Jim Harbaugh is not openly denying the rumors of him being a candidate for Texas for a reason.
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News has been reporting on what he calls “creative tensions” between coach Jim Harbaugh and G.M. Trent Baalke.
Harbaugh is set to get a new deal in the off-season, and sources say that he’s hoping his success will turn into more control over the team.
Harbaugh doesn’t have control over who gets signed — he has a great deal of influence, but he’s not in charge of the 49ers’ roster.
That contracted power belongs to Baalke, and it’s the way CEO Jed York wants it. (And Harbaugh, I’m told, never asked for it during the January 2011 negotiations to join the 49ers.)
And yes, when Harbaugh sits down with York to talk about a new contract this offseason, I would guess that he will ask for more input in such personnel matters.
No doubt, Baalke should and probably does seek Harbaugh’s opinion, mostly relating to the 49ers offense and especially the quarterback position.
Baalke and Harbaugh have agreed on many things since January 2011, and they have built this 49ers team into a model franchise that is bristling with talent.