Jim Harbaugh loves "Ted Lasso," the well-known show on Apple TV, even mentioning it in his introductory press conference back in February of 2024.
"Ted Lasso has now tied the Rockford Files," Harbaugh said back then about his favorite TV shows.
It turns out the Chargers Head Coach might have a deeper reason for his affinity for the Jason Sudeikis-led series.
Sudeikis recently joined the Men in Blazers' "One Year to Glory" event — which marked one calendar year to the 2026 World Cup — and revealed that he texted with Harbaugh to get an idea for what his character (Lasso) should wear on the sideline as an American soccer coach overseas.
Sudeikis noted that he exchanged texts with Harbaugh back in September of 2019 when the show was starting to film.
Sudeikis was the one who initiated the conversation.
"Writing you from jolly old England … as we're in the middle of filming episode two of that 'Ted Lasso' show I'm doing for Apple, so far so good, I think," Sudieikis texted with a shrug emoji.
He then asked Harbaugh about his game day routine, including attire for games and post-game interviews.
Harbaugh gave a detailed response, which included advice that could only come from him.
"I wear the same clothes every day, khakis and a blue sweatshirt," Harbaugh's texted back. "Will wear the same thing to post interviews and then home as well.
"No shower unless it's really hot or really cold outside or raining. In that case, our equipment manager has a duplicate pair of everything I wear in my locker, so I put that on to wear back on the plane or home," Harbaugh continued. "And always a new pair of socks and different underwear. There's always a locker with extra layers for cold games, plus long johns.
"That's the routine for road games and home games," Harbaugh added. "I pack a playbook, call sheet, one extra underwear, one extra pair of socks and a toothbrush. Wear the rest of what I need.
"As I like to say, I pack a toothbrush and a great attitude," Harbaugh concluded.
Harbaugh then noted that while some coaches might want to look spiffy for media obligations, he prefers to keep it casual.
"I don't see the point in getting all dressed up to ride the bus or walk into a stadium, but most coaches, many pro players want to look sharp for the brief camera shot coming off the bus and into the stadium," Harbaugh texted Sudeikis. "Hope that helps, more than happy to do so."
"Ted Lasso," which has won numerous Emmy Awards, will return for Season 4 although there is no official release date.
"There are some things that I've copied from Ted Lasso," Harbaugh said 16-plus months ago. "I try to emulate Ted Lasso in a lot of ways. That TV show, that is one of the best.
"Jason Sudeikis, I have a great story of how I met Jason Sudeikis, but I think that there's a life lesson in every one of those episodes," Harbaugh added. "If you haven't seen that show — a piece of advice, if I may — watch the Ted Lasso show."
If you've seen the show, now you know who Lasso's coaching wardrobe was inspired by.
