VISTA – University of San Diego head football coach Jim Harbaugh, the former Chargers quarterback, pleaded innocent today to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.

The 41-year-old defendant, who just completed his second year as the head of the Toreros, was stopped early on Oct. 30 in Encinitas after allegedly running a stop sign.

According to court documents, Harbaugh refused to take a field sobriety test after he was pulled over.

When his arrest became public, he was upfront with the media about making a mistake.

"I feel I've had a lifetime of good social decision-making, this was a bad one."

Judge Aaron Katz scheduled a Jan. 12 readiness conference and a Feb. 16 trial date.

Harbaugh played with the Chargers, the famous Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens in a 15-year National Football League career. He was the AFC Player of the Year with the Colts in 1995.

His 2005 Toreros finished their season with a school-best 11-1 record and a number one ranking for NCAA Division 1-AA non-scholarship teams.

Harbaugh's name has surfaced as a possible candidate for the open head coaching job across Mission Valley at San Diego State University.