Whether or not the rumors are true and San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh is not long for the organization or even the NFL, it sure seems like the franchise's front office is at the very least doing its due diligence should the seemingly inevitable come to fruition.
In the latest sign that Harbaugh is on the outs and some new character is on his way in, Jason Cole, NFL reporter for Bleacherreport.com, says that the team has already begun researching potential replacements.
"#49ers already doing research on head coaching candidates from outside organization. Just for any of you doubters about Harbaugh being gone."
Harbaugh has long been rumored to be on the verge of dismissal, either via trade, release or firing. Stories of front office clashes and the toll his grating, overbearing personality has taken on players have circulated for months.
Since the news of these issues first surfaced, Harbaugh has been linked to the Oakland Raiders, the Miami Dolphins and, most recently, his alma mater, the University of Michigan.
The latest report, from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, had the Wolverines offering Harbaugh a six-year contract worth $48 million. The offer was said to have swayed Harbaugh, who had already rebuffed the school once, but he rebuked that notion.
He recently told reporters asking about his plans for the future that he wouldn't discuss any job other than the one in which he currently finds himself.
"As you know, I only talk about the job that I have," Harbaugh said, according to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press. "We've been together a long time, it's a longstanding policy."
Where Harbaugh eventually ends up is anyone's guess at this point, but with each passing day it seems more and more certain that he won't be back in San Francisco.
