Miami breaks off talks with Jim Harbaugh

Associated Press

MIAMI

Two people familiar with the negotiations say talks between Jim Harbaugh and the Miami Dolphins have broken off, and the team is expected to retain Tony Sparano as coach.

Both people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the negotiations were to remain confidential.

Harbaugh met Thursday with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross in the San Francisco area, two other people with knowledge of the situation said. After the meeting, Harbaugh was still considering staying at Stanford, one person said.

Harbaugh also met Thursday with the president of the university and the provost. The school made an amended offer to the coach with enhancements from an offer presented in early December.

ESPN was first to report Harbaugh’s meeting with Ross. Harbaugh met Wednesday with the San Francisco 49ers about their coaching vacancy. He may consider other suitors as well and hasn’t ruled out remaining at Stanford.

A late-season collapse by the Dolphins left Sparano’s job in jeopardy.

Harbaugh returned Tuesday to the Bay Area following Stanford’s 40-12 Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech in the stadium Ross owns. Ross, Dolphins CEO Mike Dee and general manager Jeff Ireland were on the Stanford sideline before the game.

Landing Harbaugh will require a significant financial commitment. New Denver Broncos chief football executive John Elway has said he hopes to interview Harbaugh for their job, and new 49ers general manager Trent Baalke is looking for the coach to replace Mike Singletary, who was fired.

Harbaugh played 15 seasons in the NFL for the Bears, Colts, Ravens, Chargers and Panthers. He also has NFL coaching experience — he was the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach in 2002-03, then spent three seasons as head coach at the University of San Diego.

Harbaugh’s brother, John, is the coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who are in the AFC playoffs.