A split between Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers has essentially morphed into a "when" question and not an "if." With San Fran officially eliminated from playoff contention, the decision becomes even easier for 49ers brass. However, the team appears to be waiting until after the season to make anything official.
"When the season ends, decisions are going to be made," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said this week on the Damon Bruce Show on 95.7 The Game. "And that's when that conversation is going to take place. Jim and I sat here this morning and we basically talked about just that, and we talked about what we needed to do from a roster standpoint to get ready to play Saturday.
"And that's really the focus. The focus is on getting ourselves prepared to win a football game. And although there may not be as much at stake, and some people wonder why you're putting that much effort into it, (it's) because we're professionals and we're very prideful in what we do. And we want to go out and win a football game. And the only way you can do that is get complete focus on it."
Rumors have circulated that the relationship between Harbaugh and Baalke has soured to an unsalvageable point. Harbaugh's success with the team (43-18, three playoff appearances) doesn't appear to be enough to save his job. However, Baalke wouldn't talk specifics when pressed on the matter.
"I know you want to take this to the next level and what's going to happen at the end of the season, and I'm trying to tell you in a very nice way and focused way, that our focus is on one thing: Getting ready for San Diego. Period," Baalke said.
The GM's focus may be on the present, but NFL fans are wondering about the future. Harbaugh has been mentioned repeatedly as a popular candidate for the coaching vacancy at the University of Michigan, where he played his college ball. But a move back to college doesn't seem likely.
Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News reports that "Harbaugh wants to stay in the NFL." Should that be the case, Harbaugh will likely have his pick of jobs in the offseason.
Harbaugh is in the fourth year of a five-year deal worth $25 million.
