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Jim Harbaugh

Coaching Notes: Harbaugh, Coughlin, Philbin

December 14th, 2014 at 9:27pm CST by Rob DiRe

Whether or not the 49ers‘ window is closed, head coach Jim Harbaugh’s time with the team may be in its waning moments. His relationship with CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke has deteriorated, and questions have arisen over his future with the team since before the 2014 season.

Harbaugh expects to meet with the organization about his future, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.

“I’m always available to sit down with the owner and general manager, absolutely,” Harbaugh said. “Yes, at some point I expect that.”

Here are some other notes regarding coaches on the hot seat:

  • Giants‘ head coach Tom Coughlin has long been rumored to be at the end of his rope as the team’s head coach, due to his advanced age and the team’s poor performance. Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com believes coach Coughlin deserves one more year. O’Connor believes that his two Super Bowl rings have earned him the benefit of the doubt, and believes the organization owes him the opportunity to coach the phenomenal rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in 2015.
  • After being blown out by the Patriots, the Dolphins should consider moving on from head coach Joe Philbin at season’s end, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. With the team’s playoff hopes nearly out the window, Salguero argues that anything short of two wins and an unlikely playoff berth would cement the season as another disappointment.
  • Buccaneers‘ head coach Lovie Smith has also been underwhelming, but the team would be unlikely to move on from him so soon, writes Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Smith is in the first year of a five-year deal, and it would be unusual for the organization to make a move so early into the contract.

Kaepernick: “Not A Chance” Window Is Closed

December 14th, 2014 at 6:54pm CST by Rob DiRe

With the loss to the Seahawks today, the 49ers have officially been eliminated from playoff contention, ending a streak of three consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances earlier than most fans and pundits would have expected before the season.

At 7-7 and with nothing to play for, the focus in San Francisco will turn to the ongoing drama concerning head coach Jim Harbaugh’s future in the NFL. It seems as if the Harbaugh rumors have been a cloud over the team for the entire season, and the tension between the coach and his bosses, CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke, seem irreparable.

However, the franchise quarterback Colin Kaepernick is not ready to give up on the coach who gave him his first shot to play in the NFL, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBAyArea.com. “I think we have great confidence in coach Harbaugh and this staff and everything we’re doing to make sure this team is prepared for Sundays,” Kaepernick said before the game against the Seahawks. “Things haven’t gone as smoothly as the last three seasons, so people start panicking and criticizing.”

When asked if he thought that this team’s window was closing, the quarterback answered very simply, “Not a chance.”

Harbaugh had been a big supporter of Kaepernick, who signed a year-to-year deal that made it easy for the organization to move on from him financially. However, Kaepernick’s job is not directly linked to Harbaugh, and the 49ers would likely be excited to see how he takes to a new system on offense, especially after the regression he has experienced as a passer this season.

Coaching Updates: Coughlin, Philbin, Broncos

December 14th, 2014 at 11:09am CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at a few items regarding two head coaches who are on the hot seat and two more who might join the head coaching ranks in 2015:

  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Giants head coach Tom Coughlin wants to coach for another season, and there is no guarantee that New York will fire its long-time sideline general. Steve Serby of the New York Post adds that it is not time for Coughlin to be replaced.
  • Rapoport tweets that Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin‘s fate will be determined by how his team finishes the 2014 season. If Miami suffers another December swoon, Philbin’s job will be in jeopardy. Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that if Philbin is fired, the team does not plan to pursue Jim Harbaugh, contrary to numerous reports stating otherwise.
  • Mike Klis of the Denver Post writes that the Broncos can expect to replace both offensive coordinator Adam Gase and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio after this season, as both are prime candidates to land head coaching gigs.

West Links: Seahawks, Raiders, Chargers

December 10th, 2014 at 9:29pm CST by Ben Levine

Following coach Gary Anderson‘s departure to Oregon State, a head coaching job at Wisconsin suddenly opened up. Both Albert Breer and ProFootballTalk (via Twitter) suggested that Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell would be a worthy candidate for the job.

The former Badgers quarterback was asked about the coaching vacancy following Seattle’s practice (via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times):

“Being a head coach someday is of interest to me. I would say I have thought about college. I don’t know exactly at this point where it would be or what it would be. But I do feel like I want to be a head coach someday.”

Bevell was the Badgers quarterback from 1992-1995, when he set several single-game and career passing records.

Let’s check out some more notes from the NFL’s western divisions…

  • Bill Williamson of ESPN.com writes that Jack Del Rio could be included in the Raiders inevitable head coaching search. “He has experience, he is doing well in his current job, he is from the East Bay Area and he is highly respected around the league,” Williamson says of the Broncos‘ defensive coordinator.
  • Williamson adds in a tweet that Jim Harbaugh would be the Raiders top choice for the job, noting that the 49ers coach is a more realistic target than Jon Gruden. However, the writer warns that securing Harbaugh’s services “may not be easy.”
  • The Chargers signed Mat McBriar yesterday, but that wasn’t the only punter the team looked at. According to Howard Balzer (on Twitter), the team also worked out Robert Malone, Zoltan Mesko and Brian Moorman.

49ers Notes: Tryouts, Kaepernick, Bowman

December 8th, 2014 at 7:27pm CST by Ben Levine

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was not a man of many words following his team’s loss to the lowly Raiders on Sunday. After the game, reporters wanted to question the coach’s future with the organization, but Harbaugh made his intentions clear.

“My priorities are: No. 1, winning football games,” Harbaugh said (via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com). “No. 2, the welfare of our players, coaches and our staff. And lastly, is what my personal/professional future is.”

So, does the coach want to remain with the 49ers next season?

“My priorities,” he said, “are winning games.”

As we try to decipher Harbaugh’s comments, let’s take a look at some more notes out of Santa Clara…

Coaching Notes: Harbaugh, Sparano, Gruden

December 8th, 2014 at 5:39pm CST by Ben Levine

As the season winds down, more and more teams find themselves out of playoff contention. A team often seeks a scapegoat for a disappointing season, and this results in plenty of coaching rumors during the season’s final weeks. Let’s take a look at whispers regarding some potential vacancies…

  • Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole was featured on the site’s “Insider Buzz” segment, where he told host Stephen Nelson that Jim Harbaugh‘s future with the 49ers is “pretty much over.”
  • Cole confirms that the Raiders indeed have interest in Harbaugh, adding that there’s been contract between Raiders intermediaries and Harbaugh intermediaries. However, the list of competitors for Harbaugh’s services is growing, as Cole mentions the Dolphins and Jets as potential destinations.
  • Meanwhile, Raiders interim head coach Tony Sparano avoided questions regarding his job security for 2015, according to Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune (via Twitter). However, the coach did express his belief that the locker room has bought into his message, perhaps indicating that he has the support of his players.
  • Jay Gruden’s first season didn’t go as planned, but the Washington head coach isn’t planning on jumping ship to an appealing college job. His agent told ESPN.com’s John Keim (via Twitter) that the coach has not talked to anyone from Michigan.

Extra Points: Browns, Harbaugh, Peterson

December 7th, 2014 at 10:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s take a look at some assorted notes as we wrap up the weekend…

  • The Browns quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 took a hit today, but don’t expect the team to make any drastic changes. Following Cleveland’s 25-24 loss to the Colts, coach Mike Pettine addressed the play of quarterback Brian Hoyer (via David Campbell of Cleveland.com). “He did not play well enough for us to win,” Pettine said. “The entire team did not play well enough for us to win.” So, will the team make the switch to rookie Johnny Manziel? “I haven’t even thought about it,” said Pettine. “It’s something we’ll get together and discuss. It’s too fresh after this one.”
  • There isn’t only a quarterback controversy in Cleveland. According to Branson Wright of The Plain Dealer, the Browns may be looking for another kicker after veteran Billy Cundiff missed another key kick. “It’s obviously concerning,” said Pettine. “We get field goal attempts, we get a chance to put points on the board against a good team and you’ve got to be able to convert.”
  • There have been plenty of rumors regarding Jim Harbaugh‘s future with the 49ers, but the head coach was adamant that the whispers have not distracted his team, saying “it can’t be a factor.” The coach was also clear that he’s focused on this season. “My priorities are No. 1, winning football games,” Harbaugh said (via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com). “No. 2, the welfare of our players, coaches and staff. And, lastly, is what my personal professional future is.”
  • A resolution to the Adrian Peterson appeal will come eventually, and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes the running back will be on the field in 2015 if a deal is reached. If a deal isn’t reached, the writer warns that a lawsuit could be the next option.

Sunday Roundup: Big Ben, Cobb, 49ers

December 7th, 2014 at 12:33pm CST by Rory Parks

The Steelers plan to begin contract talks with Ben Roethlisberger, who is under contract through 2015, after this season, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Pittsburgh realizes that Roethlisberger, despite his age and the number of hits he has taken over the course of his career, will command at least $20MM a year, but that will not prevent the club from making its two-time Super Bowl champion its top offseason priority.

La Canfora adds that he would not be surprised if the Steelers and Roethlisberger were able to work out an extension prior to the beginning of the free agency period in March, which would allow them to know exactly how much cap flexibility they would have to acquire players from other organizations and to retain their own free agents. Last season’s rumors that Roethlisberger once considered asking for a trade were apparently untrue, La Canfora writes, and now all interested parties agree that a third contract with the team is inevitable.

Now for some more links from around the league as Week 14 kicks off in full force:

  • ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets that the Steelers will have an important decision to make regarding cornerback Cortez Allen this offseason, as Allen is owed a $3MM roster bonus on the fifth day of free agency.
  • Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that Randall Cobb is the Packers‘ top free agent priority and that the team is working to work out a long-term extension with him.
  • Although a possible 49ers trade of head coach Jim Harbaugh following the 2014 season has been widely discussed, the machinations of such a deal are a little less clear. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, Harbaugh would pick his new team, the 49ers would agree to trade terms with that team, the 49ers would release Harbaugh from his contract, and Harbaugh would sign a new deal with the other club.
  • Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes that Vernon Davis‘ disappointing 2014 season has created a great deal of uncertainty for the 49ers moving forward, as Davis is owed just shy of $5MM in 2015, the last year of his current contract.
  • Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets that highly-coveted CFL prospect Duron Carter will hold a Pro Day in Florida in early January and then will begin visiting teams. Almost half of the league has expressed some form of interest in Carter to date.
  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Mike Singletary could be a surprise head coaching candidate in 2015. According to Rapoport, several “high-ranking people” believe Singletary will get another crack at the top job next season.

Updating Jim Harbaugh’s Market

December 7th, 2014 at 8:42am CST by Rory Parks

Although the 49ers remain in the NFC playoff picture, speculation as to where current head coach Jim Harbaugh will land in 2015 has been swirling for some time. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports provides an updated look at the teams that have been linked most closely with Harbaugh and their chances of landing the coveted sideline general:

  • The Raiders, of course, are currently seen as the most likely contender for Harbaugh’s services. La Canfora points out that while the 49ers would prefer to keep Harbaugh out of the same media market, trading him out of the NFC is a bigger priority, and Oakland could offer the best return. It is also worth noting that the Raiders were involved in the league’s last head coaching trade, when they sent Jon Gruden to Tampa Bay (incidentally, Gruden, who has been linked to Oakland’s impending head coaching vacancy, is expected to remain an ESPN commentator for the foreseeable future).
  • The Dolphins are in the think of the AFC playoff race, but owner Stephen Ross‘ desire to have Harbaugh on his team’s sidelines has long been public knowledge. La Canfora notes that Ross is desperate “for a face-of-the-franchise to attract fan support” and “for a coach he can sell and try to add value to his franchise as he seeks a move to Los Angeles.” Citing unnamed sources, La Canfora writes that Ross’ desire for Harbaugh “cannot be understated.”
  • We learned last week that the Jets could be in the mix for Harbaugh, and while such a move would necessarily entail GM Jon Idzik‘s departure, Idzik looks to be on the outs in New York anyway.
  • Although Harbaugh is a logical candidate for the University of Michigan head coaching position, Harbaugh is reportedly not interested in that job. La Canfora writes that Harbaugh’s family has ties with outgoing Wolverines coach Brady Hoke and that Harbaugh is more interested in NFL opportunities.

 

NFC West Notes: RGIII, Harbaugh, Smith, Sam

December 3rd, 2014 at 6:16pm CST by Zachary Links

As the Rams get set to face Washington, St. Louis coach Jeff Fisher says that he would make 2012’s blockbuster draft trade with the Redskins all over again, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post.

“If you take into consideration I have three defensive starters that are playing at a real high level – Alec Ogletree is playing as good as any linebacker behind the ball the last few weeks, Janoris [Jenkins] is an outstanding corner who has two interceptions returned for touchdowns, and [defensive tackle Michael] Brockers. And then we were able to pick up [left tackle Greg Robinson], who is our future at left tackle, and we have Stedman Bailey, who in our last game had five catches for 100 yards, and Zac [Stacy] is an outstanding young back. So, I think we’ve made the most of it,” Fisher said on conference call. “We’re building our team to compete in the division and I feel like we’re making strides. That’s one of the questions we wanted to have this year.”

Washington, meanwhile, might feel differently about the haul it gave up to land Robert Griffin III. More from the NFC West..

  • There’s a chance that 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh ends up at Michigan, but right now his preference is to be in the NFL, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Harbaugh wants to focus only on football, Cole says, and not have to worry about things like boosters and showing his face at events.
  • When 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith signed a two-year extension in 2013, he was adamant that he would retire before becoming a part-time player. 18 months later, he’s showing no signs of slowing down, but he was noncommittal when asked if he’d return for his 15th NFL season. “I haven’t given it any thought,” he said, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “It will be something to think about after the season.”
  • Despite the way things might have looked in a recent TMZ video, former Rams draft pick Michael Sam says that he doesn’t believe that he’s being blackballed from the league, as he explained in a pair of tweets.
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