Jim Harbaugh Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation on Coach's Future with 49ers

Updates from Monday, Oct. 6

Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group spoke to San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York about head coach Jim Harbaugh and his status with the franchise:

Original Text

Jim Harbaugh apparently will not be back with the San Francisco 49ers in 2015. No Super Bowl or Brink's truck full of money will change that.

At least, that's the situation facing the 49ers head coach according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer. Citing the Fox broadcast, Josh Katzowitz of CBSSports.com noted that Glazer claims Harbaugh will not return to San Francisco regardless of what happens for the remainder of 2014.    

Jed York, CEO of the 49ers, commented on the rumors via his Twitter account:

Harbaugh, 50, is in his fourth season with the 49ers. His original five-year contract is due to expire after the 2015 season, though it is likely neither the franchise nor Harbaugh will want to see himself go into that campaign as a so-called lame duck.

Despite resurrecting the 49ers and leading them to three straight NFC Championship Games (and one Super Bowl appearance), speculation has been swirling about the coach's future for some time. The Cleveland Browns offered multiple draft picks and nearly had a deal in place to trade for Harbaugh last offseason, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

While those negotiations eventually fell through, it has not stopped rumors of friction behind the scenes. NFL Network's Deion Sanders, who has close ties with wide receiver Michael Crabtree, indicated there is an ongoing rift between the coach and some of his players.

“I really want to know if they’re really playing for the head coach. I got a question with that. Are you really down with your head coach, San Francisco 49ers?" Sanders said, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. "Because the way it looks and what I’m hearing, you’re really not down for your head coach. And that’s a problem."

Harbaugh swiftly dismissed Sanders' comments as conjecture.

"Personally, I think that's a bunch of a crap," Harbaugh told reporters at his Monday press conference, via CBSSports.com's Will Brinson.

Paul Sakuma/Associated Press

The 49ers are 2-2 heading into Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Harbaugh has a 38-13-1 record overall. He is looking to become the first coach in franchise history to lead the team to four straight conference championship games.  

As for where Harbaugh could head if he indeed does leave, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network points out a move across the bay might not be so far-fetched: 

The Raiders already fired head coach Dennis Allen after a Week 4 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

It is also possible that Harbaugh moves back to the college game, where he had success at Stanford before taking the 49ers job. Harbaugh's alma mater, Michigan, may be in the market for a coach if it moves on from the embattled Brady Hoke. ESPN Insider's Travis Haney (subscription required) also opened up the possibility of the University of Kansas due to his wife's close ties to the area.

It's going to be an interesting couple of months at 49ers headquarters to say the least.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter