49ers Owner Jed York Will Discuss Future With Jim Harbaugh After Season, Hopes Coach Has ‘Utmost Leverage’ for Extension

Jim Harbaugh‘s name has been dragged through the rumor mill over the last few days, raising questions about his future with the 49ers.

Harbaugh has been linked to the likely opening at the University of Texas since Mack Brown‘s resignation was first reported on Tuesday evening. Since then, Harbaugh has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the opening, along with Alabama coach Nick Saban, Stanford’s David Shaw and a number of others.

The speculation has to be somewhat discomforting for the 49ers, who are in the midst of yet another playoff race. So, on Thursday, 49ers owner Jed York finally spoke out about the rumors surrounding Harbaugh, expressing his admiration for the coach and even saying that he hopes Harbaugh has the leverage when the two sides discuss his future this offseason, according to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News.

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Harbaugh is in the third year of a five-year, $25 million contract he signed back in 2011. Although, he reportedly turned down a two-year extension with the team during the offseason.

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