After months of rumors, the expected has finally come to pass.
The San Francisco 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh have mutually decided to part ways after four seasons, a 44-19-1 regular season record, 5-3 postseason record, three straight NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl appearance.
"Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions," CEO Jed York said, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com. "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."
The mutual separation means that Harbaugh is free to sign anywhere and with any team, college or NFL, with no strings attached and no compensation required to change hands.
Harbaugh, after his 49ers team sent him riding off into the sunset with a 20-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, had nothing but positive things to say about his time in the Bay Area.
"It's been the time of my life," Harbaugh said, according to Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com in a separate report.
