Jim Harbaugh Leaves 49ers, Now On Michigan's Doorstep

After weeks of speculation within the NFL ranks, the San Francisco 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh have agreed to part ways.

Following the 49ers' 20-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, 49ers CEO Jed York released a statement that read, in part, "Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions."

The team also thanked Harbaugh for restoring a winning culture back to their football franchise.

"Been the time of my life. Been a lot of great memories, great moments," said Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh was pretty dead set on using his post-game interview to return the thanks to 49ers personnel, but one reporter was quick to ask the question we've all been wondering — which he ducked accordingly.

"Jim, do you expect to be the next head coach at Michigan?" asked a reporter.
"There'll be announcements made concerning those things," said Jim Harbaugh.

Even though Harbaugh himself hasn't said exactly where he'll end up just yet, multiple outlets report a return to his alma mater at the University of Michigan is pretty much a done deal and could happen as soon as early this week.

And, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, sources say Harbaugh is set to sign a 6-year, $48 million contract to replace recently-fired Brady Hoke as head coach for the Wolverines.

If this deal pans out, it would make Harbaugh the highest paid coach in college football at $8 million a year. Alabama's Nick Saban currently tops the list among college coaches at $7.16 million a year.

Harbaugh leaves San Francisco with quite a bulked up resume. Under his four years as head coach, the 49ers went 44-19-1 and made it to the NFC championship three times, including one Super Bowl appearance.

This video includes images from Getty Images.