Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh jumps to NFL's 49ers

Stanford Coach Jim Harbaugh Joins NFL's San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback and successful Stanford coach, will replace Mike Singletary as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. According to ESPN, Harbaugh is expected to sign a five-year deal worth $25 million.

Details of the Hiring

Harbaugh's move to the NFL was confirmed by a source who spoke anonymously because the 49ers had not yet officially announced the hire. The team held a news conference in San Francisco but did not initially reveal the reason for it.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the 49ers' struggles—they have missed the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons—Harbaugh chose to take on the challenge. The franchise had a dismal 0-5 start to the current season, marking their worst since 1979, Bill Walsh’s first season as coach. That year began with seven straight losses leading to a 2-14 record.

Harbaugh’s Background and Inspiration

"Harbaugh long admired the late Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh, one of his mentors, and how Walsh made the successful leap from Stanford to the 49ers."

Notably, quarterback Andrew Luck, last season’s Orange Bowl MVP, chose to stay at Stanford another year instead of joining the 49ers.

Summary

Jim Harbaugh’s transition from college football to the NFL shows his ambition to restore the 49ers’ former glory and end their playoff drought.

Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?

more

KATU KATU — 2025-11-05

More News