Jim Harbaugh leaves Stanford to coach 49ers

All week, Jim Harbaugh had a good feeling about making the jump to the NFL and joining the San Francisco 49ers — just the way mentor and late Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh did more than 30 years ago. Declaring it a “perfect competitive opportunity,’’ Harbaugh accepted the job as coach of the 49ers yesterday and said his goal is to win a Lombardi Trophy for “one of the legendary franchises in all of football.The successful Stanford coach receives a five-year deal and gets to remain right at home in the Bay Area after four years with the Cardinal. A longtime NFL quarterback, he replaces fired coach Mike Singletary. ESPN reported Harbaugh’s deal is for $25 million. I can feel the enthusiasm coursing through my veins right now, said Harbaugh. “I accept this competitive challenge willingly.While Harbaugh, 47, said he had all but made up his mind to accept the 49ers offer following a meeting of more than six hours that went into Wednesday evening, he took a couple of days to hear out his other suitors and do hishomework.

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