Harbaugh has not said no to Michigan. On the contrary-

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If you never believed a word we said before, believe this: Jim Harbaugh has not said 'No' to Michigan, as some have reported. We promise. And he remains a very viable candidate to replace Brady Hoke, perhaps even the favorite.

There is next to no chance he returns to San Francisco next year, which would have been the biggest obstacle. It's flat out toxic there right now. The Harbaughs love their home there (though if he makes enough money he could always have two homes, right?), but a change of scenery is all but inevitable.

Oakland: we've said all along that would be a stretch based on ownership, etc., and the roster. That's still true. Harbaugh would have to agree to a trade, and if anyone thinks he's going to be on board with that, well -

He's going to go out on his terms, and if that means it ends with the 49ers firing him, so be it.

Michigan is very much in play. You won't hear a peep out of Harbaugh right now, since he's focused on the task at hand and doesn't want any distraction. He's coaching his team, and he's trying to get to the playoffs (and beyond). There are others working this (in good hands - trust us), and the discussions have been fruitful. The significant ones started immediately after Brady Hoke was fired, as they should have - the Harbaugh family would never have allowed anything to interfere with Hoke's tenure at U-M, having great respect for him.

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