Watch CBS News

Harbaugh Won't Speculate About What's Next For Him

JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Jim Harbaugh has kept quiet about the speculation surrounding his future for nearly a year.

So he has no plans to participate now as he begins what could be his final week coaching the San Francisco 49ers.

He wouldn't say whether 49ers executives had come to him to let him know if his alma mater, the University of Michigan, reached out about bringing the coach to Ann Arbor.

"What will happen will happen, what won't happen won't happen," Harbaugh said Monday. "Like the players, like the coaches, we're dedicated to doing our job, finish what you start. That's the mindset."

Harbaugh, who will turn 51 on Tuesday, has lost four straight games for the first time in his four-year stint. He has one year remaining on the $25 million, five-year contract he signed in January 2011 to leave Stanford for the 49ers (7-8). San Francisco finishes its disappointing first season at $1.3 billion Levi's Stadium on Sunday hosting Arizona.

"Let's hug our families and go get a win here," he said. "It's not fun when you lose. That's a heartbreaking thing."

Harbaugh is doing his best to keep it all in perspective after the Niners reached each of the last three NFC championship games and lost the Super Bowl following the 2012 season.

"I am so proud to report to you that I have the best wife, Sarah Harbaugh, and six wonderful children," Harbaugh said. "And I'm proud to report that my future will always be bright with the family that I have."

Fox Sports reported that the 49ers and Harbaugh would cut ties within 24-48 hours after the season ends Sunday.

"Well, as you know, I have not participated in the speculation, the unnamed sources or rumors, or asked you to have Jay Glazer go back and ask his source for more clarification," Harbaugh said. "I haven't participated and I don't intend to.

"This has been a good 12 months of this kind of thing. No reason to start right now."

Harbaugh's not the only one who could be in his final week with the franchise. There's running back Frank Gore, perhaps the most notable.

"Again, not to speculate. Definitely, we know this is going to be the last week of the season and I'm going to enjoy it," Harbaugh said. "I'm going to enjoy all the players, enjoy the coaches, enjoy the staff, enjoy all the people in the building that I really love and enjoy being around: the trainers, front office people, our entire organization, spend some time with the scouts here in town. Just everybody, enjoy it."

When asked whether he has been tempted to publicly stand up for himself, Harbaugh said:

"It's a very good question. The high road's the only road I know. Let's keep on that way."

NOTES: Second-year S Eric Reid, who sustained a concussion in Saturday's loss, is scheduled to see the neurologist Tuesday. Reid suffered two concussions during his rookie 2013 season. "Well, we'll leave this in the hands of the doctors. But, concerned, yes," Harbaugh said. ... CB Perrish Cox injured the AC joint in a shoulder after making an interception. Harbaugh said it's "very possible" San Francisco will have to make roster moves to get through the game given at least 10 players are dealing with injuries.

___

Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

 

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.