SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Jim Harbaugh walked through the locker room saying emotional goodbyes, offering a handshake or hug while wishing his players well and planning his long-anticipated but bittersweet departure from the San Francisco 49ers.He just didnt specify where exactly he is headed next, though it might wind up being one of footballs most poorly kept secrets. The hints were everywhere.Harbaugh would neither confirm nor deny that he is indeed about to accept the job at alma mater, Michigan, except to acknowledge he wouldnt be around come Monday.When asked specifically about taking over the Wolverines program, he said, There will be announcements made concerning those things.Harbaugh will not fulfil the final season of his $25 million, five-year contract coaching the 49ers that he signed in January 2011, reaching a mutual agreement with the team to part ways. The announcement came after Sundays 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals and following an 8-8 season in which San Francisco had hoped to establish some momentum in new $1.3 billion Levis Stadium.Its been the time of my life, Harbaugh said. Been a lot of great memories, great moments. ... Its been a tremendous four years, its been a pleasure to work and serve for this organization. I feel great about what we accomplished.Might he miss the NFL if he moves to Ann Arbor?Is the NFL going somewhere? Harbaugh quipped.Harbaugh and his players gathered for one final, familiar chant: Whos got it better than us? No-body!The last, Whos got it better than us? I said it as loud as I could, said wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who could soon follow the San Francisco coachs departure. I guess they say every good thing comes to an end.The unraveling of 2014 began months ago, almost a year back, really. San Francisco lost in the NFC championship game last January at Seattle, then watched the rival Seahawks go on to win it all. Shortly after, CEO Jed York acknowledged the Cleveland Browns inquired about trading for Harbaugh.The 49ers saw thousands of empty seats at most games this season. San Francisco was eliminated from playoff contention with a 17-7 loss at Seattle on Dec. 14, its second defeat to the rival Seahawks in an 18-day stretch.Harbaugh guided the 49ers to three straight NFC championship games and a Super Bowl near miss.Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions, York said. We thank Jim for bringing a tremendous competitive nature and a great passion for the game to the 49ers. He and his staff restored a winning culture that has been the standard for our franchise throughout its history.The 49ers came oh so close to their sixth Super Bowl championship after the 2012 season, losing 34-31 to Harbaughs big brother, John, and the Baltimore Ravens.Harbaugh had a 49-22-1 overall record in four years with San Francisco, which might look to promote from within to replace him. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsulas name has been mentioned.From his signature outfit of khaki pants and a black 49ers pullover to his signature phrases and motivational tactics, Harbaugh did things his way. And, largely, his way worked.But not this season, when star linebacker Patrick Willis was one of several key players to go down with injuries on what had been one of the NFLs stingiest defences.Its a business, running back Frank Gore said. I wish Coach Harbaugh the best. Hes a great coach. I like how he approached the game of football. My best years, they were with him as a team.Harbaughs future was in doubt all season after he didnt receive the contract extension York publicly said he hoped to work out. Neither side seemed particularly focused on doing so.Then, when the 49ers lost at home 19-3 on Thanksgiving night to Seattle, York turned to Twitter to express his discontent with the team — perhaps only a preview of a relationship that couldnt be repaired.He wrote: Thank you #49ersfaithful for coming out strong tonight. This performance wasnt acceptable. I apologize for that.Harbaugh pulled off a tremendous four-year turnaround at Stanford before doing the same for a 49ers franchise that had suffered an eight-year playoff drought.Im forever proud to have been a part of this, Harbaugh said. I feel we accomplished great things. Tremendous football.Harbaugh said all season he would not be fazed by the constant chatter about his fate, or by those outside the organization questioning whether he had lost the locker room.Some people hate you, some people love you, and most of those people dont even know you, he told The AP in October. You take it with a grain of salt, smile, and go about your business.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Fred Brazil Jersey .C. -- Steve Spurrier was much happier about South Carolinas improved performance than about his lastest career milestone. Marquinhos Brazil Jersey .Y. -- Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire will have less time to remain eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot under changes made Saturday. http://www.soccerbrazilonline.com/Thiago...rica-Jersey/.ca. Kerry, I hope you address Ron MacLeans comment during the second intermission of Game 4 in Montreal-Tampa series. Basically, he suggested that the NHL should not have used a referee from Quebec, following the Game 3 disputed non-goal, because the referee could be biased towards Montreal. Marcelo Grohe Jersey . FIFA said in a statement Friday that "several racist and discriminatory incidents were apparently perpetrated by local supporters during the match, in particular by displaying neo-Nazi banners and by making monkey noises and gestures as well as Nazi salutes. Alisson Brazil Jersey . Its been two seasons in one for both parties and neither will look back on the first 18 games fondly. "I think I took the fall for a lot of things," said Gay, reflecting on his short time in Toronto ahead of Wednesdays game against his former club.Milan Lucic is paying the price for his actions in Game 1 of the Boston Bruins first-round series against the Detroit Red Wings. The Bruins forward has been fined $5,000 by the National Hockey League for spearing Red Wings defenceman Danny DeKeyser in the groin. The incident ooccurred near the end of the second period of Game 1 while the game was still scoreless.dddddddddddd No penalty was assessed on the play. The Red Wings won Game 1 by a 1-0 score. Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday in Boston and can be seen live on TSN at 3pm et/Noon pt. ' ' '