The San Francisco 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh have “mutually agreed to part ways,” team CEO Jed York said in a statement Sunday.
York also said the 49ers have already started its search for the team’s next head coach.
On Saturday, there were multiple reports that Harbaugh had accepted an offer from Michigan to become the school’s next football coach. Michigan officials were reportedly in San Francisco this weekend to meet with the head coach.
On Sunday morning, Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports reported that Harbaugh is expected to be introduced at Michigan’s men’s basketball game on Tuesday. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports also reported Sunday that the Oakland Raiders remain “hopeful” about the chance of hiring Harbaugh.
From 49ers.com:
Harbaugh has a 44-22-1 record in four seasons with the 49ers, including three NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl berth. He played quarterback for Michigan from 1983-86, and is renowned for guaranteeing a win against archrival Ohio State in his senior season.
Harbaugh also played in the NFL for 15 years until 2001, and served as the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach in 2002 and 2003. He earned his first head coaching job at San Diego from 2004-06 before he was hired by Stanford in 2007. Over four seasons with the Cardinal, Harbaugh went 29-21, culminating in a 12-1, Orange Bowl-winning 2010 season with future Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck at quarterback.
Michigan fired Brady Hoke earlier this month after he went 31-20 in four seasons. The Wolverines went 5-7 this season, missing a bowl for the first time since 2009.
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