Following the 2016 NFL season, the Chargers left San Diego and came to Los Angeles. It was a move that broke the hearts of many lifelong fans, a good portion of which likely latched on to a new team to root for or quit following the NFL altogether.
Since that time, the Chargers have been playing in the City of Angels, to varying results. They are 57-58 over that time period along with a 1-2 record in the playoffs. The team started at the StubHub Center (now known as Dignity Health Sports Park) which is the home of the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS. In 2020, they moved into SoFi Stadium.
When watching Chargers home games since the move to L.A., there has been one common theme. You usually see more fans rooting for the opponent than the Chargers. That is something that could change in quick fashion with the team's new head coach.
Jim Harbaugh could help Chargers finally have a home-field advantage
The Chargers didn't just hire any coach. They hired one of the most sought-after names in the game and they hired him fresh off of winning a College Football National Championship at Michigan. Though there is plenty to do in L.A. and many other teams to follow, excitement should be building around this team.
That excitement is what could bring Chargers fans out in droves. Fans in Los Angeles have a lot to cheer for. But if the Clippers are doing badly, they can switch to a Lakers jersey. If the Angels play poorly, there is always the Dodgers. In the NHL, you have the Kings and the Ducks.
Fans in Los Angeles have choices. They aren't going to follow a floundering team. In the NFL, they have a choice between the Chargers and the Rams. Nothing, not even Justin Herbert, has made fans pack SoFi Stadium in their powder blue jerseys, at least, not to drown out the cheers of the opposing team's fans.
Jim Harbaugh could change all of that... quickly and definitively. Of course, he's going to have to win to sustain it.