to start Harbaugh for the next game on Week 12 (November 19), but decided to start Leaf instead.

Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers
Harbaugh signed with the Detroit Lions prior to the 2001 season, where he was expected to back up incumbent starter Charlie Batch. However, on the eve of the regular season, the Lions cut him and traded for Ty Detmer. He closed out his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers in 2001, where he dressed for six games but did not play. The 2001 Panthers, like the Chargers the year before, finished with a 1–15 record.

Legacy
For his NFL career, Harbaugh played in 177 league games with 140 starts. He completed 2,305 of 3,918 passes for 26,288 yards with 129 touchdowns. Particularly during his time with Indianapolis, such as when he led the Colts to come-from-behind wins over the Chiefs and Chargers in the 1995–96 NFL playoffs and a near upset over the No. 2 AFC seed Steelers, he earned the nickname "Captain Comeback" (the second player to be so nicknamed after Roger Staubach) for his ability to win games in the fourth quarter when his team was significantly behind.

Harbaugh is second in the Bears' record book for completions with 1,023, while Jay Cutler holds the record with 1,034. Harbaugh also ranks second with 1,759 attempts and third in yards with 11,567. In January 2005, he was inducted into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor as one of the most successful and popular players in the club's Indianapolis era.

Western Kentucky assistant
During his final eight seasons in the NFL (1994–2001), Harbaugh was an NCAA-certified unpaid assistant coach under his father Jack Harbaugh at Western Kentucky University (WKU). Serving as an offensive consultant, he scouted and recruited high school student-athletes throughout several states including Florida, Indiana and Illinois. He was involved in recruiting 17 players on WKU's 2002 Division I-AA national champion team. His father was a football coach for 18 years, including 14 years as head coach at WKU.

Oakland Raiders assistant
Harbaugh was quarterback coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2002 and 2003 under Bill Callahan. During his tenure with the Raiders, Harbaugh coached starting quarterback Rich Gannon, who led the Raiders' run to Super Bowl XXXVII, won the 2002 AP NFL MVP award, and was selected to the 2003 Pro Bowl after the 2002 season. Other Raiders quarterbacks coached by Harbaugh include Rick Mirer, Tee Martin, Marques Tuiasosopo, and Rob Johnson.

University of San Diego
Prior to the 2004 season, Harbaugh was named head football coach at the University of San Diego. In his first year, he directed the Toreros to an overall mark of 7–4, including five straight wins to end the season. The following year, the team improved to 11–1 and won the 2005 Pioneer Football League championship. In 2006, USD again went 11–1, winning their second consecutive Pioneer League title in the process.

Stanford University
Harbaugh was named the head football coach at Stanford University in December 2006, replacing Walt Harris. Harbaugh's father, Jack, was Stanford's defensive coordinator from 1980 to 1981, while Harbaugh attended Palo Alto High School, located directly across the street from Stanford Stadium.

Harbaugh stirred some intra-conference controversy in March 2007, when he was quoted as saying rival USC head coach "Pete Carroll's only got one more year, though. He'll be there one more year. That's what I've heard. I heard it inside the staff." Upon further questions, Harbaugh claimed he had heard it from staff at USC. The comment caused a rebuke from Carroll. (In fact, Carroll would be at USC for three more years.) At the Pacific-10 Conference media day on July 26, 2007, Harbaugh praised the Trojans, stating "There is no question in my mind that USC is the best team in the country and may be the best team in the history of college football." The declaration, especially in light of his earlier comment, garnered more media attention. Later in the season, Stanford defeated #1 USC 24–23 with a touchdown in the final minute. With USC being the favorite by 41 points, it was statistically the greatest upset in college football history.

In the 2008 season, Stanford went 5–7. In January 2009, Harbaugh was confirmed to have been interviewed by the New York Jets for the head coach position, although the job was eventually offered to Rex Ryan. Although Stanford lost to USC in 2008, Harbaugh and the Stanford Cardinal upset USC at home again with a score of 55–21 on November 14, 2009. Stanford's 55 points was the most ever scored on USC in the Trojans' history until Oregon scored 62 in a 62–51 win over USC on November 3, 2012. It was Pete Carroll's first November loss as USC head coach. After an infamous "What's your deal?" verbal exchange with Carroll following that game, Harbaugh and Carroll would go on to speak favorably about each other as NFL coaches. From that game on, Stanford would buck the rivalry for the next decade (even after Harbaugh) left, winning eight of the next eleven matchups. In 2009, the Cardinal had a comeback season, finishing the regular season at 8–4 and receiving an invitation to play in the 2009 Sun Bowl, the Cardinal's first bowl appearance since 2001. Running back Toby Gerhart was named a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing second to Mark Ingram II in the closest margin of voting in Heisman history. On December 13, 2009, Harbaugh was rewarded with a three-year contract extension through the 2014 season.

The 2010 season brought more success for Harbaugh and the Cardinal. The team went 11–1 in the regular season, with their only loss coming from Oregon, a team that was undefeated and earned a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. The first 11 win season in program history earned the Cardinal a #4 BCS ranking and a BCS bowl invitation to the Orange Bowl. Stanford defeated Virginia Tech 40–12 for the Cardinal's first bowl win since 1996 and the first BCS bowl victory in program history. Second year starting quarterback Andrew Luck was the runner-up to for the Heisman Trophy, the second year in a row that the runner-up was from Stanford. Harbaugh was named the winner of the Woody Hayes Coach of the Year Award.

2011 season
On January 7, 2011, four days after winning the Orange Bowl, Harbaugh agreed to a five-year, $25 million contract to become the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He succeeded Jim Tomsula, who was interim head coach for only the last game of the preceding season after succeeding the fired Mike Singletary. Prior to Harbaugh's arrival, the 49ers had not had a winning season nor a playoff appearance since 2002.

Though the 49ers were expected to struggle in what was anticipated to be a rebuilding season, with a new scheme and many new players as well as shortened summer practices due to the lockout, Harbaugh led the team to a 13–3 record in the regular season, winning the NFC West division while finishing second overall in the NFC and bringing the team to the NFC Championship Game. This was the first time the 49ers had made the playoffs since 2002, generating widespread praise. On November 24, Harbaugh played his brother John and the Baltimore Ravens, losing the Thanksgiving showdown 16–6. John and Jim Harbaugh are the first pair of brothers to serve as NFL head coaches in the same season.

Harbaugh's work in San Francisco had resulted in an extremely successful season, revitalizing the career of quarterback Alex Smith and with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio creating one of the leading defensive squads of the 2011 season. The 49ers' season ended with a 20–17 loss in overtime to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the NFC Championship. At the conclusion of the season, Harbaugh was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year. In addition, he was named Coach of the Year by the PFWA and Sporting News.

2012 season
In the 2012 season, Harbaugh resolved a quarterback controversy by replacing incumbent starter Alex Smith with backup Colin Kaepernick. Smith was ranked third in the NFL in passer rating (104.1), led the league in completion percentage (70%), and had been 19–5–1 as a starter under Harbaugh, while Kaepernick was considered more dynamic with his scrambling ability and arm strength. Smith began 2012 with a 6–2 record as a starter before suffering a concussion in the following game. He missed the following game, and Kaepernick was 16 for 23 for 243 yards with two touchdowns in a 32–7 win over the Chicago Bears. Harbaugh was impressed with Kaepernick, and said "we have two quarterbacks that have a hot hand" while dismissing any rule that a player should not lose their starting job due to an injury. Smith was medically cleared to play the day before the next game, but Harbaugh chose not to rush him back and again started Kaepernick, who threw and ran for a touchdown in a 31–21 win over the New Orleans Saints. The following week, Harbaugh announced that Kaepernick would start for the 8–2–1 49ers, while also stating that the assignment was week-to-week and not necessarily permanent. However, Kaepernick remained the starter for the remainder of the season as the 49ers again qualified for the playoffs.

Harbaugh led the team to an 11–4–1 record in the regular season, winning back to back NFC West titles. Harbaugh's quarterback decision was on display in the first game of the playoffs. The 49ers won 45–31 in the Divisional Round over the Green Bay Packers, as Kaepernick had 444 yards of total offense (263 passing, 181 rushing) and four touchdowns. Kaepernick set the record for rushing yards by a quarterback in any NFL game with his 181-yard outburst against Green Bay. On January 20 in the NFC Championship, Harbaugh led the 49ers to a 28–24 win over the Atlanta Falcons, which sent the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII, and on February 3, Harbaugh faced his older brother John and the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl. It was the first time that the opposing teams' head coaches in the Super Bowl were brothers; the Ravens won the game with a score of 34–31 despite a third quarter comeback by the 49ers.

2013 season
In the 2013 season, Harbaugh led the 49ers to a 12–4 regular-season record and a third consecutive appearance in both the playoffs and NFC Championship, where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks 23–17, who went on to win Super Bowl XLVIII. In doing so, Harbaugh became the first NFL head coach to reach a conference championship game in each of his first three seasons.

2014 season
The 49ers had an 8–8 season in 2014, failing to reach the playoffs for the first time under the Harbaugh era. On October 5, it was rumored that Harbaugh would not return in 2015 regardless of that season's outcome, although owner Jed York denied the claims at the time. It has been suggested that Harbaugh, despite his success on the field, was involved in a power struggle with 49ers general manager Trent Baalke starting from the 2013 season onward. On December 28, 2014, the 49ers announced that they had mutually agreed to part ways with Harbaugh as their head coach. York claims Harbaugh and the 49ers agreed to mutually part ways immediately after a win over the Arizona Cardinals in the final week of the regular season. Harbaugh, however, later said: "I didn't leave the 49ers. I felt like the 49er hierarchy left me." He further added that the 49ers informed him that he would no longer be the 49ers coach after suffering a loss on December 14, but that he decided to remain as the team's head coach for the final two games of the season because "I wanted to finish what I started—what we started."

Harbaugh left the 49ers as one of their most successful head coaches in just four years, as well as becoming the first successful NFL head coach to depart for a college team. New head coach Jim Tomsula was fired after just one season in which the 49ers finished 5–11. Until the 2019 season, in which the 49ers went 13–3 and advanced to Super Bowl LIV, the 49ers had losing seasons every year following Harbaugh's departure.

Hiring
On December 30, 2014, Harbaugh was introduced by the University of Michigan as the school's new head football coach. His return to Michigan was the subject of a book, Endzone: The Rise, Fall, and Return of Michigan Football, by John U. Bacon.

2015 season
On September 3, 2015, Harbaugh lost his first game as head coach of Michigan, a 24–17 road loss against Utah. On September 12, Michigan won 35–7 against Oregon State, giving Harbaugh his first win as Michigan's head coach. On September 26, Harbaugh led Michigan to a 31–0 victory over No. 22-ranked Brigham Young University, leading Michigan to move into #22 in the AP Poll. This was Michigan's first appearance in the AP Top 25 since 2013. On October 3, Harbaugh led the Wolverines to a 28–0 shutout win against the Maryland Terrapins, posting back to back shutouts for the first time since 2000. The following week, Michigan beat #13 Northwestern 38–0, making the Wolverines the first team with a pair of 30-point shutouts against ranked opponents since Notre Dame's 1966 championship team. He finished his first season as the Wolverines' head coach with a 10–3 record, with losses against Utah, Michigan State, and Ohio State, and a redeeming victory in the Citrus Bowl over No. 19 Florida, 41–7. After being tied, 7–7, in the first quarter, Michigan scored 34 unanswered points as they held Florida to just 28 yards in the second half.

2016 season
Michigan was ranked 7th in the AP Poll to start the season. After defeating Hawaii in the opening game of the 2016 season, Michigan was ranked 5th in the AP Poll. It was the first time Michigan had been ranked in the top five since the start of the 2007 season. Michigan cruised through its non-conference slate before defeating #8 Wisconsin. This was Michigan's first win over a top ten ranked team since 2008. In week six, the Wolverines soundly defeated Rutgers 78–0, the third-largest margin of victory in program history and the largest margin since 1920. Three weeks later, Michigan defeated Michigan State on the road, its first victory in East Lansing since 2007. They then suffered their first loss of the season to Iowa, before beating Indiana for their 10th victory; Harbaugh is one of only two coaches in program history to win 10 games in each of his first two seasons as head coach, joining Fielding H. Yost (1901–02). The regular season finished with a highly anticipated matchup against #2 Ohio State, with a likely College Football Playoff bid on the line. In a game that went to two overtime periods, Ohio State finally defeated the Wolverines 30–27; Harbaugh said afterward he was "bitterly disappointed with the officiating", especially for a controversial 4th-and-1 call, and was reprimanded by the Big Ten with a $10,000 fine. Michigan finished the season in the Orange Bowl, where it lost 33–32 to #10 Florida State, after losing Heisman-finalist Jabrill Peppers before the game and losing two-time All-American Jake Butt early in the game. Michigan finished the season 10–3 and another third-place finish in their division.

2017 season
Michigan finished the season in the Outback Bowl, losing 19–26 to South Carolina, becoming the only team in the Big Ten Conference to lose its bowl game in the 2017–2018 bowl season and giving them an 8–5 record on the year.

2018 season
Michigan began the 2018 season ranked 14th in the AP Poll. They lost their first game of the season against No. 12 Notre Dame 17–24, but rebounded the next two weeks with a 49–3 win over Western Michigan University and a 45–20 win over SMU. Three weeks later, the 5–1 Wolverines faced the No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers in a Saturday night showdown. Michigan won the game 38–13, moving to No. 6 in the AP Poll. The next week, the Wolverines beat rival Michigan State 21–7, moving to 5th in the AP Poll. After a bye week, the Wolverines trampled Penn State 42–7, moving to 4th in both the AP poll and the College Football Playoff Rankings. They would stay at that ranking after a 31–20 win over Indiana that earned the Wolverines a share of the East Division title. Michigan lost at #10 Ohio State 62–39, denying Michigan a chance to play in the Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State's 62 points set a record for points against Michigan in regulation. Harbaugh became the first Michigan coach to lose his first four starts against the Buckeyes. The Wolverines lost to the Florida Gators 41–15 in the Peach Bowl, finishing with another 10–3 season.

2019 season
During Harbaugh's fifth season, the Wolverines lost to Wisconsin 35–14 and to Penn State 28–21, both on the road. Michigan won decisively against rivals Notre Dame 45–14 and Michigan State 44–10, but concluded the regular season with a loss to then #1-ranked Ohio State by a score of 56–27 to end the regular season. When asked about the gap between the two schools, his reply was testy: "I'll answer your questions, not your insults." The Wolverines finished the season in the Citrus Bowl, where they lost to Alabama, 35–16. Michigan finished the season 9–4 overall.

2020 season
Michigan's 2020 season was significantly shortened due to the Big Ten Conference's policies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 14, Michigan hosted Wisconsin and Michigan suffered its largest halftime deficit at home since Michigan Stadium opened in 1927 (28–0), as well as its largest home loss (49–11) since 1935. On November 28, 2020, Michigan hosted Penn State and for the first time in Michigan football history, lost to a team that was 0–5 or worse. Michigan was winless at home during the 2020 season, marking the first time in program history that Michigan did not win any games at home.

2021 season
On January 8, 2021, Michigan signed Harbaugh to a four-year contract extension through the 2025 season. Michigan, led by Harbaugh, finished the regular season 11–1. The Wolverines beat Western Michigan, Washington, Northern Illinois, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Northwestern, Indiana, No. 23 Penn State, and Maryland. Michigan's lone loss came in a top-10 matchup on the road at Michigan State. Following the loss, according to Harbaugh, the Big Ten acknowledged that there were errors made by the officials on multiple calls, including one that could have resulted in a Michigan touchdown. Michigan ended the regular season with a 42–27 victory over Ohio State, giving Harbaugh his first win over Ohio State and his second Big Ten East divisional title. Michigan advanced to the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time, where the Wolverines defeated Iowa in Indianapolis, 42–3, earning an Orange Bowl berth against Georgia in the College Football Playoff. Following the season he was named the Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year Award. By winning the award, Michigan became the first school to win both the AP coach of the year in men's basketball (Juwan Howard) and football since the football award was established in 1998.

In January 2022, reports emerged that Harbaugh would take the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching job if he was offered it. Although he never interviewed with the Raiders, Harbaugh did interview with the Minnesota Vikings in late January and was a lead candidate for a head coaching job. Reports emerged that Harbaugh was preparing to accept the Vikings head coaching position if he was offered it, but he ultimately did not receive an offer following his second interview with the team, and informed the University of Michigan that he would be returning to coach the Wolverines in the 2022 season.

2022 season
The 2022 Wolverines began the season ranked sixth and eighth in the coaches' and AP polls, respectively. They climbed into the top five in both polls as they opened the season with a seven-game winning streak, including a 27–14 win at Iowa on October 1 – the program's first at Kinnick Stadium since 2005 – and a dominating 41–17 win over previously unbeaten Penn State on October 15.

The Wolverines continued their winning streak on October 29 by defeating Michigan State 29–7, to reclaim the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The team then defeated Rutgers 52–17, followed by a 34–3 win over Nebraska to reach 10–0 – the program's best start to a season in Harbaugh's tenure, and best overall since 2006.

The Wolverines improved to 11–0 by defeating Illinois on a last-minute field goal, 19–17, then won a second straight Big Ten East Division title with a 45–23 victory over Ohio State. It was the Wolverines' first 12 win regular season since 1905, fourth 12 win season overall and their first victory in Columbus, Ohio, since 2000. Harbaugh was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the 2022 season.

On December 3, the Wolverines reached 13–0 for the first time in school history by winning the Big Ten Championship Game over Purdue, 43–22. The following day, Michigan was awarded its second consecutive College Football Playoff bid, seeded second and placed in the Fiesta Bowl.

On December 31, the Wolverines lost their semifinal match in the Fiesta Bowl to TCU, 51–45, to end the 2022 season 13–1.

2023 season
On August 23, 2023, Michigan announced that it was self-imposing a suspension on Harbaugh for the first three games of the 2023 season due to violating recruiting regulations. Michigan won all three games in his absence.

Harbaugh returned to lead Michigan to six straight victories, including a 49–0 win at Michigan State, the largest margin of victory in that rivalry since 1947.

On November 10, the Big Ten Conference announced another three-game suspension against Harbaugh, as part of the investigation into the Michigan Wolverines football sign-stealing scandal. On November 23, Michigan informed the NCAA that they would credit Harbaugh with the win–loss record from the three games to conclude the regular season. Despite the suspensions, Michigan went undefeated in the regular season, including a 30–24 victory over Ohio State.

Harbaugh resumed as head coach to lead Michigan to a 26–0 win over Iowa in the Big Ten Championship, a 27–20 overtime win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl, and a 34–13 win over Washington in the CFP National Championship on January 8, 2024. The win gave Michigan its 12th claimed national championship in school history, their first since 1997, and first undisputed title since 1948.

Harbaugh served as head coach for 9 games and was officially credited with 12 wins during Michigan's 15–0 national championship season.

Los Angeles Chargers
On January 24, 2024, Harbaugh was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers as their head coach.

Personal life
Harbaugh comes from a coaching family and is the son of college football coach Jack Harbaugh. He has seven children. From his first marriage, to Miah Harbaugh (m. 1996–2006), he has sons Jay (a graduate of Oregon State University and the special teams coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks), and James (a graduate of the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre & Dance); and a daughter, Grace (a water polo player and student at the Ross School of Business). From his second marriage, to Sarah Feuerborn Harbaugh (m. 2008), he has two daughters, Addison and Katherine, and two sons, Jack (named after his grandfather) and John (named after his uncle). Harbaugh is a Roman Catholic who has done charity work in Piura, Peru.

Jim Harbaugh's older brother, John, is the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, and they became the first pair of brothers to serve as head coaches in NFL history, facing each other in the Thanksgiving Classic game in 2011 and Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013, both of which Jim eventually lost.

In 1994, Harbaugh appeared as a cowboy in the Western/science fiction show The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. He also made an appearance on the popular TV show Saved by the Bell: The New Class in 1996, playing the cousin of the character Screech.

Harbaugh was the co-owner of Panther Racing in the IndyCar Series. The main car for the team carried Harbaugh's old jersey number, 4. When the team won the 2001 and 2002 IRL championship, the team, which had the option of going to No. 1, chose instead to keep the No. 4 for its association with Harbaugh's career.

On October 30, 2005, Harbaugh was arrested for DUI after running a stop sign in Encinitas, California. He initially pleaded not guilty, but later entered into a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving and was sentenced to three years of probation, a $1,300 fine and a drunken-driving educational program. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports his blood-alcohol level was .09.

In November 2012, Harbaugh had a cardioversion procedure to correct an arrhythmia (i.e., an abnormal heartbeat rhythm).

In 2018, Harbaugh portrayed himself on the Comedy Central series Detroiters in the episode "Little Caesars".

Advocacy
Harbaugh has championed equal access to justice for Americans through his involvement with the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). On June 13, 2017, Harbaugh spoke in Washington, D.C., in the Senate Building about the gap in access to justice for low-income earning Americans which was showcased in the 2017 LSC report, "The Justice Gap: Measuring the Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-Income Americans."

Harbaugh has also stated his opposition to abortion. In a podcast interview in April 2020, Harbaugh labeled medical abortion as "horrendous" and said, "And lastly, abortion—we talk about sanctity of life, yet we live in a society that aborts babies. There can't be anything more horrendous." In July 2022, speaking at an anti-abortion event Harbaugh said, "Have the courage to let the unborn be born".

In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd by an on-duty police officer, Harbaugh expressed his outrage and said, "All injustice should be confronted and punished. It has to be equal and fair to all, and no one can be above the law." On June 2, 2020, a week after Floyd's murder, Harbaugh participated in an anti-police brutality commemorative protest in Ann Arbor. Michigan offensive coach Josh Gattis separately thanked Harbaugh and his family for their impact on African American coaches and players, stating "in challenging times of racial inequality and injustice I am even more thankful for the Harbaugh Family!" Gattis credited Harbaugh for "the fairness and promotion of black coaches in leadership roles like David Shaw, Derek Mason, Willie Taggart, Jim Caldwell, Pep Hamilton" and himself. Harbaugh's participation in the equality and anti-brutality protest was also singled out by former president Barack Obama, who praised him for "being on the right side of this issue."

title: Jim Harbaugh


text:
Talk:Shelbyville Manhattan

This article was proposed for deletion December 2004. The archived discussion is available at Votes for deletion/Shelbyville Manhattan

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Talk:Shelbyville Manhattan


text: Wikipedia:POTD/December 21, 2004

title: Wikipedia:POTD/December 21, 2004


text:
Kievan Letter

The Kievan Letter, or Kyivan letter is an early 10th-century (ca. 930) letter thought to be written by representatives of the Jewish community in Kiev. The letter, a Hebrew-language recommendation written on behalf of one member of their community, was part of an enormous collection brought to Cambridge by Solomon Schechter from the Cairo Geniza. It was discovered in 1962 during a survey of the Geniza documents by Norman Golb of the University of Chicago. The letter is dated by most scholars to around 930 CE. Some think (on the basis of the "pleading" nature of the text, mentioned below) that the letter dates from a time when Khazars were no longer a dominant force in the politics of the city. According to Marcel Erdal, the letter does not come from Kiev but was sent to Kiev.

Historical significance
Some scholars point to a district in Kievan Podil named after the Khazars (called "Kozare"), which indicates to some that Turkic Khazars lived in Kiev. The Khazars apparently played a significant role in the economic vitality of the city, importing caviar, fish and salt into Kiev. This may point to a Radhanite presence in the city, which was common in greater Khazaria.

If so, it might at first glance suggest that Khazar control over Kiev, in some form or another, continued well into the 10th century, significantly later than the traditional date for conquest by Oleg, 882. On the other hand, the letter itself implies that the Khazar authorities could do little to help the Jewish community of Kiev. The letter itself had ended up in Egypt, and the beleaguered alms-seeker had presumably travelled thousands of miles in his search for relief. The identity and the status of the reviewing officer are, therefore, ambiguous. It would seem more likely that the letter was reviewed in Khazaria while Khazar Jewish power had waned not only in Kiev but also in the heartland itself (sometime in the 11th century).

Linguistic significance
Linguists are interested in the letter because the names of the community members are of Turkic, Slavic, and Hebrew origins (for example, names such as: "Hanukkah," "Yehudah," "Gostata," and "Kiabar"). There is some disagreement as to whether the Jews were Israelites who had taken local names or whether their names indicate Turkic or Slavic origins. The debate is complicated by the presence of the name Kiabar Kohen. According to Omeljan Pritsak, the name indicates that non-Israelite Khazars adopted the status of Kohen, possibly because they had formed a pre-conversion priestly caste. Another explanation is that Israelite Jews in Khazaria adopted Khazar Turkic names, much as Jews, including prominent rabbis, had adopted Arabic, Aramaic, German, Greek, Persian, and Slavic names.

The letter may contain the only written record of the Khazar language extant today, the single word-phrase "I have read [it]". Bur Erdal argues against that hypothesis and favours Bolgar-Chuvash (hakurüm from the reconstructed verb *okï-, 'call out, recite, read') and suggests that it originated in the Danube-Bulgar region. (Similar inscriptions in Latin and Greek are found in Byzantine documents from roughly the same period.)

𐰜𐰇𐰆𐰬  𐰘𐰛 -  it says: Küonak - "read", modern Chuvash (ogur) word "Kĕneke" - "book" (read). turk. okumak.

Text

 * 1) The First among the foremost [i.e. God ], He who is adorned with the crown "Final and First,"
 * 2) Who hears the whispered voice, and listens to utterance and tongue - May He guard them
 * 3) as the pupil [of his eye] and make them to dwell with Nahshon on high as at first -
 * 4) Men of Truth, despisers of gain, doers of [deeds of] loving-kindness and pursuers of charity,
 * 5) guardians of salvation whose bread is available to every traveler and passerby,
 * 6) holy communities scattered to all (the world's) corners: may it be the will of
 * 7) the Master of Peace to make them dwell as a crown of peace! Now, our officers and masters,
 * we, [the] community of Kiev, (hereby) inform you of the affair of this Mr. Jacob bar
 * 1) Hanukah, who is of the sons of [good folk]. He was of the givers, and not of the
 * 2) takers, until a cruel decree was decreed against him, in that his brother went and took money
 * 3) from gentiles; this Jacob stood surety. His brother went on the road, and there came
 * 4) brigands who slew him and took his money. Then came creditors
 * 5) [and t]ook captive this Jacob, they put chains of iron on his neck
 * 6) and irons about his legs. He stayed there an entire year ...
 * 7) [and afterwards] we took him in surety; we paid out sixty [coins] and there ye[t...]
 * 8) remained forty coins; so we have sent him among the holy communities
 * 9) that they might take pity on him. So now, O our masters, raise up your eyes to heaven
 * 10) and do as is your goodly custom, for you know how great is the virtue
 * 11) of charity. For charity saves from death. Nor are we as warners
 * 12) but rather those who remind; and to you will be charity before the Lord your God
 * 13) You shall eat fruits in this world, and the capital fund [of merit] shall be yours perpetually in the world to come.
 * 14) Only be strong and of good courage, and do not put our words behind
 * 15) your backs; and may the Omnipresent have mercy upon you and build Jerusalem in your days
 * 16) and redeem you and also us with you. (An acronym follows standing for either "Amen, Amen, Amen, soon [may the redemption come]" or "Brotherly people are we, soon [...]".)
 * 17) Abraham the Parnas [community leader] [...]el bar MNS Reuben bar
 * 18) GWSTT (Gostata) bar KYBR (Kiabar) Kohen Samson
 * 19) Judah, who is called SWRTH (Surta) Hanukah bar Moses
 * 20) QWFYN (Kufin) bar Joseph MNR (Manar) bar Samuel Kohen
 * 21) Judah bar Isaac [the] Levite Sinai bar Samuel
 * 22) Isaac the Parnas [An Old Turkic/Steppean rovas inscription follows, read variously as ''okhqurüm/hokurüm/hakurüm, "I read (this or it)"]

title: Kievan Letter


text: Talk:Schleswig-Flensburg

title: Talk:Schleswig-Flensburg


text: Wikipedia:POTD/December 22, 2004

title: Wikipedia:POTD/December 22, 2004


text:
Al Toon

Albert Lee Toon Jr. (born April 30, 1963) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. A two-time First-team All-Big Ten pick at the University of Wisconsin, Toon set several school football records for the Wisconsin Badgers. The three-time Pro Bowl selectee played his entire NFL career with the Jets (1985-1992), leading his team and the league in receptions during the late 1980s. He is considered to be among the Jets' all-time greatest wide receivers and overall players in franchise history.

Early years
In high school Toon was well known for his accomplishments in track and field. Toon is one of three Newport News Peninsula District athletes to surpass 50 feet in the triple jump, which he did three times. He reached 23 feet in the long jump. Toon used that jumping ability as a wide receiver on Menchville High School's football team.

Toon played football and ran track at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1981 to 1984. Toon set a Big Ten single game receiver record while at the UW and established new school career football records for receptions (131), receiving yards (2,103) and touchdown catches (19) at the end of this three season tenure for the Wisconsin Badgers. He also set Big Ten and school records in track and field in the Triple Jump while qualifying for the Olympic Trials in 1983 in the 110 High Hurdles and the Triple Jump.

Professional career
He was selected by the New York Jets in the first round (10th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft. Toon made three catches for 67 yards in his first game against the Buffalo Bills in the 2nd week on September 15. He made a catch in eleven games, with his first touchdown being against the Indianapolis Colts on November 3 on a 17-yard catch from Ken O'Brien. His first big game came the following week with 156 yards on 10 catches against Miami, the most yards and receptions he had the whole season. In total, he caught 46 passes for 662 yards and three touchdowns. In the playoffs that season against the New England Patriots, he caught nine passes for 93 yards in the 26-14 loss. He had a breakout performance the following year, catching 85 passes for 1,176 yards with eight touchdowns. He was named an All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl while leading the team in receptions, which he would do for the next five seasons. In the Wild Card game that year, Toon caught four passes for 48 yards, which included a touchdown in the second quarter in the 35-15 victory (which ended up being the only postseason victory for Toon as a player). In the Divisional Round against the Cleveland Browns, he caught five passes for 93 yards in the 23-20 loss in double overtime. His large stature in physicality and prowess as a blocker made him a suitable target on a variety of tough assignments for catches.

The following season, he caught 67 passes for 976 yards for five touchdowns in twelve games. He was named to the Pro Bowl once again. The following 1988 season, he caught a league high 93 passes for 1,067 yards and five touchdowns while being named to the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro. He was the first Jet to lead the league in receptions since George Sauer in 1967; Toon is currently the last Jet to lead the league in receptions. He played in just eleven games in 1989, catching 63 passes for 693 yards with two touchdowns. He caught 57 passes for 757 yards in 1990 with six touchdowns under new head coach Bruce Coslet, who called Toon a "consummate team player" while naming him team captain. He closed out his last full season in 1991 with 74 catches for 963 yards with no touchdowns. Toon made his last playoff appearance in the 1991 Wild Card game against the Houston Oilers. He caught a 10-yard pass touchdown pass from O'Brien to tie the game for the Jets in the second quarter, but the Jets lost 17-10. Toon caught eight passes for 96 yards. He played in just nine games in 1992 and caught 31 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Toon suffered a concussion against the Denver Broncos after a hit by Michael Brooks on November 8 during a reception that he caught, which went for eight yards while making it 101 straight games with at least one catch as a player. The hit knocked him unconscious and out of the game, which ended up being his last. On November 28, 1992, Toon announced his retirement from the league, doing so after hearing from a handful of doctors that had each told him that he should not risk another blow to the head, as he had suffered five concussions in the last six seasons and nine in his career. He had set franchise records for receptions in a season (93) and consecutive games (110) at the time of his retirement. He was second in receptions (517) in team history to Don Maynard and third to Maynard and Wesley Walker in receiving yards (6,605).

Toon is one of two retired players in NFL history to play fewer than 110 games and still record over 500 receptions. The other is Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr. Toon had more catches in his first five seasons (355) than any player in league history and reached 400 receptions in 81 games, which was third only to Winslow and Lionel Taylor (each 72) in history. Toon had more catches (355) in his first five years than any other player in NFL history and reached the 400-catch plateau in his 81st game, the third quickest in league history behind Kellen Winslow (72 games) and Lionel Taylor (72 games). In 2011, he was selected to the Jets Ring of Honor.

After football
In 1995, he was one of nine founding members of Capitol Bank, a local community bank on whose board of directors he still serves. He was previously a president of the University of Wisconsin's National W Club, a varsity letter winners club. He also developed AT8 Companies to own, develop, and manage his commercial real estate portfolio. He also became both a Taco Bell franchisee and Hilton Garden Inn franchisee after his 8-year NFL stint. Additionally as a Community Center board member he and his team of locals developed the Boy's and Girl's Club of Dane County.

Toon served on the board of directors of the National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL). He also served on the board of directors of the Green Bay Packers. He is now an owner of one of the largest privately owned and operated multifaceted design/build landscape companies in the Midwest, Olson Toon Landscaping, Inc. He is an investor in Wisconsin Burger King Franchise companies since 1992. Toon, who suffered from post-concussion syndrome, has improved to the point that he was able to compete in a triathlon in 2004.

Personal life
Toon is married to Jane and has a son and three daughters. His son, Nick, was a football standout in high school at Middleton, Wisconsin and played as a receiver for the Wisconsin Badgers, as his father did. His son passed him for all-time receptions and yards at the school in 2011. Nicholas Toon was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft and played four years in the NFL. He now owns and runs an online retail sales business along with a focus on real estate ownership and management with his wife.

His daughter, Kirby, attended UW–Madison as a preferred walk-on in volleyball. Kirby currently is working for Kimberly Clark. His other daughters, Molly and Sydney, also played volleyball. Molly was a Final Four participant while playing volleyball at the University of Michigan and worked for Aerotek in Arizona, while Toon's youngest daughter, Sydney played two seasons of volleyball at University of Wisconsin Whitewater following her prep experience at Middleton High School. His daughter Molly was murdered in an apparent murder-suicide case by her husband in 2021.

title: Al Toon


text:
Chidambaram

Chidambaram is a major town and municipality in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, on the banks of the Vellar River where it meets the Bay of Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Chidambaram taluk. The town is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled, at different times, by the Pallavas until ninth century, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Later Pandyas, Vijayanagara Empire, Thanjavur Nayakas, Marathas and the British. The town is known for the Thillai Nataraja Temple and Thillai Kali Temple, and the annual chariot festival held in the months of December–January (In the Tamil month of Marghazhi known as "Margazhi Urchavam") and June to July (In the Tamil month of Aani known as "Aani Thirumanjanam"). One of the Divya Desams Divya Sri Govindaraja Perumal Temple (Thiruchitrakoodam) is a part of Thillai Nataraja Temple complex. Thiruvetkalam Shiva Temple, Vadakiruppu, Thirunelvayil Shiva Temple, Sivapuri and Tirukkazhippalai Palvannanathar Temple are the other three ancient Shiva temples in the region.

Chidambaram covers an area of 14.8 sqkm and had a population of 62,153 as of 2011. It is administered by a Selective grade municipality. Tertiary sector involving tourism is the major occupation. Roadways are the major means of transportation with a total of 64.12 km of district roads including one national highway passing through the town. As of 2011, there were eleven government schools: six primary schools, three middle schools and two higher secondary schools in Chidambaram. Annamalai University, established in 1929 in Chidambaram, is one of the oldest and most prominent universities in the state.

Etymology and legend
Chidambaram is one of the many temple towns in the state which is named after the groves, clusters or forests dominated by a particular variety of a tree or shrub and the same variety of tree or shrub sheltering the presiding deity. The traditional name of the temple complex, Chidambaram Thillai Nataraja-koothan Kovil. The mangrove forests of Thillai trees (Excoecaria agallocha) were abundant in the town once. The temple and the town were once in the midst of Thillai trees. The Thillai trees of the nearby Pichavaram wetlands, the second largest mangrove forest in the world, extends to the temple area. The shrine is venerated as Thillai ambalam literally meaning the open stage of Thillai. The name of the town of this shrine, chit ambara means 'ether of consciousness' or 'atmosphere of wisdom' in the Sanskrit Language. This composite word comes from its association with Nataraja (Shiva), the cosmic dancer and the cultural atmosphere for arts.

According to Hindu legend, in the Thillai forests resided a group of sages who believed in the supremacy of magic — that the gods could be controlled by rituals and mantras. Shiva, hearing this, assumed the form of Bhikshatana, a simple mendicant seeking alms, and went walking in Thillai. He was followed by his consort, Vishnu as Mohini. The sages and their wives were enchanted by the beauty of the pair. On seeing their womenfolk enchanted, the angry sages performed a ritual to create serpents (nāga). Shiva lifted the serpents and donned them as ornaments on his matted locks, neck and waist. Further enraged, the sages invoked a fierce tiger, whose skin was used by Shiva as a shawl around his waist. Then followed a fierce elephant, which was ripped to death and devoured by Shiva (an episode depicted in the Gajasurasamhara). The sages gathered all their spiritual strength and invoked the powerful demon Muyalakan — a symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance. Shiva smiled gently, stepped on the demon's back to immobilise him, and performed the Ánanda Thandavam (the dance of eternal bliss), thus disclosing his true form. The sages surrendered, realizing that rituals cannot control the gods.

History
There is reference to the temple or the town in Sangam literature of the first to fifth centuries and the earliest mention is found in Tamil literature. The temple and the deity were immortalized in Tamil poetry in the works of Thevaram by three poet-saints belonging to the seventh century - Thirugnana Sambanthar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundaramoorthy Nayanar. Thirugnana Sambanthar has composed two songs in praise of the temple, Thirunavukkarasar aka Appar eight songs in praise of Nataraja and Sundarar one song in praise of Nataraja. Sundarar commences his Thiruthondar Thogai (the sacred list of Lord Shiva's 63 devotees) paying his respects to the priests of the Thillai temple - "To the devotees of the priests at Thillai, I am a devotee". The works of the first three saints, the Thirumurai were stored in palm leaf manuscripts in the temple and were recovered by the Chola King Rajaraja Chola under the guidance of Nambiandarnambi. Manikkavasagar, the tenth century saivite poet has written two works, the first called Thiruvasakam (The sacred utterances) which largely has been sung in Chidambaram and the Thiruchitrambalakkovaiyar (aka Thirukovaiyar), which has been sung entirely in the temple. Manikkavasagar is said to have attained spiritual bliss at Chidambaram. The Chidambaram Mahatmiyam composed during the 12th century provides the subsequent evolution and Sanskritization of cults.

There are several inscriptions available in the temple and referring to the Chidambaram temple in neighbouring areas. Most inscriptions available pertain to the periods of Cholas - Rajaraja Chola I (985-1014 CE), Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044 CE), Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1120 CE), Vikrama Chola (1118-1135 CE), Rajadhiraja Chola II (1163 -1178 CE), Kulothunga Chola III (1178-1218 CE) and Rajaraja Chola III (1216-1256 CE). Pandya inscriptions date from Thribhuvana Chakravarthi Veerapandiyan, Jataavarman Thribhuvana Chakravarthi Sundarapaandiyan (1251-1268 CE) and Maaravarman Thribhuvana Chakravarthi Veerakeralanaagiya Kulashekara Pandiyan (1268-1308 CE). Pallava inscriptions are available for king Avani Aala Pirandhaan Ko-perum-Singha (1216-1242 CE). Vijayanagara Kings mentioned in inscriptions are Veeraprathapa Kiruttina Theva Mahaaraayar (1509-1529 CE), Veeraprathaapa Venkata Deva Mahaaraayar, Sri Ranga Theva Mahaaraayar, Atchyutha Deva Mahaaraayar (1529-1542 CE) and Veera Bhooopathiraayar. One of the inscriptions from the descendant of Cheramaan Perumal Nayanar, Ramavarma Maharaja has been found.

In the north of India, the Indian subcontinent was conquered by the Delhi Sultanate. Muslim armies began raiding central India for plunder by the late 13th century. After subduing and extracting huge wealth along with promised annual tributes from the Marathas Yadavas of Devagiri in 1308, the Telugu Kakatiyas of Warangal in 1310 and the Kannada Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra in 1311, Sultan Ala ud Din Khalji's infamous eunuch Muslim general, Malik Kafur, and his Delhi Sultanate forces in 1311 went deeper into the Deccan peninsula for loot and to establish annual tributes to be paid by the Hindu kings. The records left by the court historians of the Delhi Sultanate state that Malik Kafur raided Chidambaram, Madurai, Srirangam, Vriddhachalam, Rameswaram and other sacred temple towns, destroyed the temples which were sources of gold and jewels. He brought back enormous loot from Dwarasamudra and the Pandya kingdom to Delhi in 1311.

Geography and climate
Chidambaram is located at 11.39°N, 79.69°W. The town is located in Cuddalore district of the South Indian state, Tamil Nadu, 215 km from Chennai. Chidambaram is located close to the shores of Bay of Bengal. The topography is almost plain with forests around the town, with no major geological formation. There are no notable mineral resources available in and around the town. The soil types are alluvial and red that are conducive for crops like paddy, pulses and chili peppers. The temperature ranges from a maximum of 32.7 °C to a minimum of 24 °C. Like the rest of the state, April to June are the hottest months and December to January are the coldest. Chidambaram receives an average of 10 mm annually, which is lesser than the state average of 1008 mm. The South west monsoon, with an onset in June and lasting up to August, brings scanty rainfall. Bulk of the rainfall is received during the North East monsoon in the months of October, November and December. The average number of rainy days ranges from 35 to 40 every year.

Demographics
According to 2011 census, Chidambaram had a population of 62,153 with a sex-ratio of 1,032 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929. A total of 5,869 were under the age of six, constituting 2,990 males and 2,879 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 6.81% and .09% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the city was 83.24%, compared to the national average of 72.99%. The city had a total of 15,166 households. There were a total of 22,194 workers, comprising 241 cultivators, 180 main agricultural labourers, 489 in household industries, 16,110 other workers, 5,174 marginal workers, 83 marginal cultivators, 213 marginal agricultural labourers, 401 marginal workers in household industries and 4,477 other marginal workers.

As of 2001, the town covered an area of 480 ha. Out of the total area, 88 per cent of the land constituting 432 ha is marked developed and the remaining area is used for agriculture and remains under water. Residential areas make up 55 per cent (265.75 ha) of the town's total area while commercial enterprises and industrial units make up 5 per cent (23.62 ha) and 1 per cent (3.63 ha) respectively. As of 2008, there 31 notified slums having 3,954 houses in Chidambaram and a total of 17,102 people constituting 30 per cent of the total population lived in them. The municipality maintains the water supply and garbage collection of all these slums. As of 2001, nearly 5,000 people constituting 10 per cent of the population were below the poverty line. As per the religious census of 2011, Chidambaram had 89.73% Hindus, 8.22% Muslims, 1.18% Christians, 0.02% Sikhs, 0.01% Buddhists, 0.43% Jains, 0.39% following other religions and 0.02% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.

Chidambaram temple

The temple complex is spread over an area of 40 acre in the heart of the city. The main complex is dedicated to Shiva Nataraja and the complex contains shrines to deities such as Shivakami Amman, Ganesh, Murugan and Vishnu in the form Govindaraja Perumal. The temple's earliest structures were designed and erected by ancient craftsmen called Perunthakkan. The golden tiled roof for the Chitrambalam (the vimanam) was laid by the Chola King Parantaka I (907-950 CE) following which he was given the title "Thillaiyambalathhukku porkoorai veiyntha thevan", meaning the one who constructed the golden roof. Kings Rajaraja Chola I (reign 985-1014 CE) and Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1120 CE) made significant donations to the temple. Gold and riches to the temple were donated by Rajaraja Chola's daughter Kundavai II while Chola king Vikrama Chola (1118-1135 CE) made donations for the conduct of the daily rituals. Donations of gold and jewels have been made by various kings, rulers and patrons to the temple from 9th to 16th century —including the Maharaja of Pudukottai, Sethupathy (the emerald jewel still adorns the deity). Naralokaviran, the General of the king Kulothunga Chola I was responsible for building a shrine for child saint Thirugnana Sambanthar and installed a metal image inside it. He constructed a hall for the recitation of Thevaram hymns and engraved the hymns in copper plates.

Economy
Tourism forms the economic base of Chidambaram. There are household industries like weaving is present within town limits, otherwise, there are no major industries in the town. As of 2001, the worker population constituted 18,249 people amounting to 31.6 per cent of the total population. Out of the total workforce, 16.059 constituting 88 per cent people were employed in the tertiary sector, 1,277 people constituting 7 per cent were involved in the secondary sector and 912 people constituting 5 per cent were involved in primary sector activities. The primary sector consists of local and regional marketing, with paddy being the primary traded product, followed by cereals, black gram, pulses, sugarcane and gingelly. The secondary sector activities consist of household activities and cane furniture manufacturing. The tertiary sector activities are the tourism-related activities centred on the Thillai Natarajar temple. The town has a floating population of around 100,000 every year being mainly religious tourists. Annamalai University, located in the outskirts of the town is also another major industrial driver. The town is a centre for trading for the surrounding villages, housing provisional stores, food grain stores, vegetable shops, hotels, markets and fertilizer shops.

Education and utility services
As of 2011, there were eleven government schools: six primary schools, three middle schools and two higher secondary schools in Chidambram. There were nine other private schools within the town. Chidambaram is home to the Annamalai University. Annamalai University is a public university located in Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Rajah Muthiah Dental College, Muthiah Polytechnic College, Government Arts College, Ragavendra Arts and science college, C.S. Jain College of Pharmacy and Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Institute of Maritime and Science Engineering College(pkimsec) are some of the prominent colleges in the town.

Electricity supply to Chidambaram is regulated and distributed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). The town along with its suburbs forms the Cuddalore Electricity Distribution Circle. A Chief Distribution engineer is stationed at the regional headquarters. Water supply is provided by the Chidambaram Municipality from the two mini power pumps, borewells and Deep borwell located in various parts of the town. In the period 2000–2001, a total of 7.5 million litres of water was supplied every day for households in the town.

As per the municipal data for 2011, about 31 metric tonnes of solid waste were collected from Chidambaram every day by door-to-door collection and subsequently the source segregation and dumping was carried out by the sanitary department of the Chidambaram municipality. The coverage of solid waste management in the town by the municipality had an efficiency of 100% as of 2001. There is no underground drainage system in the town and the sewerage system for disposal of sullage is through septic tanks, open drains and public conveniences. The municipality maintained a total of 23.372 km of storm water drains in 2011. As of 2011, there was one government hospital namely Kamaraj Government Hospital, one municipal maternity home and 17 private hospitals and clinics that take care of the health care needs of the citizens. As of 2011, the municipality maintained a total of 1,856 street lamps: 339 sodium lamps, 1,500 tube lights and 17 high mast beam lamps. The municipality operates four markets, namely the Daily Market West Car street, Gnanaprakasam market, North Main road fish market and Omakulam fish market that cater to the needs of the town and the rural areas around it.

Culture
The festivals in Chidambaram are centred on the festivals of the temple. The Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai festival celebrated in December–January indicates the first puja, the fourteenth day after the new moon (Chaturdashi) of the month of Masi (February–March) indicates the second pooja, the Chittirai Thiruvonam (in April–May), indicates the third pooja or uchikalam, the Uthiram of Aani (June–July) also called the Aani Thirumanjanam indicates the evening or the fourth puja, the chaturdasi of Aavani (August–September) indicates the fifth puja and the chaturdasi of the month of Puratasi (October–November) indicates the sixth pooja or Arthajama. Of these, the Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai (in December–January) and the Aani Thirumanjanam (in June–July) are the most important festivals. During these festivals, the festive deity is brought outside the sanctum sanctorum in a procession that includes a temple car procession followed by a long anointing ceremony. Several hundreds of thousands of people flock the temple to see the anointing ceremony and the ritualistic dance of Shiva when he is taken back to the sanctum sanctorum. Shiva, in his incarnation of Nataraja, is believed to have born on full moon day in the constellation of Ardra, the sixth lunar mansion. Lord Shiva is bathed only 6 times a year, and on the previous night of Ardra, the bath rituals are performed on a grand scale. Pots full of milk, pomegranate juices, coconut water, ghee, oil, sandal paste, curds, holy ashes, and other liquids and solids, considered as a sacred offering to the deity are used for the sacred ablution.

Natyanjali is a prominent festival celebrated during February every year when bharatanatyam dancers from all over the country converge to present dance offering to Nataraja.

Notable people

 * Appayya Dikshitar
 * Venki Ramakrishnan (b. 1952), structural biologist and Nobel prizewinner, born in Chidambaram.

Municipal administration and politics
Chidambaram is administered by a selective-grade municipality formed as third-grade municipality in 1873, upgraded to a second-grade in 1949, first-grade in 1974 and a selection-grade in 1998. The municipality covers an area of 11.16 sqkm and also the taluk headquarters. The Chidambaram municipality has 33 wards and there is an elected councillor for each of those wards. The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments: general administration/personnel, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, city planning and Information Technology (IT). All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the executive head. The legislative powers are vested in a body of 33 members, one each from the 33 wards. The legislative body is headed by an elected chairperson assisted by a deputy chairperson.

Chidambaram comes under the Chidambaram assembly constituency and it elects a member to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly once every five years. From the 1977 elections, All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) won the assembly seat four times (in 1980, 1984, 2006 and 2016 elections), three times by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK, 1977, 1989 and 2001 elections) and once each by Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M), 2011 election), Indian National Congress (INC, 1991 elections) and Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC, 1996). The current MLA of the constituency is K. A. Pandiyan (AIADMK).

Law and order in the town is maintained by the Chidambaram sub division of the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu Police headed by a Deputy Superintendent. There is one police station in the town located in West Car street.

Transport
The Chidambaram municipality maintains 64.12 km of road. The town has 8.44 km concrete roads and 48.69 km bituminous road. A total of 5 km of state highways is maintained by the State Highways Department and 6 km by the National Highways Department. It is located at a distance of 223 km from Chennai, 335 km from Madurai, 375 km from Rameswaram, 340 km from Bengaluru. The national highway NH- 32 (the Chennai- Villupuram-Puducherry-Cuddalore-Chidambaram-Nagapattinam- Thoothukudi Highway) passes through Chidambaram and NH81 connects Chidambaram with Coimbatore through Kattumannarkoil, Tiruchirapalli and Karur. The Cuddalore road, Pitchavaram Road, Sirkazhi Road, Kattumanarkoil road and Old Bhuvanagiri road are the five main district roads connecting Chidambaram to other cities of Tamil Nadu.

Minibus service operated by private companies cater to the local transport needs. The main bus stand is located in the heart of the town and has 46 bus bays. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates daily services connecting various cities such as Bengaluru, Madurai, Palani, Salem, Tindivanam, Kallakkurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Velankanni, Rameswaram, Tiruppur, Trichy, Perambalur, Karaikudi, Sivagangai, Paramakudi, Sayalkudi, Mudukulathoor, Panruti, Vriddhachalam, Erode, Mettur, Chennai, Puducherry, Viluppuram, Tirupathur and Neyveli with Chidambaram. The State Express Transport Corporation operates long-distance buses connecting the town to important cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Salem, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil. Three wheelers, called autos, are also a common public transport system.

Chidambaram railway station is located in the rail line from Mayiladuthurai to Viluppuram. There are daily express trains to Chennai, Rameswaram, Tirupathi, Cuddalore and Manamadurai. There are passenger trains to Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Nagore and Bengaluru.

Pondicherry Airport(PNY) is the nearest airport located around 66 kilometres north of Chidambaram.

title: Chidambaram