49ers GM confirms that Michigan has reached out about Jim Harbaugh

As the speculation linking 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh to the opening at Michigan continues to swirl, San Francisco’s general manager Trent Baalke confirmed on Monday that the school has reached out to the organization about Harbaugh.

Harbaugh, a former Michigan quarterback, has been viewed as a candidate to succeed Brady Hoke for months. With the NFL season approaching its end, it could finally come to fruition with Harbaugh’s job status being addressed following San Francisco’s season finale against Arizona on Sunday.

"I don't know that it's been offered to him. I don't know that it's been offered at all," Baalke said, per TheWolverine.com. "I haven't seen a report that the contract has been handed to him and he's mulling it over. I think the University of Michigan, in reaching out, did handle it correctly.

“As I look at it, guys, it's very simple – he's the head football coach of the San Francisco 49ers. You read a lot of speculation. We heard the same thing about Texas and USC and others making overtures. He's a good football coach. Anytime there's a good opportunity like the University of Michigan or the University of Texas, they do that. That's expected. You'd rather have somebody coveted than somebody who's not."

Harbaugh has one season remaining on his contract with the 49ers, but his relationship with the organization has reportedly gone south over the course of the season.

Michigan reportedly offered Harbaugh a six-year, $48 million contract. He has also been linked to the Oakland Raiders. If there’s one thing we do know, Michigan really wants Harbaugh to be their man.

For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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