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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services Sheriff's deputies arrest two after pursuit on Table Rock Road Judge dismisses four of Ron Kramer's claims against SOU OSF's 'Great Society' up for Kennedy Prize OSF taking applications for Green Show Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Sheriff's deputies arrest two after pursuit on Table Rock Road Laser strike on jet entering Medford delays flight Emergency services VIDEO: Wrap Up, week of Jan. 2 Politics and Elections Councilman stirs online dust-up with anti-marijuana post State certifies recount showing failure of GMO-labeling measure Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change Education Ashland schools to implement chickenpox precautions Traveling artist sets the stage for Ruch School amphitheater Ruch school class focuses on the natural environment Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Logos may offer students 'fifth year' at RCC or SOU Environment Monument expansion expected to increase tourism, protect resources Biologist resigns over LNG reporting failure Bird flu discovered in Winston backyard flock Jackson County holds back on enforcing GMO ban for now No fish, no funding for problem dams State News Oregon fans get married Rose Bowl parking lot Earthquake off coast shakes Humboldt County Stranded sea turtle recovers at Oregon aquarium Oregon minimum wage rises to $9.25 Storm brings snow, cold to West Nation - World Obama makes Maduro’s ‘insolent Yankees’ line harder to sell Obituaries Dianne Sarvis Marri Young-Wellbaum Severta Shipley Death Notices Jeannine Gardiner Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable In memoriam: 2014’s notable deaths Looking back: Do you remember 2014’s biggest stories? 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Laser strike on jet entering Medford delays flight ... Ashland schools to implement chickenpox precautions ... Sheriff's deputies arrest two after pursuit on Table Rock Road ... Laser strike on jet entering Medford delays flight ... Ashland schools to implement chickenpox precautions ... NFL Harbaugh, 49ers agree to part ways Coach vague on speculation he'll soon take Michigan job Comment By Janie McCauley The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Janie McCauley The Associated Press Posted Dec. 28, 2014 @ 8:37 pm By Janie McCauley The Associated Press Posted Dec. 28, 2014 @ 8:37 pm » Social News SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jim Harbaugh gathered his players and told them he is leaving, and they joined their voices 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. Harbaugh will not fulfill the final season of his $25 million, five-year contract coaching the 49ers that he signed in January 2011, reaching a mutual agreement with the team to part ways. The announcement came after Sunday's 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals and following a 8-8 season in which San Francisco had hoped to establish some momentum in new $1.3 billion Levi's Stadium. "It's been the time of my life," Harbaugh said. "Been a lot of great memories, great moments. ... It's been a tremendous four years, it's been a pleasure to work and serve for this organization. I feel great about what we accomplished." Harbaugh wouldn't say whether he is indeed about to accept the job at alma mater, Michigan, except to offer vague hints and say he wouldn't be around come Monday. When asked specifically about taking over the Wolverines program, he said, "There will be announcements made concerning those things." Might he miss the NFL if he moves to Ann Arbor? "Is the NFL going somewhere?" Harbaugh quipped. The unraveling of 2014 began months ago, almost a year back, really. San Francisco lost in the NFC championship game last January at Seattle, then watched the rival Seahawks go on to win it all. Shortly after, CEO Jed York acknowledged the Cleveland Browns inquired about trading for Harbaugh. The 49ers saw thousands of empty seats at most games this season. San Francisco was eliminated from playoff contention with a 17-7 loss at Seattle on Dec. 14, its second defeat to the rival Seahawks in an 18-day stretch. Harbaugh guided the 49ers to three straight NFC championship games and had a Super Bowl-or-bust mentality for this season that quickly turned sour. "Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions," York said. "We thank Jim for bringing a tremendous competitive nature and a great passion for the game to the 49ers. He and his staff restored a winning culture that has been the standard for our franchise throughout its history." The 49ers came oh so close to their sixth Super Bowl championship after the 2012 season, losing 34-31 to Harbaugh's big brother, John, and the Baltimore Ravens. Harbaugh had a 49-22-1 overall record in four years with San Francisco, which might look to promote from within to replace him. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula's name has been mentioned. From his signature outfit of khaki pants and a black 49ers pullover to his signature phrases and motivational tactics, Harbaugh did things his way. And, largely, his way worked. But not this season, when star linebacker Patrick Willis was one of several key players to go down with injuries on what had been one of the NFL's stingiest defenses. "It's a business," running back Frank Gore said. "I wish Coach Harbaugh the best. He's a great coach. I like how he approached the game of football. My best years, they were with him as a team." Harbaugh's future was in doubt all season after he didn't receive the contract extension York publicly said he hoped to work out. Neither side seemed particularly focused on doing so. Then, when the 49ers lost at home 19-3 on Thanksgiving night to Seattle, York turned to Twitter to express his discontent with the team — perhaps only a preview of a relationship that couldn't be repaired. He wrote: "Thank you #49ersfaithful for coming out strong tonight. This performance wasn't acceptable. I apologize for that." Harbaugh pulled off a tremendous four-year turnaround at Stanford before doing the same for a 49ers franchise that had suffered an eight-year playoff drought. "I'm forever proud to have been a part of this," Harbaugh said. "I feel we accomplished great things. Tremendous football." There was some thought York believed he could trade Harbaugh this time and receive a first-round draft pick. Nobody expected Harbaugh to agree to such a swap that would hamper a potential new team. Harbaugh said all season he would not be fazed by the constant chatter about his fate, or by those outside the organization questioning whether he had lost the locker room. "Some people hate you, some people love you, and most of those people don't even know you," he told The AP in October. "You take it with a grain of salt, smile, and go about your business." By Janie McCauley The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Janie McCauley The Associated Press Posted Dec. 28, 2014 @ 8:37 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Fantasy Football Daily League Guide to Wild Card Sunday Jan. 3, 2015 at 7:15 am Potseason Superlatives for Fantasy Season Jan. 2, 2015 at 11:07 am Stat Predictions for Fantasy Stars in Cards vs. Panthers Jan. 2, 2015 at 9:00 am Stat Predictions for Fantasy Stars in Ravens-Steelers Jan. 2, 2015 at 9:00 am Studs, Duds for Fantasy Football in Playoffs Jan. 2, 2015 at 8:00 am Daily Fantasy League Guide to Playoff Saturday Jan. 2, 2015 at 7:53 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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