Online report says 49ers staffers believe coach Jim Harbaugh going to Michigan (w/video)

Two unnamed 49ers staff members and a third NFL source told BleacherReport.com pro football writer Jason Cole that they expect 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh to accept the six-year, $48 million contract offer to become head coach at the University of Michigan.

“That’s what everybody on staff believes is going to happen,” one of the sources told Cole. “Jim has figured out that his style is best-suited for the college game. His schtick works better with young guys who are gone after three or four years.”

Michigan, which is Harbaugh’s alma mater, has been searching a replacement for Brad Hoke and reportedly has dispatched a team of university officials and representatives of their search firm to the Bay Area this weekend to try to complete an agreement with Harbaugh.

The BleacherReport.com story also said Harbaugh is expected to take several 49ers assistants with him to Ann Arbor, including longtime assistants Reggie Davis and John Morton. Davis coaches the offensive line this season after three years working with tight ends. Morton is in his fourth year coaching the wide receivers.

Cole’s story indicated Harbaugh might still entertain overtures from NFL teams, including the Raiders and others. Citing sources, Cole reported that Harbaugh initially had strong reservations against returning to the college ranks because he disliked the demands of recruiting and the dealing with alumni, that he preferred to remain an NFL coach. But his questions about the opportunities that might be available to him in the NFL, the story said, shifted his attention more favorably in Michigan’s direction.

Harbaugh, 51, began his career as a head coach at the University of San Diego in 2004. He coached there for three seasons, compiling a 29-6 record before moving to Stanford in 2007. His Cardinal teams were 29-21 in his four seasons there.

With the 49ers, Harbaugh broke an eight-year playoff drought for the 49ers and led the team to the conference championship game each of his first three seasons - and to the Super Bowl after the 2012 campaign. That streak ended this season with a four-game losing streak that eliminated the 49ers from playoff contention before today’s finale against Arizona. He has a 43-19-1 regular-season record with the 49ers, 48-22-1 overall. Harbaugh’s 13-3 team his first season ended an eight-year playoff drought for the 49ers.