Shawne Merriman Thrilled Over Chargers' Jim Harbaugh Hire, 'Match Made In Heaven'

Shawne Merriman says the Chargers knocked it out of the park with their Jim Harbaugh hire … telling TMZ Sports he believes his ex-team now has a feeling of, “‘Hey, we can go out and win a championship now!'”

The former pass rusher was fired up when we spoke with him shortly after the Bolts named the ex-Michigan coach their new head man … explaining to us he thinks L.A. is now a real-deal Super Bowl contender.

Merriman says the roster Harbaugh is inheriting is “the most talented team to never make the playoffs” … and he’s expecting a turnaround to happen relatively swiftly.

“If I’m Jim Harbaugh, I’m licking my chops,” Merriman said. “I’m walking in there one day like somebody just handed me the keys to a Ferrari and I’m about to slam on the gas, right?”

As for the fit, Merriman previously expressed concerns about Harbaugh’s ability to connect with young players at 60 years old … but it seems those qualms have been squashed since the hiring process officially kicked off a few weeks ago.

“It’s just a match made in heaven,” he said. “I don’t think there could’ve been more of a perfect storm.”

Merriman also expressed gratitude that his former team passed on the opportunity to sign Bill Belichick … believing the fit just wouldn’t have worked in the City of Angels.