Michigan celebrates Harbaugh's arrival, SF sheds a tear

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Jim Harbaugh is now the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Monday evening, he arrived in Michigan, where he's apparently signed up to become the new coach of his alma mater.

College football fans are celebrating in Michigan, while 49ers fans drown their sorrows in the Bay Area. Currently, there is no 49ers head coach replacement in sight.

On Sunday the 49ers players gave Harbaugh the game ball for his final victory as the 49ers coach. The players liked him, fans loved him, so why didn't the front office? ABC7 News investigates that question.

On Monday, the 49ers said they want their next head coach to represent the team with class and to be a great teacher. Was that a slam against Harbaugh or a new direction going forward? We may never know the real reason why they parted company.

"We expect to win the Super Bowl every year. That is our goal," 49ers owner Jed York said.

Harbaugh failed to achieve that goal this season, but fans remain puzzled what else led to his departure.

"I don't understand the inside politics and all that, but being a fan and the success Harbaugh's brought to the 49ers, I don't understand why this is going on," San Jose resident Steve Mann said.

We may never find out because of a cone of silence.

"I don't think it's fair to Jim to reveal the conversations that he and I have had behind closed doors that we said would stay behind closed doors," York said.

However, it's the criteria for a new coach that seems to suggest Harbaugh's shortcomings. York and Baalke said they want another Bill Walsh, someone who is a great teacher. Candidates must be able to mentor players and the coaches.

"They have very good command of the game of football and can teach it at a lot of different levels and a lot of different positions, so that's what you're looking for moving forward, is an individual that can do those things, not only amongst players but among his own coaches as well," 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke said.

York said Walsh also helped what York called "choir boy" players whose personal lives didn't live up to front office expectations and values. York used Ray McDonald as an example of what needs to be addressed.

One fan who showed up at Levi's Stadium to get player autographs thought the 49ers took too long to part ways with Harbaugh.

49ers fan Gus Apostolidis used an example from the corporate world about a woman who was let go. He said, "She was an amazing worker, did her job, made the company a lot of money, you know, a crude oil trader. They got rid of her because of that fact. She just didn't get along with anybody. She was a cancer in the room, and that's what happened here in July. That's what happened from last season and they should have gotten rid of him then."

Harbaugh and his players gathered for one final, familiar chant: "Who's got it better than us? No-body!"

"The last, 'Who's got it better than us?' I said it as loud as I could," said wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who could soon follow the San Francisco coach's departure. "I guess they say every good thing comes to an end."

Colin Kaepernick took to Instagram and posted, "The coach that drafted me, chose to start me, and stood behind me through it all! I will never forget what you have done for me coach thank you for everything!"

ABC7 Sports anchor and former 49er Mike Shumann weighs in on Harbaugh's deal with Michigan.

The ink on that contract is drying as we speak. Shumann says, "If you offered me a six-year deal for $48 million, I would sign too!"

Harbaugh is going home, he played at Michigan, his dad coached there and Bo Schembechler is his mentor and idol. And as you can imagine the city of Ann Arbor is beside themselves.

49er players cleaned out there lockers Monday after an 8-8 season and it's always tough struggling like they did and then losing their head coach for the past four years on top of that.

York and Baalke started their search for a new head coach and I think this team is still close to reaching the Super Bowl and if they want some continuity, they would consider hiring in house with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

The sentiment was the same with this current group of players.

49ers linebacker Navorro Bowman said, "I would like to see Vic Fangio here, you know, and whether that's head coach or D.C. We've just built so much, there's a lot of chemistry there with the guys who have been here for four years, with them and I just think that's a great thing that we have and we don't want to lose that."

Now, I think Harbaugh decided his style of coaching is better suited for the college game where he has total control of his personnel staff and the way he approaches the game.

Monday Night Football and ESPN announcer Mike Tirico, who lives in Ann Arbor, told ABC7 Sports on Monday Harbaugh is just what the doctor ordered for the school and city. He said, "It lights up the city the way it has not been lit up for football in probably the last six or seven years. They want one of their own. They're very visceral in that way. And Harbaugh, because it's 'local boy makes good and comes back home to save the kingdom' it's as big a story as that has happened there since I've been around."

Jed York said the search will be ongoing for the next seven to 10 days and unfortunately several candidates are in the playoffs, so it may take some time if they don't hire in house.

When Harbaugh landed in Michigan, a six-car caravan took him and his family to a hotel. This picture from the "Michigan Daily" shows Harbaugh arriving with his son in his arms.

The University of Michigan has the most wins in college football history and fans are ready for Harbaugh to bring the maize and blue back to prominence.

"It was a little bit unknown at first, and then as it became more real, it became exciting," said one Michigan fan.

"To know that he's here now is putting a fire in this place like you've never seen," said another Michigan fan.

A news conference is scheduled in Ann Arbor on Tuesday at 9 a.m. PT, after which, Harbaugh will reportedly be introduced at a University of Michigan basketball game. Tickets to that game, which were selling for $14 last week, are now going for $120 and $1,000 for courtside seats.

Fans are being asked to wear Khakis to the game. Dockers is offering Harbaugh's favorite style for 42 percent off.

ABC7 News will be streaming the press conference live online.