Miah Harbaugh is best known as the first wife of football coach Jim Harbaugh, who led Michigan to the 2023 national title and now coaches the Los Angeles Chargers. She is the mother of his three oldest children: Seattle Seahawks coach Jay Harbaugh, James Harbaugh Jr., and Grace Harbaugh.
The Harbaugh name means football. Jim coaches the Chargers, his brother John is one of the NFL’s most successful head coaches, and their father Jack coached college football for decades. So when people learn that Jim has seven children, they start asking about the mothers.
Miah is the mother of the first three. This article covers what is confirmed about her, the children she raised, the football world she married into, and the details online that don’t add up.
Quick Facts: Miah Harbaugh
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Miah Harbaugh (also reported as Miah Burke) |
| Known as | Jim Harbaugh’s first wife |
| Children | Jay (born June 14, 1989), James Jr. (born September 4, 1996), Grace (born June 27, 2000) |
| Former husband | Jim Harbaugh |
| Marriage dates | Reported as 1996 to 2006 (see confusion section) |
| Grandchildren | Two, through Jay |
| Birth date | Not publicly confirmed |
| Birthplace | Not publicly confirmed |
| Career | Not publicly confirmed |
| Current home | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Who Is Miah Harbaugh?
Miah Harbaugh is the mother of Jim Harbaugh’s first three children. A November 2024 article from People describes her as Jim’s first wife and names her as the mother of Jay, James, and Grace.
She has never been a public figure. She has not given interviews about the Harbaugh family, and she doesn’t appear at games in a public role.
What we know about her life is mostly told through her children, who have each found their own paths.
The Football Family Miah Harbaugh Joined
Jim Harbaugh was born on December 23, 1963, in Toledo, Ohio. His parents are Jack and Jackie Harbaugh. Jack was a longtime football coach, including 14 years as head coach at Western Kentucky.
Jim’s older brother, John Harbaugh, became a longtime NFL head coach, best known for his years leading the Baltimore Ravens.
That made the Harbaughs one of America’s best-known football families. Marrying into it meant marrying into a life of game days, training camps, and frequent moves.
Jim Harbaugh’s Playing Career
Jim starred at quarterback for the University of Michigan in the mid-1980s. The Chicago Bears picked him in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft, 26th overall.
He played for the Bears from 1987 to 1993. He then moved to the Indianapolis Colts, where he had his best season in 1995. He led the team to the AFC Championship Game, made the Pro Bowl, and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Fans gave him the nickname “Captain Comeback.”
He later played for the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers before retiring after the 2001 season.
Miah Harbaugh’s Oldest Son, Jay
Jay Harbaugh was born on June 14, 1989, in San Diego, California. That was during Jim’s early years with the Bears.
Jay went to St. Augustine High School in San Diego and Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. He then earned a sociology degree from Oregon State University, where he also worked as a student assistant on the football team.
He followed the family path into coaching. He worked for his uncle John’s Baltimore Ravens from 2012 to 2014. He then joined his father at Michigan from 2015 to 2023, becoming special teams coordinator.
Jay Harbaugh in the NFL
In 2024, Jay became special teams coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. For the first time in years, he wasn’t working under a family member.
Wikipedia notes that Jay is married to Britney and has two children. That makes Miah a grandmother.
Jay is the clearest example of how the Harbaugh coaching tradition carries on. He represents the third generation of coaches, after his grandfather Jack and his father Jim.
Miah Harbaugh’s Middle Child, James Jr.
James Harbaugh Jr. was born on September 4, 1996, according to People. That was during Jim’s time with the Colts.
James chose a different path from his older brother. People reports that he works as a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines.
He has spoken warmly about his father. On the Two Outs podcast, as quoted by People, James said his dad had supported him in everything he has done.
Miah Harbaugh’s Daughter, Grace
Grace Harbaugh was born on June 27, 2000, according to People. She is Miah’s youngest child with Jim.
Grace grew up around sports and found her own one: water polo. People quotes her saying that the sport combined everything she loved about athletics.
She has built a career on the business side of sports and entertainment. People reports that she worked as a social media intern at Fangirl Sports Network and as a marketing trainee at United Talent Agency, and that she went on to graduate study in business.
Jim Harbaugh’s Coaching Rise
After retiring as a player, Jim went into coaching. He was quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders in the early 2000s. He then became head coach at the University of San Diego.
In 2007, he took over Stanford, which he coached through 2010. He turned a struggling program into a winner.
That run led to the San Francisco 49ers, whom he coached from 2011 to 2014. In Super Bowl XLVII, he faced his brother John’s Ravens. Baltimore won, 34 to 31, in a game nicknamed the “Harbowl.”
Back to Michigan and the National Title
In 2015, Jim returned to Michigan as head coach. His son Jay joined his staff, which made it a true family operation.
In the 2023 season, Michigan won the national championship. In January 2024, Jim left to become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, signing a five-year deal.
Miah’s children grew up through all of these moves, from Chicago to Indianapolis to California and beyond.
Jim Harbaugh’s Second Family
After his marriage to Miah ended, Jim married Sarah Feuerborn. Momtastic, republished by Yahoo, reports they married in 2008.
Jim and Sarah have four children, according to People: Addison, Katherine, Jack, and John Paul. That brings Jim’s total to seven children.
Miah’s three children are the older half-siblings of Sarah’s four. Jay, the oldest, is more than 25 years older than John Paul, the youngest.
Clearing Up the Confusion About Miah Harbaugh
Many websites share the same details about Miah, and some of them don’t hold up. Here is what to know.
The marriage dates. Many sites say Jim and Miah were married from 1996 to 2006. But Jay was born in 1989. Either the marriage began earlier than reported, or the timeline is incomplete. Neither Jim nor Miah has clarified it publicly.
The “Burke” name. Some sites call her Miah Burke. No trusted outlet has confirmed it as her maiden or current name.
Wedding location. Some profiles name a specific resort. No trusted source confirms it.
Her age and background. Birth dates and hometowns online come from weak sources.
“Miah Harbaugh” as a daughter. At least one site describes Miah as Jim’s daughter. She is his former wife, not his child.
Net worth. No reliable figure exists.
Why Miah Harbaugh Stays Out of the Spotlight
Jim Harbaugh is one of the most famous coaches in America, and his press conferences regularly go viral. Miah has chosen the opposite: a quiet, private life.
That choice makes sense. Life as a football spouse means constant public attention. After a divorce, stepping back is a way to reclaim normal life.
Her children have taken public roles in their own ways, especially Jay. But Miah herself has let them speak for the family.
Miah Harbaugh Today
As of 2026, Miah keeps a private life. Where she lives and what she does have not been confirmed by trusted sources.
Her children are all grown. Jay coaches in Seattle with a family of his own. James works in aviation. Grace has built a career in sports and entertainment business.
Her ex-husband is coaching the Chargers, and his second family is growing up in the spotlight. Miah’s place in the Harbaugh story is quieter but just as real: she raised the first generation of Jim’s children.
Final Thoughts
Families like the Harbaughs are often told as a chain of famous men: a father who coached, two sons who coached, a grandson who coaches. It’s a neat story. It also leaves out the people who held each generation together between games.
Miah Harbaugh is one of those people. Through moves across the country, a long NFL career, and a marriage that ended, she raised three children who each grew up to choose their own direction. One stayed on the sideline, one took to the skies, and one built a career behind the scenes.
Maybe the real measure of a parent isn’t whether children follow the family path. It’s whether they feel free to choose their own. Judging by Jay, James, and Grace, Miah gave them that freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Miah Harbaugh?
Miah Harbaugh is Jim Harbaugh’s first wife and the mother of his three oldest children: Jay, James Jr., and Grace.
How many children does Miah Harbaugh have with Jim Harbaugh?
Three: Jay (born 1989), James Jr. (born 1996), and Grace (born 2000).
Is Jay Harbaugh Miah Harbaugh’s son?
Yes. People names Miah as Jay’s mother. Jay is now special teams coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.
Who is Jim Harbaugh married to now?
Jim Harbaugh is married to Sarah Feuerborn Harbaugh. They have four children together.
When did Miah and Jim Harbaugh divorce?
Many sources report 2006, but the full timeline of their marriage has not been confirmed by Jim or Miah.
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