Report: Michigan officials to be in Bay Area for Jim Harbaugh this weekend
Michigan officials will be in the Bay Area this weekend as they continue their pursuit of San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.
The Wolverines' coaching search could come to a head next week considering the 49ers will play their season finale Sunday vs. the Arizona Cardinals. Entering the weekend, the Niners are 7-8 and still widely expected to part ways with Harbaugh.
Michigan has reportedly offered Harbaugh a six-year contract worth as much as $48 million to return to his alma mater. Reports have remained in a holding pattern, however, until San Francisco's season concludes. This week, Harbaugh's brother, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, denied reports suggesting the family is steering Jim to return to Michigan.
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Harbaugh was asked on Friday if he would resign on Monday following the season finale, but declined to provide a concrete answer.
"It's the same. We plowed that ground very thoroughly," he said, referring to when he was asked about the postseason meetings earlier in the week. "What will happen will happen. What won't happen won't happen."
The 49ers have only said that they will meet with Harbaugh shortly after the season ends to discuss his future with the team. Earlier this week, general manager Trent Baalke acknowledged for the first time that Michigan had contacted the 49ers about pursuing Harbaugh.
“As long as it’s handled correctly, I think the University of Michigan, in reaching out, did handle it correctly,” Baalke said Monday during his weekly appearance on 95.7 The Game, acknowledging for the first time that Michigan has made official contact in pursuing Harbaugh.
Michigan finished 5-7 this season, missing a bowl game for the first time since 2009. Interim athletic director Jim Hackett, taking over for Dave Brandon after his resignation in October, fired head coach Brady Hoke on Dec. 2.
- Mike Fiammetta
