Jim Harbaugh Fight Proves Why 49ers Made the Right Coaching Choice

When the San Francisco 49ers hired Jim Harbaugh to be their head coach in January, there was an excitement level not seen in the bay area since the end of the Steve Young era. The anticipation has proved to be right, especially in light of what happened between him and Lions head coach Jim Schwartz on Sunday. 

In case you haven't heard—and if you haven't, you probably live under a rock—the two coaches got into a heated exchange because Schwartz, who is no stranger to boisterous over-celebrating, felt that Harbaugh disrespected him when the two met for a handshake. 

Some have said that Harbaugh shoved Schwartz. If you have seen the video, there was no shove. He hits him on the back, but it's no different than when players slap each other after a good play. 

This kind of emotion and fire from a head coach is something that the 49ers have not had since Steve Mariucci was leading the team. Dennis Erickson, Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary were much more introverted with the way they coached. 

There has not been a spark of any kind within the 49ers organization in nearly 10 years, and it has been almost that long since the team made the playoffs. 

Some people find Harbaugh cocky, arrogant and conceited, but name one great coach in any sport that doesn't have that kind of personality. 

We have heard about the potential for the 49ers for the last three years, but they never lived up to the hype. The only significant change that the team made in the offseason was hiring Harbaugh; now they are 5-1 and the biggest surprise in the NFL. 

This team has taken on the attitude of Harbaugh. They believe that they can beat anyone they play right now, regardless of who it is. They want to be thought of the way that they used to be in the 1980s and 90s, when they were the best organization in the NFL. 

It is going to take time before the 49ers get back to that level, but Harbaugh is without a doubt the coach to get them there. His fire and passion in the heat of the moment against the Lions and subsequent spat with Schwartz is proof positive of that.