Jim Harbaugh Rumors: 49ers Reportedly Reach Agreement With Michigan To Let Harbaugh Leave
Jim Harbaugh is reportedly gone from the San Francisco 49ers, after the team reached a deal to allow him to leave and become the new coach at the University of Michigan.
For more than a week, rumors have swirled that Michigan was coveting the 49ers coach, and was offering a six-year, $48 million contract to attract Harbaugh back to his alma mater. Though initial reports indicated that Harbaugh was going back and forth on whether to take the deal, it now appears that it is set.
CBS5 reporter Joe Pequeno tweeted that the two teams came to an agreement, and all that’s needed now is for Harbaugh and Michigan to finalize the details.
Source says, 49ers and Michigan have worked out a deal. Nothing signed, but UM Officials feel confident Jim Harbaugh will be new coach.
— Joe Pequeno (@JoePequenoCBS5) December 27, 2014
Though Harbaugh has not said publicly that he is joining Michigan next year, many believe that the college blew his cover when they tweeted a birthday message to him on Tuesday.
Happy Birthday, Jim. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/kameWJ7F5S — Michigan Football (@umichfootball) December 23, 2014
Jim Harbaugh said that this week, his focus is entirely on the Arizona Cardinals and finishing out the season strong, and that he hasn’t “participated in any of the speculation, the unnamed sources, the rumors” about where he will be coaching next season.
But 49ers officials confirmed that Jim Harbaugh has been speaking with the University of Michigan.
“I think the University of Michigan, in reaching out, did handle it correctly,” General manager Trent Baalke said Monday on 95.7 The Game. “As I look at it, guys, it’s very simple: He’s the head football coach of the San Francisco 49ers.”
Both Jim Harbaugh and the University of Michigan are covering their bases, however. If the two can’t pull through on a deal, Harbaugh has some other potential landing points, including the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets. Michigan also has a list of other potential candidates that includes Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone.
