Jim Harbaugh’s coaching success began in 2004 when he got his first ever coaching gig with the San Diego Toreros.
And before his brother, John, and the Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship Game on Saturday, Harbaugh sought out one of his first quarterbacks in veteran Josh Johnson.
Johnson’s record-setting career at USD helped Harbaugh rise up the ranks from Toreros head coach, to the Stanford head coach, all the way to the NFL and bringing a long-awaited national championship back to his alma mater Michigan.
Favorite part of this is the hug between Jim & backup QB Josh Johnson.
Josh was Jim’s QB at his 1st HC job, non-scholarship University of San Diego, 20 years ago!
Jim helped Josh go from small school to NFL, & Josh help Jim go from small school to Stanford!
Since then, Jim’s… https://t.co/X4mfRMEqzc
— Andrew Hawkins (@Hawk) January 20, 2024
Fans loved the exchange on Twitter.
“Josh is an amazing dude and would make a great coach!,” a user said.
Josh is an amazing dude and would make a great coach!
— Nik Topolovec (@nikolatopo) January 20, 2024
“Josh Johnson’s stats with Harbaugh at San Diego are utterly ridiculous:” shared PFF’s Sam Monson.
Josh Johnson’s stats with Harbaugh at San Diego are utterly ridiculous: https://t.co/0POnA1pmvR pic.twitter.com/jo1SWH6167
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) January 20, 2024
“My boy Josh has played for 14 of the 32 NFL teams which is a league record. Hes special,” another tweeted.
My boy Josh has played for 14 of the 32 NFL teams which is a league record. Hes special. https://t.co/oatBFLLmpk
— Cincinnatus C./Nicky Diamonds. (@_Moziah) January 20, 2024
“Josh Johnson was also a staple of my Madden 13 franchise rosters. His speed helped me win numerous championships when whoever the starting QB was went down with an injury,” another person commented.
Josh Johnson was also a staple of my Madden 13 franchise rosters. His speed helped me win numerous championships when whoever the starting QB was went down with an injury https://t.co/sbmhpLXNYd
— Goga Bitadze #1 Fan (@EVBetsCO) January 20, 2024
It’s great to see the two still have this relationship all these years later. You’ve gotta love football.