The_Mad Hatter

December 22nd, 2014 at 9:24 AM ^

My guess is that JH has told them he's not going to sign off on any trade and will be coaching Michigan next year.

The 49ers management gets to satisfy their hate boner by firing him while at the same time they get out of having to pay his buy-out as his Michigan salary will be a lot more than $5 million per year.

This is a win/win/win for everyone involved. 

charblue.

December 22nd, 2014 at 10:44 AM ^

it would make Harbaugh a free agent open to bidding by other NFL teams, it could speed up his acceptance to Michigan, if that's what he intends, and it changes the compensation package resolution of his 49er coaching contract. I assume his firing would come next week but who knows, it could be done now and then the picture for his services becomes murkier because he is suddenly in play for the Raiders, Jets, Bears or some other team.

MGoGrendel

December 21st, 2014 at 10:31 PM ^

if true. There would not have to be a buy out, but maybe one was arranged. Michigan gets him by Chirstmas; San Fran doesn't have to pay the remainder of the contract.

Mr. Yost

December 21st, 2014 at 11:42 PM ^

Why wouldn't the 49ers just wait to see if he left for Michigan?

If he left on his own accord they wouldn't have to pay him anymore, correct?

If he is fired, they still have to pay the guy part of his contract, correct?

I'm so confused on all of this...

I just don't see why the 49ers, even if they were going to fire him, why they wouldn't wait until mid-January to do it.

The playoffs are still going so if you're looking at an assistant on a playoff team, he's still going to be around.

What am I missing?

I mean, good for us, fire him now. But why aren't the 49ers waiting for a few more weeks? They have to know Michigan's deadline, why not force Harbaugh's hand and save the money with him voluntarily leaving for Ann Arbor?

Timnotep

December 21st, 2014 at 11:49 PM ^

IIRC San Francisco wouldn't save any money by waiting because they'd only have to pay him the difference between his 49ers salary and whatever salary he earns next year. Since his salary at Michigan (while it may not be the 8mil/yr reported) would undoubtedly be higher than his current salary the 49ers wouldn't be out jack

Tater

December 21st, 2014 at 10:48 PM ^

As I thought earlier, it is looking more and more like Harbaugh and the 49ers have decided to part as professionals and have reached a settlement.  I expect Harbaugh to be a pro, but I am somewhat surprised that the 49ers are finally going to do the right thing here.  If they didn't send signals that they were going to fire him in September, back when we all still thought that Brady Hoke pooped gold, Harbaugh would not have been available.

It will be nice to finally have this put to rest and have Jim Harbaugh back where he belongs.

Michology 101

December 22nd, 2014 at 12:18 AM ^

All right now. Alfonso Ribeiro doing that dance. A lot of people think he invented that dance, but it was actually very popular during the 80’s before he made it even more popular.

All you had to do was turn on American Bandstand and see people smiling while doing that goofy dance.

Champeen

December 22nd, 2014 at 9:33 AM ^

Main guys fluctuate there.  Chris used to basically be the basketball only guy.  Josh was the football only guy.  They had a few others covering everything like Spath and Pargoff (on his own now). Josh got promoted to midwest for rivals.  And rivals lost subscribers so Chris was forced to cover more than just bball.  He probably now does the most over there.

Although the main guy has actually been John Borton in the background for ever if i recall correctly.  He just doesn't do the busy work with contacts.

charblue.

December 22nd, 2014 at 10:53 AM ^

would be an accurate reflection of things. John is essentially lead writer and editor of the Wolverine mag and their .com affilitate. Their office used to right down State Street, not far from Schembechler Hall and near Produce Station. They may have moved. Their business is very credible on all things Michigan.

Leonhall

December 21st, 2014 at 10:33 PM ^

However this opens the door for other NFL teams to take immediate interest and possibly unexpectedly fire their current coach and go after jim without giving up compensation.....




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charblue.

December 22nd, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^

And if true, that would indicate the two sides have reached a contract settlement. However, what seems odd about that is that the organization could accomplish the same thing without firing him, and letting him walk if they knew he was going to take the Michigan job, anyway. What need would there be to firing him?

Once Jim is released from contract by the 49ers, he is open to accepting employment from anyone, and there would be no bar on any other NFL team in negotiating for his services. But of course. this is only an issue based on when this occurs. it would free him up to immediately announce he is coming to Michigan. But the open door here ought to serve as a bit of a warning about a last-minute hitch.

mGrowOld

December 21st, 2014 at 10:34 PM ^

I have never understood how the "trade the HC" was suppose to work.  It means the team the HC is going to (let's say Oakland) weakens itself to get the coach it wants.  But what motivation is there for the coach?  The team he's got to run got crappier by one or more missing draft picks - how is that something desireable?

It only works if the coach has a boner to go coach for the other team and doesnt care if they're any good in the short run.  And I dont think that describes Harbaugh with Oakland or any other team for that matter.

Blue Mike

December 21st, 2014 at 10:43 PM ^

What is in it for the coach is that he gets to go to the team he wants instead of the team he is under contract with.

If the 49ers wanted to, they could simply do nothing this offseason, and Jim Harbaugh would be their coach next season, no matter how miserable he was.  By agreeing to the "trade", the 49ers get some compensation for their coach going some place else.  The coach is somewhat penalized, but that is the cost of wanting to get out of your contract early.  It's why coaches don't get "traded" very often.

In reality, it isn't a trade at all.  Team A agrees to compensate Team B for letting their coach out of his contract so that Team A can sign him.  Team B only lets him out of his contract if he signs with Team A.