Jim Harbaugh, 49ers agree to part ways; coach leaves with game ball, Gatorade bath and a smile
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Version 0 of 1. Jim Harbaugh coached his last game with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday and, although he wasn’t saying much about his future, there were all sorts of signs. Like the awkward pregame hug with owner Jed York. And then, after the 49ers’ 20-17 victory over Arizona, he was given a game ball. He got a Gatorade bath. Those aren’t the kinds of things a coach typically gets after the last game of a disappointing season in which the team went 8-8. At several points as the game was ending, he even smiled. Still, other than using the past tense in his postgame press conference, he wasn’t giving much away about his coaching future and whether it might include being named coach at Michigan or somewhere else. “We’ll see, we’ll see,” he said, eliciting laughs when asked if he would hold the Monday press conference typical of NFL coaches. “Let me think about that.” The 49ers made it official shortly after he spoke, announcing that he and the team had “mutually agreed to part ways.” “Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions,” York said in a statement released by the team. “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.” Asked if he would be the next head coach of the Wolverines, Harbaugh was coy, replying, “There will be announcements made about those things.” Which is about as close as Harbaugh could come to an announcement himself, even if he continued to speak in the past tense about his four years with the 49ers. “You do your best and if your best isn’t appreciated, you do your best anyways.” He even managed a “Dirty Dancing” reference. “I’ve had the time of my life,” he said with a laugh. “That song, ‘I’ve had the time of my life.’ I did. I really did. I had a lot of fun. … You work at the pleasure of the organization and it’s come to, uh, uh–it’s been a tremendous four years.” In the 49ers’ official statement, Harbaugh, who leaves with a 49-22-1 regular-season record (5-3 postseason) said: “For the last four seasons I have had the great privilege to coach one of the storied franchises in the history of football. 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.” H/T The Cauldron |