Michigan Contacted 49ers About Jim Harbaugh, Trent Baalke Confirms

Rumors surrounding the future of San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh have been circulating for several weeks. On Monday, the team's general manager, Trent Baalke, confirmed that Michigan was in contact with the franchise regarding Harbaugh.    

Baalke spoke Monday night on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, via BCSN.tv, saying, “I think the University of Michigan, in reaching out, did handle it correctly. As I look at it, it's very simple. He's the head football coach of the San Francisco 49ers.”

Baalke's comments lend even more credibility to the rumors that have surrounded the Wolverines making a pitch for Harbaugh to take over for the fired Brady Hoke as the program's head coach. Harbaugh’s alma mater is reportedly offering him a six-year, $48 million contract, according to NFL Network, via Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News.

Harbaugh has one season remaining on his five-year, $25 million deal with San Francisco. He has amassed a 43-19-1 record in the regular season and a 5-3 postseason record in his time with the team.

According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the 49ers are expected to fire Harbaugh immediately after the season. The result will be one of the brightest coaching minds in football hitting the open market.

ESPN's John Clayton told 95.7 The Game that the Oakland Raiders are also an option for Harbaugh:

On ESPN's NFL Insiders, Adam Schefter claimed Harbaugh is reportedly leaning toward taking the Michigan job, per Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press.

Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports weighed in on Michigan's pursuit of Harbaugh:

Michigan finished the 2014 season with a 5-7 overall record and was a non-factor in the Big Ten. While staying in the NFL will be a viable option for the highly competitive coach, the intrigue of rebuilding his former school’s football program could be too tempting to pass on.

Regardless of where he lands, it has become abundantly clear that Harbaugh’s time in San Francisco is coming to an end.