In the coach's postgame press conference, it sounded like it was Jim Harbaugh's last game with the 49ers. "It's been the time of my life,'' Harbaugh told reporters; he also joked about a question about missing the NFL, by saying, "Is the NFL going somewhere?"
Not the NFL, just him, apparently. Harbaugh and the 49ers took the official first step some 40 minutes after their 20-17 win over the Cardinals Sunday in Santa Clara, saying in a press release by the team that they have "mutually agreed to part ways.The 49ers organization has begun its search for the team’s next head coach, while Harbaugh is now free to consider his next coaching opportunity without any constraints.''
MORE: Top 10 candidates to replace Harbaugh | Reports: Michigan deal done | Raiders' shot
Harbaugh's next opportunity is at Michigan, all reports have indicated, although nothing was official early Sunday evening. School representatives were reportedly in the Bay Area this weekend to speak to Harbaugh. Significantly, though, breaking with Harbaugh in this way also keeps NFL suitors in play, without teams having to compensate the 49ers for him. The Raiders were considered the front-runner were Harbaugh to consider staying in the NFL.
Harbaugh had one year left on the contract he signed in 2011, and the Browns and 49ers had discussed a trade last offseason when extension talks had grown contentious and the rift that led to his departure was becoming public knowledge.
Anyone other than Michigan landing Harbaugh now, however, has to be an extreme longshot at this point.
49ers owner Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke have scheduled a press conference for Monday afternoon to discuss their next move. Harbaugh led them to three straight NFC championship games and a Super Bowl appearance in his first three years, before going 8-8 in the turmoil-ridden season that just ended.
“For the last four seasons I have had the great privilege to coach one of the storied franchises in the history of football,” Harbaugh said in the statement. “We accomplished many great things together as a team during this period, which is a tribute to the incredible efforts of some of the most dedicated players and coaches in the NFL. I will miss competing alongside this group of players and coaches, I have the utmost respect and admiration for their hard work and support. It has been my honor to share the sideline with these mighty men. I will always appreciate and remember fondly, the passion and support of our Faithful fans, and want to express my particular thanks to them.”
Also in the statement, York thanked Harbaugh "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.”
Before the 49ers' trip to the Super Bowl after the 2012 season, the 49ers had not gone that far since winning it in 1994, under George Seifert and led by Steve Young and Jerry Rice. The franchise had gone through four coaches in the eight seasons before York and Baalke brought in Harbaugh from Stanford, and had not won a playoff game since 2002.
“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, speaking of Baalke. "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.”