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Harbaugh Gone, 49ers Hunt For New Head Coach

Published

11 years ago

January 3, 2015

Santa Clara – The inaugural season was upstaged by the departure of head coach Jim Harbaugh, a losing season and a struggling offense. The 49ers couldn’t have asked for a better drama filled season that began with arrests, rape charges and dismissals. Aldon Smith was arrested over the summer, Colin Kaepernick was accused of rape and Ray McDonald found himself out of a job after being investigated for another assault case.

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Aldon Smith served his time, Kaepernick was exonerated and another team will pick McDonald next year. But for Harbaugh, no one saw that coming. He accepted a head coaching job that will net him in a class of highest paid college coaches. The University of Michigan’s timing was perfect. At the helm of Owner Jed York, Harbaugh didn’t make the Super Bowl so it was tie to move on.

“We compete for and win Super Bowls,” said York. “That’s our only goal. We don’t raise division championship banners. We don’t raise NFC Championship banners. We raise Super Bowl banners. And whenever we don’t deliver that, I hope you will hold me directly responsible and accountable for it.”

In his four years as head coach, Harbaugh led the 49ers to two NFC Championships and the Super Bowl. How is this not enough for a team that hadn’t made it to the playoffs since 2002. Every players dream is to win a Super Bowl but when reality sets in, it’s only a few teams who get that opportunity. Three consecutive years of making it to the playoffs is an accomplishment.

San Francisco has begun their search for a new coach, in the meantime players are in limbo. Hard to believe the 49ers thought this process through because they have no idea who that person will be. Some guys are at the end of their contracts, DT Justin Smith is said to be thinking about retiring and RB Frank Gore is uncertain that the team will bring him back.

“It’s a business,” Gore said. “I wish Coach Harbaugh the best. He’s a great coach. My best years, they were with him as a team. He was here and we won. I still love the game and I can still play. I feel great. I want to play again, I want to play next year.”

Many fans wonder why the sudden need for a new head coach and not a new Offensive Coordinator. The 49ers host the 2016 Super Bowl next year. Was this something both the owner and GM talked about in their decision to part ways with Harbaugh? There wasn’t one player that express to having Harbaugh back next season.

“I’m going to miss him [Harbaugh],” said OL Aaron Lynch. “He did a really good job here but it was one season where it didn’t all come together.”

“Harbaugh taught us to always fight no matter what,” RB Carlos Hyde said. “My rookie year here reminds me of my freshmen year in college. I didn’t play that much, then I got injured and lost our coach. It all happened again this year.”

Harbaugh kept it classy in the end as best as he could. He avoided questions pertaining to the assumed rift between he, York and GM Trent Baalke. While everyone assumed he wanted out early in the season, it appeared to have been a situation with senior management that led to his dismissal. While the players explained they understand it’s a business many would’ve have preferred to keep their head coach.

“We had philosophical discussions and when we sat down, we just couldn’t come to a place where we thought moving together was the best for either party,” said York. It was a conversation that took place over a decent amount of time to figure out what’s best for everybody involved.”

“This isn’t a rebuild situation, this is a reload situation,” Baalke said.

The changes that were made last offseason were supposed to be the cherry on top to a perfect offense. What happens now? A new head coach can change that. But Baalke reiterated that any new changes to the team will go through him not the next head coach. He certainly has his hands full in the upcoming months not only with finding a new coach but keeping the roster in tact as well as making changes to improve the offense.

Right now there are no front runners in becoming the 49ers new head coach. Baalke who was promoted to GM in 2011 did a good job with putting a good team together thus far but this offseason might be his biggest challenge yet. Though it appears to be a simple solution to York and Baalke it looks as though San Francisco will be starting from scratch to get this team back to playoff contention.

“I’m the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers until they tell me different,” said Colin Kaepernick. “Looking forward to finding out who they’re going to bring in and what we’re going to be working on. But, as far as me, I’m going to continue to work.”

“We played for it every year,” Harbaugh said in regarding the Lombardi Trophy. “That’s the way we looked at it every time we took the field. Been a tremendous thrill. One of the great thrills of my life. Be forever proud of what we accomplished.”

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Related Topics:Jed York Jim Harbaugh Trent Baalke

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

7 days ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

2 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.