Jim Harbaugh may be, for many 49er fans, the most head-scratching fire of the NFL’s 2014-15 season. Oh sure, everyone saw it coming ; but looking at the record, the decision still falls short of making sense.
During his brief tenure with the organization — which had taken a tumble in the years leading up to hiring Harbaugh — he managed a 44-19-1 regular season record. He accumulated five playoff wins and three trips to the NFC Championship game. And one trip to the Super Bowl.
Yet here it is Sunday night, and the 49ers are willingly accepting applications for the position of new head coach.
The two seem to be parting ways on mutual terms, though no one expected 49ers CEO Jed York to renew his contract.
On Sunday, York had this to say.
“Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions. We thank Jim for bringing a tremendous competitive nature and a great passion for the game to the 49ers. He and his staff restored a winning culture that has been the standard for our franchise throughout its history. Their commitment and hard work resulted in a period of success that should be looked back on proudly by our organization and our fans. We wish Jim and his family all the best.”
The no-nonsense coach was also playing nice after his guys defeated the playoff-bound Arizona Cardinals 20-17, snapping a four-game losing streak in the last week of the regular season.
NBC Bay Area — in the locker room following the victory — said he was praising players and members of the organization and sharing “hugs with such players as NaVorro Bowman and Frank Gore.”
“It felt great to win, feel good about ourselves,” said Jim Harbaugh of Sunday’s finish. “I count up these wins, and that’s 49 wins. That seems appropriate… I’m proud to have been a part of it.”
Harbaugh will reportedly be taking over as head coach for the University of Michigan next season while York and general manager Trent Baalke will begin the search for a replacement.
“We are now squarely focused on finding the next head coach of the 49ers and I am very confident in Trent’s ability to lead that process,” York said. “With the great leaders and talented players we have in our locker room, we are ready to move into the next chapter of our team’s history.”
Do you think firing Jim Harbaugh is a big mistake or what the 49ers need?
[Image via Flickr Creative Commons ]
