Harbaugh appears headed to Michigan

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.

Jim Harbaugh gathered his players and told them he is leaving, and they joined their voices for one final, familiar chant: “Who’s got it better than us? No-body!”

“The last, ‘Who’s got it better than us?’ I said it as loud as I could,” said wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who could soon follow the San Francisco coach’s departure.

Harbaugh will not fulfill the final season of his $25 million, five-year contract coaching the 49ers that he signed in January 2011, reaching a mutual agreement with the team to part ways. The announcement came after Sunday’s 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals and following a 8-8 season in which San Francisco had hoped to establish some momentum in new $1.3 billion Levi’s Stadium.

“It’s been the time of my life,” Harbaugh said. “Been a lot of great memories, great moments. ... It’s been a tremendous four years, it’s been a pleasure to work and serve for this organization. I feel great about what we accomplished.”

Harbaugh wouldn’t say whether he is indeed about to accept the job at alma mater, Michigan, except to offer vague hints and say he wouldn’t be around today.

When asked specifically about taking over the Wolverines program, he said, “There will be announcements made concerning those things.”

Might he miss the NFL if he moves to Ann Arbor?

“Is the NFL going somewhere?” Harbaugh quipped.

The unraveling of 2014 began months ago, almost a year back, really. San Francisco lost in the NFC championship game last January at Seattle, then watched the rival Seahawks go on to win it all. Shortly after, CEO Jed York acknowledged the Cleveland Browns inquired about trading for Harbaugh.

The 49ers saw thousands of empty seats at most games this season. San Francisco was eliminated from playoff contention with a 17-7 loss at Seattle on Dec. 14, its second defeat to the rival Seahawks in an 18-day stretch.

Harbaugh guided the 49ers to three straight NFC championship games and had a Super Bowl-or-bust mentality for this season that quickly turned sour.

“Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions,” York said. “We thank Jim for bringing a tremendous competitive nature and a great passion for the game to the 49ers.”