49ers, Dolphins, Broncos, Michigan All Looking At Harbaugh
STANFORD (CBS Sports) -- The Jim Harbaugh sweepstakes keeps getting upped by the hour -- first there were the reports that the NFL's Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos were working the hard sell, then came word that the University of Michigan fired Rich Rodriguez.
And finally, there was Tuesday's report from Comcast Sports Net Bay Area that the San Francisco 49ers would be willing to give Harbaugh "significant personnel power" if he came to be their head coach.
"They are willing to give Harbaugh significant personnel power," a source told CSNBA.
Harbaugh plans to decide later this week whether he wants to take a job in the NFL. If he stays in college coaching, it appeared he would probably stay at Stanford, where he has built a potential powerhouse.
The Detroit Free-Press reported that a source "with direct knowledge of Harbaugh's thinking" told the newspaper that the Orange Bowl champion coach was "highly unlikely" to accept an offer to become the new Michigan head man.
Harbaugh is a former quarterback at Michigan, which fired Rodriguez Tuesday after another lackluster season and his team's embarrassing 52-14 loss in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day.
Meantime, former Stanford great John Elway was on the sidelines Monday night at the Orange Bowl rooting for his college team but obviously wanting a shot at Harbaugh. Elway is set to become the Broncos vice president of football operations.
The NFL Network also reported that the Dolphins "had contact with Harbaugh" while the Stanford coach was in Florida for the Orange Bowl.
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