Friday, January 07, 2011

Harbaugh hired - News conference highlights

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Here are the basics of the Jim Harbaugh news conference.

NERVOUS, SCARED, CONFIDENT?: Said he was comfortable and said he has unshakable confidence.

HOW MUCH FACTOR WAS MONEY: Said he didn't want to talk about money. Said the factor in being with the 49ers was that York and Baalke wanted him and that he's excited about that.

INFLUENCE OF BEING A QB ON HIRE: Baalke said he had the chance to go to Stanford practices and games and he admired the way Harbaugh related to his quarterbacks.

WHAT CHANCES BAALKE MAKE: Said he will hire a personnel guy and that there will be some changes in the scouting department.

WHAT HE THOUGHT OF LUCK DECISION: Told Luck to do the best for himself and his family. Supported his decision. Said he has taken a lot from him. "From his mouth has come some extraordinary things."

BAALKE'S TAKE ON MEETING: Said he was looking for the fit. Like the enthusiasm. Said he liked the passion. More than what he said, but how he came across. "He's a ball coach" Baalke said.

DETAILS OF THE MEETING WITH 49ers: Said Baalke was the driving force of the meeting. Said Jed was there to talk about his vision. Said they were cool cucumbers.

Said he talked to Andrew Luck and the Stanford players through text. Said he was going to be right down the road.

ON WHAT STANFORD DID TO WOO HIM: Reiterated that he just wanted the NFL shot.

ON PLAYING PETE CARROLL: Said he was just excited about tonight's work.

CHARACTERISTICS HE LOOKS FOR IN A QB: Accuracy, intelligence, decision-making. He said he could go on and on. Said it was more the most important position on the field and the most difficult position in sports.

QUARTERBACK QUESTION: Said he would talk to current players on the team first. Then check out the avenues to upgrade the position.

QUESTION ASKED ABOUT MOVING TO SANTA CLARA: "I don't know what you are talking about." Answered questions in football terms.

WHAT HE LEARNED THE LAST FEW DAYS: "If it's on the internet, it's true." His first joke. Said he did a lot of homework and made a lot of phone calls. After that, he knew the 49ers were the choice.

HOW HE FEELS ABOUT COACHING AGAINST HIS BROTHER NEXT YEAR: He has talked to John about it. Said John told him the game could be the Thursday kickoff game for the league.

JUMPING TO NFL DURING NO LABOR AGREEMENT: "We'll win at what we can win at each day." He said any obstacles he will overcome.

THE HIRING PROCESS: Baalke said he encouraged Harbaugh to take his time to make his decision.

WALSH INFLUENCE: Has a picture of him on his computer screen. Met him as a player and at Stanford. Can't put JH and Bill Walsh in the same sentence, Harbaugh said.

ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN GM AND COACH: The final say on roster will be with Baalke.

CAN HE OVERCOME COLLEGE COACH STIGMA: "I hope to be under estimated." - Harbaugh. Baalke said he had no doubt that Harbaugh would succeed.

WHEN HE MADE THE DECISION: Through his six-hour meeting with York and Baalke.

WEST COAST OFFENSE: "We will be installing the West Coast offense in San Francisco, the birthplace of the West Coast offense." - Harbaugh.

WHAT WERE LAST TWO DAYS LIKE: Hearing the vision from York and Baalke swayed him he said. "Losing is not an option."

COACHING STAFF, WHO WILL TAKE FROM STANFORD: Won't mention names until they sign contracts. Said will meld the two staffs, 49ers and Stanford.

WHY LEAVE STANFORD NOW: Perfect opportunity, at Stanford said they were signature years. Said he got married there and had two children. "The chance to compete at the highest level was overwhelming to me."

Harbaugh said his first task will be to call and meet with players.

Baalke said he has known Harbaugh for seven years. Met him at a college all-star game. He liked his energy.

Music accompanied the intro to Jed York and GM Trent Baalke to start the Harbaugh news conference.

-The 49ers set up a conference call with Jim Harbaugh's brother John at 4:45. John is the head coach of the Ravens.

-Ray Ratto said Harbaugh won some concessions on power over the roster and coaches. We'll see what they say in the press conference.

-Stanford and Giants broadcaster Dave Flemming turned out to be out right. He said on KNBR that he wanted to be in the NFL. Somehow, Flemming knew more than Harbaugh's brother John, who said he was going back to Stanford.

-Harbaugh apparently hired two agents, one to handle the pro side, David Dunn, and another Jack Bechta, on the college side, according to CSNBA's Mindi Bach. Read More 'Harbaugh hired - News conference highlights' »

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | Jan 07 at 04:06 PM

Listed Under: Coaches | Permalink

Updated with links: Harbaugh to 49ers

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Some useful links -- about the expected hiring, with a recap of the Harbaugh job-hunt circus and his time at Stanford. Plus, what's next at Stanford, in the wake of Harbaugh. And, a link to where CSNBA will stream video of the news conference.

Previously posted:

Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh is expected to agree to a five-year deal to become the 49ers' head coach, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting.

The 49ers haven't confirmed, but they are saying there is a press conference at 3:30 p.m. today.

As David White scrambles to the Jim Harbaugh news conference, Kevin Lynch will attempt to fill in the blanks. We'll also blog during and after the 49ers conference.

49ERS DESERVE CREDIT

The 49ers should be applauded for the patience and even their tactics in landing their top choice for head coach. When the Dolphins swooped in to offer $7 million or $8 million per, the 49ers refused to match that outlandish amount, despite President Jed York's insistence that money was no object. No first time NFL head coach without broad organizational powers should make the same as New England's Super Bowl-winning Bill Belichick (he makes $7.2 million a year).

However, stepping up to pay Harbaugh $25 million for five years for the man they wanted was absolutely reasonable.

-Ray Ratto said Harbaugh won some concessions on power over the roster and coaches. We'll see what they say in the press conference.

-Stanford and Giants broadcaster Dave Flemming turned out to be out right. He said on KNBR that he wanted to be in the NFL. Somehow, Flemming knew more than Harbaugh's brother John, who said he was going back to Stanford.

-Harbaugh apparently hired two agents, one to handle the pro side, David Dunn, and another Jack Bechta, on the college side, according to CSNBA's Mindi Bach.

Posted By: David White (Email, Twitter) | Jan 07 at 02:02 PM

Listed Under: Coaches | Permalink