SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — 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 an 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 come Monday.
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