Sources: Jim Harbaugh Chooses the NFL and Will Become the Coach of The 49ers

The speculation is over: Harbaugh is staying in California, but not as the head coach of the Stanford Cardinal.

ESPN is reporting that Jim Harbaugh will become the new coach for the San Francisco 49ers. The contract is a reported five year deal worth $25 million dollars.

The 49ers will get a good draft pick this season with the seventh spot and already have a strong nucleus of players. The winner in the division this year had a record of 7-9, so Harbaugh has a chance to be very successful right from the start and becoming the odds on favorite to win the NFC West.

It is also reported that Miami Dolphins DID NOT offer Harbaugh a big money contract and that his only choice was the San Francisco 49ers because he wanted to stay on the West Coast. The 49ers seem to be one quarterback away from advancing to the post season and becoming a true super bowl contender.

With the seven spot in the NFL draft, the 49ers will have a choice of a variety of talented signal callers. There is a good possibility, depending on who is drafted in front of them, that they could have their choice of Cam Newton, Ryan Mallett, Blaine Gabbert or Jake Locker.

The winners in this deal are Jim Harbaugh, who is getting paid like he is the best coach in the NFL, although he has yet to coach a game. The San Francisco 49ers are also clear winners in the signing because they get the hottest available coach on the market and begin to rebuild a tarnished image. The losers in this deal outnumber the winners.

The Miami Dolphins led the teams that end up losing from this deal. They look horrible for courting Harbaugh while they still had a coach and attempting to sign Tony Sparano to an extension now.

The Michigan Wolverines and Denver Broncos follow suit as losers, given they had no chance of bringing in Harabugh yet still got the fans excited about the possibility.

In the end, the San Francisco 49ers got their man and Jim Harbaugh will start the season as the head coach.

Only time will tell if it is the right move.

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail].