Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers: New Sheriff of the Wild, Wild NFC West

The San Francisco 49ers finally got their man, landing arguably the most coveted free agent coach on the market.

Jim Harbaugh signed a five-year, $25 million deal with San Francisco on January 7. This was clearly the best decision for Harbaugh.

After quarterback Andrew Luck decided to return to Stanford for his redshirt junior year, there was speculation that Harbaugh might remain with his superstar as they aim together for a BCS National Championship. The two put together an impressive 2010 season, which concluded with a great Orange Bowl victory.

Harbaugh made the only choice to make despite Luck staying in school. Harbaugh had to look past the 2011 season. Is the potential there for Harbaugh to coach Luck and his Stanford squad to an undefeated season and possible BCS National Championship? Yes. But what happens when Luck leaves for the NFL immediately following the season? Where does Harbaugh go from there?

Harbaugh made the right choice leaving the potential behind him and venturing to the “Major League” with the NFL. Even better, Harbaugh signed with the best possible situation in the NFL at the moment.

The NFC West is easily the worst division in football.

The 49ers somehow even had a chance to win the division with a 5-9 record heading into Week 15 against then division leader St. Louis Rams.

In his return season to the NFL, Pete Carroll managed to take the Seattle Seahawks to the top of the NFC West division and into the playoffs with a 7-9 losing record.

The 49ers finished the season 6-10, one lousy game out of a division title.

San Francisco was a popular preseason pick to the win the NFC West. Some even predicted them to win the NFC and contend for a Super Bowl.

The team got off to a horrific 2-6 start but still was able to slightly regroup late in the season and make a run at the division.

Harbaugh joins an underachieving team that is ready to make the leap to the next level. There is a ton of talent already on this San Francisco squad. Even better, Harbaugh and the 49ers possess the No. 7 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

The only move for Harbaugh to make with the No. 7 overall selection is which quarterback to take. Neither Alex Smith nor Troy Smith is a quality starting quarterback at this point in their careers for the 49ers. San Francisco needs to cut both of these quarterbacks lose or at the very least, just Alex Smith. Troy Smith is a fine backup, but they need to let him know he will not be in the running for the starting gig anymore.

Harbaugh needs to immediately draft his franchise quarterback.

Although his quarterback decided to stay at Stanford, this is still a fantastic quarterback class. If one, or even two, of the top quarterbacks are selected, Harbaugh can still take his pick from the litter essentially.

Ryan Mallett, Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker and Cam Newton all appear to be can’t-miss players. Newton may need more time to develop than the other three as he is not the traditional pocket-passing quarterback, but his immense athleticism and ability will surely make up for that in the pros.

As of now, I have Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers selecting Blaine Gabbert in my latest first round mock for April’s NFL draft.

Blaine Gabbert is the quintessential NFL franchise quarterback. Gabbert has the size, intelligence, vision, accuracy and arm strength to compete in this league. He is the missing link for this San Francisco offense.

The 49ers are loaded on offense. This is why Harbaugh made such a great choice to accept the 49ers head coach position.

The 49ers have a solid offensive line. More importantly, they have a workhorse running back in Frank Gore is the definition of a dual-threat, do-it-all back in this league. Gore has great vision, power, speed and receiving ability. He would serve as a clutch for whichever rookie quarterback Harbaugh puts out there on opening day.

Even better though, Gore does not have to be the one heavily relied on. The 49ers also boast arguably the most physically gifted tight end in the league in Vernon Davis, who has excellent speed, size, strength, leaping ability and hands at the tight end position. Davis will serve as the true clutch for Gabbert, or perhaps Ryan Mallett, who would be my other suggestion to Harbaugh at this point.

Finally on offense, whichever rookie quarterback lines up behind center to signal the calls will get to work with “non-Diva” Michael Crabtree. Although Crabtree could use the offseason to mature a bit, he is a truly gifted receiver. Crabtree runs very good routes and can create great separation from opposing quarterbacks. He has good vision and excellent hands.

Crabtree, in his third season, will be looked at as one of the premier players to have a breakout season. With a quarterback as gifted as Gabbert or Mallett to work with, he will be able to do just that. Crabtree is an excellent playmaker who has very good ball-hawking skills. He finds the ball at its highest point and will go up to make the grab. He also has great body control and footwork and will form an excellent duo with his rookie quarterback.

On defense, Harbaugh has arguably the greatest defensive asset in the league in linebacker Patrick Willis, who might just be the best playmaker this league has on defense. His IQ, vision, strength, power and sideline-to-sideline speed is remarkable. Willis will shape this defense up quickly for next season.

The 49ers have the pieces to compete for a Super Bowl. Harbaugh now has high draft picks to work with in order to build them up to that level as soon as this season.

The NFC West is wide open to be taken. The Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams or Seattle Seahawks are prepared to take this division and run with it. However, the San Francisco 49ers have the pieces to dominate this division as well as the entire NFC. The team needs more discipline and a simple change in philosophy. Jim Harbaugh will bring his college success and motivate this team to reach its full potential.

It’s going to be an exciting 2011 offseason for 49ers nation, but the true fun will be during the 2011 season, when Jim Harbaugh brings the 49ers back to title contention.