University of Minnesota Athletics
Football
Harbaugh Jr. , Greg
Greg Harbaugh Jr.
- Title:
- Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
NOTABLE:
Greg Harbaugh Jr. (HAR-bo) rejoined the Minnesota football staff in January 2022 and was named co-offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach in January 2023. In 2025, he was named offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach.
In 2024, Harbaugh led a balanced offense that was led by quarterback Max Brosmer and averaged 26 points per game. Minnesota rushed for 18 touchdowns and threw for 20 behind the leadership of Brosmer. In his one season at Minnesota, Brosmer completed a single-season school record 268 passes for 2,828 yards (third most in single-season school history) and 18 touchdowns (tied for eighth most in school single-season history). He ranked second in single-season school history with a completion percentage of 66.5% and his 217.54 passing yards per game is eighth in single-season school history.
Brosmer spread the ball around, as receivers Daniel Jackson, Elijah Spencer and running back Darius Taylor all had more than 50 receptions. Jackson led the way with 75 and was followed by Taylor (54) and Spencer (52). With records dating back to 1956, Minnesota has never had three players record at least 50 receptions in a season. Jackson and Taylor were both named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention for their efforts.
Jackson blossomed into one of the most sure-handed receivers in the nation. He led the team in receptions (75) and receiving yards (863) and grabbed four touchdowns. He had at least four catches in all 12 games he played in and at least once a game he seemed to deliver a how-did-he-make-that catch.
Jackson was paired with Spencer who made 52 catches for 684 yards and six touchdowns, as the duo became the first Gopher wideouts since Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman in 2019 to each record at least 50 catches, 600 yards and four touchdowns.
Le'Meke Brockington aided the Gopher passing game as well as he produced 18 receptions for 282 yards and one touchdowns. He also led the team - for anyone with more than one reception - with a 15.67 yards-per-catch average.
Taylor was a do-it-all back, as he rushed 205 times for 986 yards and a team-leading 10 touchdowns and caught 54 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns. He even completed one pass for a 10-yard touchdown against Virginia Tech. Taylor led Minnesota in all-purpose yards with 1,336 (986 rushing, 350 receiving).
Aireontae Ersery was named an All-American and was the Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year. He anchored a unit that helped Minnesota rush for 115.6 yards per game and throw for 222.15 yards per game and was then drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.
The 2023 season was his first year of guiding the offense. That unit featured three new starters on the offensive line, two new starters at receiver and new starters at quarterback and running back. Despite the change, Minnesota averaged 21 points per game, and the Gophers rushed for 13 touchdowns and passed for 16. Leading the way were All-Big Ten performers Jackson, Taylor and Ersery.
Jackson was named All-Big Ten Second Team after leading the team in receptions (59), receiving yards (831) and receiving touchdowns (8), while Taylor rushed 138 times for 799 yards (fifth most ever by a freshman in school history) and five touchdowns in only six games of action.
Taylor was recognized as All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and averaged 133.2 rushing yards per game (third most ever in school history). He set a true freshman rushing record with 208 yards against Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl.
Paving the way for the offense was a line that was led by left tackle Aireontae Ersery, who was named All-Big Ten Second Team. He, and the rest of the offensive line, blocked for an offense that rushed for 2,264 yards and threw for 1,864 yards.
Harbaugh spent the 2022 season as the team's tight ends coach. He coached Brevyn Spann-Ford and the dynamic tight end led Minnesota with 42 catches and tallied 497 yards and two touchdowns. Spann-Ford had the most receptions by a Gopher since the 2019 season and became the first tight end to lead the team in receptions since Maxx Williams in 2014. For his efforts, Spann-Ford was named honorable mention All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten by PFF, and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree by the league’s coaches and media members.
Harbaugh is in his third stint with the Gophers, as he previously served in a quality control role twice on Fleck’s Minnesota staff (2017 and 2019).
Harbaugh was the receivers coach at Western Michigan for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. With the Broncos, he mentored receivers D'Wayne Eskridge, Skyy Moore, Corey Crooms (played for Minnesota in 2023) and Jaylen Hall.
In 2020, Eskridge was a first team All-MAC selection at receiver, in addition to winning MAC Special Teams Player of the Year. He led the nation with 210.0 all-purpose yards per game, while 130.7 of those were receiving yards, a total which led the MAC and ranked fourth in FBS.
Moore ended the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,292 yards and nine touchdowns en route to being named All-MAC First Team. He ranked eighth in the nation in receiving yards per game (107.7) and placed 14th in the nation in receiving yards (1,292).
Crooms had 44 receptions for 768 yards and six touchdowns in 2021, while Hall made 46 catches for 752 yards and three scores.
In 2019, Harbaugh helped lead the Gophers to an Outback Bowl championship with a 31-24 victory against No. 9 Auburn. Minnesota finished the season with an 11-2 record and was one of three schools (joining Alabama and LSU) to feature two 1,000-yard receivers (Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson) and one 1,000-yard running back (Rodney Smith).
In 2018, Harbaugh coached receivers at Chattanooga. Under his tutelage, the team posted increases of 13 total receptions, 627 total receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns and 57.0 average receiving yards per game. Harbaugh coached Bryce Nunnelly to first team All-Southern Conference honors after finishing second in the league and seventh in the nation with 112.5 receiving yards per game.
Prior to his first stint at Minnesota in 2017, Harbaugh was at Western Michigan in 2015 and 2016 with Fleck. The Broncos won the Mid-American Conference championship and earned a berth in the 2016 Cotton Bowl and Western Michigan won the 2015 Bahamas Bowl.
Before his time at Western Michigan, Harbaugh held many roles at Marietta College for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He was the recruiting coordinator, academic coordinator, video coordinator and passing game coordinator. He also spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons as an assistant coach at Methodist University.
Harbaugh began his coaching career at North Carolina Wesleyan College in 2009-10, coaching receivers and running backs. The Battling Bishops won conference championships both years and earned an appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2009.
Harbaugh earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management from Averett University in 2009 and his master’s degree in sport management from Western Michigan in 2016.
Harbaugh and his wife, Emily, have two sons (Gregory III, who goes by Rory, and James) and one daughter (Lucy).
HARBAUGH AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
2025-present: Minnesota - Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
2023-24: Minnesota - Co-Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
2022: Minnesota - Tight Ends
2020-21: Western Michigan - Wide Receivers
2019: Minnesota - Quality Control
2018: Chattanooga - Wide Receivers
2017: Minnesota - Quality Control
2015-16: Western Michigan - Graduate Assistant
2013-14: Marietta College - Passing Game Coordinator / Recruiting Coordinator / Video Coordinator / Academic Coordinator
2011-12: Methodist University - Assistant Coach
2009-10: North Carolina Wesleyan College - Wide Receivers / Running Backs
Bowls Coached
2024 Duke's Mayo Bowl (Minnesota)
2023 Quick Lane Bowl (Minnesota)
2022 Pinstripe Bowl (Minnesota)
2021 Quick Lane Bowl (Western Michigan)
2020 Outback Bowl (Minnesota)
2017 Cotton Bowl (Western Michigan)
2015 Bahamas Bowl (Western Michigan)
Playing Experience: Averett University (quarterback and wide receiver), 2005-08
Birthday: September 21, 1986
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Sanderson H.S., 2005
Alma Mater: Averett University, 2009 (sport management); Western Michigan, 2016 (master's degree in sport management)
Wife: Emily
Sons: Gregory III (Rory) and James
Daughter: Lucy
- The 2025 season will be Harbaugh's sixth year overall at Minnesota and third as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (17th year overall in coaching).
- Is in his third stint with the Gophers, as he previously served in a quality control role twice on Fleck’s Minnesota staff (2017 and 2019).
- Coached Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer in 2024. In his one season at Minnesota, Brosmer completed a single-season school record 268 passes for 2,828 yards (third most in single-season school history) and 18 touchdowns (tied for eighth most in school single-season history). He ranked second in single-season school history with a completion percentage of 66.5% and his 217.54 passing yards per game is eighth in single-season school history. Brosmer signed with the Minnesota Vikings after playing for the Gophers.
- Saw D'Wayne Eskridge (Western Michigan) get taken in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks and Skyy Moore (Western Michigan) get taken in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Is in his third stint with the Gophers, as he previously served in a quality control role twice on Fleck’s Minnesota staff (2017 and 2019).
- Coached Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer in 2024. In his one season at Minnesota, Brosmer completed a single-season school record 268 passes for 2,828 yards (third most in single-season school history) and 18 touchdowns (tied for eighth most in school single-season history). He ranked second in single-season school history with a completion percentage of 66.5% and his 217.54 passing yards per game is eighth in single-season school history. Brosmer signed with the Minnesota Vikings after playing for the Gophers.
- Saw D'Wayne Eskridge (Western Michigan) get taken in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks and Skyy Moore (Western Michigan) get taken in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Greg Harbaugh Jr. (HAR-bo) rejoined the Minnesota football staff in January 2022 and was named co-offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach in January 2023. In 2025, he was named offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach.
In 2024, Harbaugh led a balanced offense that was led by quarterback Max Brosmer and averaged 26 points per game. Minnesota rushed for 18 touchdowns and threw for 20 behind the leadership of Brosmer. In his one season at Minnesota, Brosmer completed a single-season school record 268 passes for 2,828 yards (third most in single-season school history) and 18 touchdowns (tied for eighth most in school single-season history). He ranked second in single-season school history with a completion percentage of 66.5% and his 217.54 passing yards per game is eighth in single-season school history.
Brosmer spread the ball around, as receivers Daniel Jackson, Elijah Spencer and running back Darius Taylor all had more than 50 receptions. Jackson led the way with 75 and was followed by Taylor (54) and Spencer (52). With records dating back to 1956, Minnesota has never had three players record at least 50 receptions in a season. Jackson and Taylor were both named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention for their efforts.
Jackson blossomed into one of the most sure-handed receivers in the nation. He led the team in receptions (75) and receiving yards (863) and grabbed four touchdowns. He had at least four catches in all 12 games he played in and at least once a game he seemed to deliver a how-did-he-make-that catch.
Jackson was paired with Spencer who made 52 catches for 684 yards and six touchdowns, as the duo became the first Gopher wideouts since Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman in 2019 to each record at least 50 catches, 600 yards and four touchdowns.
Le'Meke Brockington aided the Gopher passing game as well as he produced 18 receptions for 282 yards and one touchdowns. He also led the team - for anyone with more than one reception - with a 15.67 yards-per-catch average.
Taylor was a do-it-all back, as he rushed 205 times for 986 yards and a team-leading 10 touchdowns and caught 54 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns. He even completed one pass for a 10-yard touchdown against Virginia Tech. Taylor led Minnesota in all-purpose yards with 1,336 (986 rushing, 350 receiving).
Aireontae Ersery was named an All-American and was the Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year. He anchored a unit that helped Minnesota rush for 115.6 yards per game and throw for 222.15 yards per game and was then drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.
The 2023 season was his first year of guiding the offense. That unit featured three new starters on the offensive line, two new starters at receiver and new starters at quarterback and running back. Despite the change, Minnesota averaged 21 points per game, and the Gophers rushed for 13 touchdowns and passed for 16. Leading the way were All-Big Ten performers Jackson, Taylor and Ersery.
Jackson was named All-Big Ten Second Team after leading the team in receptions (59), receiving yards (831) and receiving touchdowns (8), while Taylor rushed 138 times for 799 yards (fifth most ever by a freshman in school history) and five touchdowns in only six games of action.
Taylor was recognized as All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and averaged 133.2 rushing yards per game (third most ever in school history). He set a true freshman rushing record with 208 yards against Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl.
Paving the way for the offense was a line that was led by left tackle Aireontae Ersery, who was named All-Big Ten Second Team. He, and the rest of the offensive line, blocked for an offense that rushed for 2,264 yards and threw for 1,864 yards.
Harbaugh spent the 2022 season as the team's tight ends coach. He coached Brevyn Spann-Ford and the dynamic tight end led Minnesota with 42 catches and tallied 497 yards and two touchdowns. Spann-Ford had the most receptions by a Gopher since the 2019 season and became the first tight end to lead the team in receptions since Maxx Williams in 2014. For his efforts, Spann-Ford was named honorable mention All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten by PFF, and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree by the league’s coaches and media members.
Harbaugh is in his third stint with the Gophers, as he previously served in a quality control role twice on Fleck’s Minnesota staff (2017 and 2019).
Harbaugh was the receivers coach at Western Michigan for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. With the Broncos, he mentored receivers D'Wayne Eskridge, Skyy Moore, Corey Crooms (played for Minnesota in 2023) and Jaylen Hall.
In 2020, Eskridge was a first team All-MAC selection at receiver, in addition to winning MAC Special Teams Player of the Year. He led the nation with 210.0 all-purpose yards per game, while 130.7 of those were receiving yards, a total which led the MAC and ranked fourth in FBS.
Moore ended the 2021 season with 95 receptions for 1,292 yards and nine touchdowns en route to being named All-MAC First Team. He ranked eighth in the nation in receiving yards per game (107.7) and placed 14th in the nation in receiving yards (1,292).
Crooms had 44 receptions for 768 yards and six touchdowns in 2021, while Hall made 46 catches for 752 yards and three scores.
In 2019, Harbaugh helped lead the Gophers to an Outback Bowl championship with a 31-24 victory against No. 9 Auburn. Minnesota finished the season with an 11-2 record and was one of three schools (joining Alabama and LSU) to feature two 1,000-yard receivers (Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson) and one 1,000-yard running back (Rodney Smith).
In 2018, Harbaugh coached receivers at Chattanooga. Under his tutelage, the team posted increases of 13 total receptions, 627 total receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns and 57.0 average receiving yards per game. Harbaugh coached Bryce Nunnelly to first team All-Southern Conference honors after finishing second in the league and seventh in the nation with 112.5 receiving yards per game.
Prior to his first stint at Minnesota in 2017, Harbaugh was at Western Michigan in 2015 and 2016 with Fleck. The Broncos won the Mid-American Conference championship and earned a berth in the 2016 Cotton Bowl and Western Michigan won the 2015 Bahamas Bowl.
Before his time at Western Michigan, Harbaugh held many roles at Marietta College for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He was the recruiting coordinator, academic coordinator, video coordinator and passing game coordinator. He also spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons as an assistant coach at Methodist University.
Harbaugh began his coaching career at North Carolina Wesleyan College in 2009-10, coaching receivers and running backs. The Battling Bishops won conference championships both years and earned an appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2009.
Harbaugh earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management from Averett University in 2009 and his master’s degree in sport management from Western Michigan in 2016.
Harbaugh and his wife, Emily, have two sons (Gregory III, who goes by Rory, and James) and one daughter (Lucy).
HARBAUGH AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
2025-present: Minnesota - Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
2023-24: Minnesota - Co-Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
2022: Minnesota - Tight Ends
2020-21: Western Michigan - Wide Receivers
2019: Minnesota - Quality Control
2018: Chattanooga - Wide Receivers
2017: Minnesota - Quality Control
2015-16: Western Michigan - Graduate Assistant
2013-14: Marietta College - Passing Game Coordinator / Recruiting Coordinator / Video Coordinator / Academic Coordinator
2011-12: Methodist University - Assistant Coach
2009-10: North Carolina Wesleyan College - Wide Receivers / Running Backs
Bowls Coached
2024 Duke's Mayo Bowl (Minnesota)
2023 Quick Lane Bowl (Minnesota)
2022 Pinstripe Bowl (Minnesota)
2021 Quick Lane Bowl (Western Michigan)
2020 Outback Bowl (Minnesota)
2017 Cotton Bowl (Western Michigan)
2015 Bahamas Bowl (Western Michigan)
Playing Experience: Averett University (quarterback and wide receiver), 2005-08
Birthday: September 21, 1986
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Sanderson H.S., 2005
Alma Mater: Averett University, 2009 (sport management); Western Michigan, 2016 (master's degree in sport management)
Wife: Emily
Sons: Gregory III (Rory) and James
Daughter: Lucy
Coach Fleck Previews Northwestern State
Monday, September 01
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Win Opener
Monday, September 01
Ski-U-March Season Opener
Friday, August 29
Highlights: Gophers 23, Buffalo 10
Thursday, August 28
