Harbaugh hoping to add Kaepernick to Chargers' coaching staff

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is looking to reunite with quarterback Colin Kaepernick by bringing in the former NFL star as a member of his staff.

"If that was ever the path he was to take, I think that would be tremendous," Harbaugh recently said, according to Jarrett Bell of USA Today. "He'd be a tremendous coach, if that's the path he chose."

Kaepernick recently said he's still training and waiting for another shot to play in the NFL, according to Miriam Walker-Khan of Sky Sports. However, the 36-year-old hasn't played since his 2016 season with the San Francisco 49ers. Harbaugh coached San Francisco from 2011-14 and worked with Kaepernick after the team drafted the signal-caller in the second round in 2011.

The 49ers were successful during the Harbaugh and Kaepernick era as the duo helped the club play in two NFC title games and reach one Super Bowl.

"He's one of my favorite players that I've ever coached," said Harbaugh, who added that he originally talked to Kaepernick about joining the Chargers in a non-playing capacity shortly after he was hired by L.A. in January.

"We talked a little bit about it," Harbaugh continued. "He's considering it. He was out of the country. He said he was going to get back to me. We haven't reconnected since then."

Kaepernick last played during the 2016 campaign when he began kneeling during the U.S. national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice. He's worked out for multiple teams in recent years - including the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 - but wasn't able to strike a deal.

Harbaugh, 60, joined the Chargers this past offseason after coaching Michigan for nine campaigns.