It was reportedly a mutual parting, but according to Tim Kawakami, the 49ers let Harbaugh know his services were no longer needed a good two weeks before the season ended.
Let’s be clear: This process started as a firing. That’s the accurate way to describe the uncoupling of Harbaugh from the 49ers, though the 49ers press release said otherwise and Jed York has repeatedly insisted that the press release stated the truth.
After the 49ers’ Dec. 14 loss in Seattle, which mathematically eliminated them from the playoffs, 49ers management told Harbaugh that he could coach out the last two games but that he would be replaced in 2015.
From that point, Harbaugh had to decide quickly if he wanted to go to Michigan (which had been pursuing him for weeks), stay in the NFL or just sit out.
He chose Michigan, his alma mater.
None of this is dramatically different than what has always been known or suspected about the muddled final weeks of Harbaugh’s 49ers tenure… or what Harbaugh himself has said.
According to the report, Harbaugh was rushed because Michigan needed an answer and the coach didn’t want to go through a lengthy contract hassle with the 49ers.
The Niners agreed to make Harbaugh an immediate free agent, and Harbaugh agreed that he parted ways with San Francisco, instead of acknowledging his firing.