San Francisco 49ers Coach Dispels Trade Rumors
Rumors have been swirling around a possible trade of San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh to the Cleveland Browns. Others rumors have surfaced as well. He plans on leaving San Francisco after next season before his contract expires. He wants more power and money. Harbaugh put those rumors to rest in an interview with Sports Illustrated Michael Rosenberg.
Rosenberg asked Harbaugh if he could envision a scenario in which he leaves the San Francisco 49ers before his contract expires. Coach Harbaugh told Rosenberg he would not negotiate in the media. He did have this to say about the current rumors:
“No. Zero opportunity or chance of that in my mind.”
“I see all these reports about how I want to be the highest-paid coach in football. They presume I covet some kind of extension. I have never said to anybody that I want to be the highest-paid coach in football. I have never said that to anybody — my wife, my brother, my dad. I make plenty of money.”
“The other one is that I want more power. I have never said that, nor do I want any more power than I have. I coach the team. I’ve told my owner I don’t want any more power. I want to coach the team. And I’ve never told anybody else otherwise.”
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said this to USA Today about a recent meeting between him and San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York regarding a possible Jim Harbaugh trade, “There was an opportunity there, and it didn’t materialize.”
According to Sports Illustrated, “structure is at the root of speculation about Harbaugh’s future. There is a perception that Harbaugh and Baalke don’t get along, and that owner Jed York will have to choose between them.” According to Harbaugh they talk daily, even hourly.
It seems that most of the rumors concerning San Francisco’s head coach are just that, rumors. This is the norm for coaches who are nearing the end of their contract as nfl.com points out, “Harbaugh and the 49ers can say all of the right things, but without a contract extension, his name will continue to emerge for coaching vacancies throughout the final two years of his contract.” At least San Francisco fans can count on two more years with Harbaugh.
