Jim Harbaugh agrees to deal with San Francisco


January 7, 2011 at 5:39p.m.

Jim Harbaugh agrees to deal with San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — Jim Harbaugh is headed to the NFL without leaving the Bay Area.

The successful Stanford coach has been hired to coach the San Francisco 49ers, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had yet to announce the hire.

Harbaugh, a longtime NFL quarterback, will replace fired coach Mike Singletary. ESPN reported that Harbaugh’s expected to sign a five-year deal worth $25 million.

The 49ers scheduled an afternoon news conference in San Francisco but did not disclose why.

Harbaugh decided to make the jump to the pros even though San Francisco has missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons and Orange Bowl MVP quarterback Andrew Luck decided to remain at Stanford for another season.