Baalke first met Harbaugh several years ago at the Las Vegas All Star Classic. “It was a much smaller smaller show than the Senior Bowl,” Baalke said, “with a lower level of competion. And Jim was the head coach on one of the sides. It was clear the team that was opposite Jim had much superior talent and I remember going out and watching him and the energy he had on the field. A lot of times those games are taken for granted. But Jim really embraced the challenge and got that team ready to play and they played an outstanding game and that’s when he got on my radar. From that point on is when I started following his career.”

Harbaugh’s team won that game.

“He sees football much like I see football.”

“What Jim has done on the offensive side speaks for itself.”

Re: Harbaugh talking to other teams: “For me it was to make sure he made the right decision. In terms of waiting I was prepared to move on. If Jim decided this wasn’t the right job for him I wasn’t going to wait and feel sorry for myself and the 49er Faithful. We were going on to Plan B. It was very important for me to give him the space, to give him the time to make the right decision. I don’t think you win in negotiations when you pressure people. You present a fair offer and you let him make a decision. That’s what we did. We never set a timeline.”

“It was never about money for Jim. It was about finding the right fit.”