Offseason Winners and Losers: The 49ers Look Like the Biggest Winners

Another day, another coaching surprise.

This time it has been announced Les Miles will not be Michigan's next head coach. 

Now who will Michigan turn to with almost all big name coaches off the board?

With an offseason full of coaching changes in both the college and professional game, which teams have been the winners, and which teams have been the losers?

Winner: San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 07: Jim Harbaugh speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the new San Francisco 49ers head coach at the Palace Hotel on January 7, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers wanted Jim Harbaugh.

They got him, and at a discounted price too.

There were no shenanigans, no rampant rumors, etc.

The 49ers came across looking classy and did the deal quickly.

Loser: Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Coach Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 17-14. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Miami Dolphins came across looking unethical and immoral after their strange pursuit of Jim Harbaugh while Tony Sparano was still employed.

Had the Dolphins hired Harbaugh they were looking at a $500,000 fine from the NFL as well as possibly losing draft picks for violating the "Rooney Rule."

It turned out to be a public relations nightmare for owner Stephen Ross. In the end the Dolphins signed Tony Sparano to an extension. Huh?

Loser: Michigan Wolverines

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State University Tigers reacts to a field goal during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo b

The top two targets for Michigan have been lost.

Jim Harbaugh and Les Miles were assumed to be the favorite for the Michigan job, but turns out neither is interested.

Michigan may have began too narrow when they began their search, but now it sure to broaden. They need a coach so they can get back to working on their recruiting class.

Loser: Stanford Cardinal

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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Chris Petersen (L) and quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos hold up a trophy as they celebrate their 26-3 victory over the Utah Utes in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2

First Jim Harbaugh left, which wasn't really a surprise, but undoubtedly a big hit to a program on the rise.

Andrew Luck decided to stay, which was nice, but this is about coaches.

In their search for a new coach Stanford made it clear that their favorite was Boise State coach was Chris Petersen. However, Petersen was uninterested in the job and now Stanford must begin searching for another coach.

Winner: Dallas Cowboys

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys watches from the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated

Jerry Jones fired Wade Phillips in the middle of the season to give Jason Garrett a tryout.

Garrett passed with flying colors.

He turned around a dismal Dallas Cowboys team and went 5-3 after a 1-7 start to the season.

The Cowboys made the right decision in keeping Garrett. 

Loser: Miami Hurricanes

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CORAL GABLES, FL - DECEMBER 13: Former Temple University football coach Al Golden, 41, speaks to the media after being introduced as the new head coach at the University of Miami on December 13, 2010 in Coral Gables, Florida. Golden is replacing Randy

I had a tough time chalking this one up as a win or loss. 

I like Al Golden. I think he was a good hire. But, it was how the Hurricanes got there that was embarrassing. 

First, they told everyone there was intense interest on both parts with Jon Gruden. Then Gruden practically apologized for not being interested in the job. Oops.

Then their athletic director said Nebraska coach Bo Pelini was interested in the job as well. The Miami newspaper ran huge headlines about Pelini being a candidate.

Except he wasn't. Oops again.

Finally they settled on Temple coach Al Golden. Which would have been fine had they just started with him instead of making a media mess of it.

Winner: Florida Gators

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GAINESVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 14: Former defensive coordinator for the University of Texas, Will Muschamp speaks to the media after being introduced as the head coach of the University of Florida on December 14, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. Muschamp is re

I'm not convinced Will Muschamp is the perfect fit for Florida, but only time will tell.

I do know this.

The Gators lost Urban Meyer. Instead of going after a big name coach like so many big universities do, they quietly hired an accomplished assistant coach. 

The Dolphins and Hurricanes could learn something from their neighbor here.

Loser: Pittsburgh Panthers

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SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Todd Graham of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane watches as his team takes on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Tulsa defeated Notre Dame 28-27. (Photo by Jonat

The Panthers are on their third coach of the season.

How does that happen? 

Well the guy you hire to replace your last coach gets charged with domestic violence and you have to fire him. Yikes.

You can't really blame the Panthers for what happened, obviously there was no way of knowing that Mike Haywood would hit a woman.

But they should have just hired Todd Graham, the former Tulsa coach, in the first place.