As the University of Texas does, or doesn’t, search for a new head coach, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh doesn’t seem to be interested.
“Are you trying to be funny?” Harbaugh said when asked by reporters about the possibility of a jump to the NCAA on Thursday, via Steve Corkran of the Bay Area News Group.
That remark from Harbaugh didn’t make it into the official transcript circulated by the team. This one did: “I don’t ever talk about any jobs other than the one I have.”
He’ll have his current job through at least 2015. NFL coaching contracts typically aren’t as easily escaped as college contracts, unless the coach negotiates the ability to walk away whenever he wants, like Nick Saban did eight years ago in Miami.
Texas isn’t the first high-profile college program to potentially be interested in Jim Harbaugh. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, USC recently made a run at Harbaugh, who “flat out rejected” the overture.
It’s unknown whether A.D. Pat Haden responded by saying, “What’s your deal?”
Harbaugh’s deal is that he’ll likely get a new deal from the 49ers after this season. And if Texas pays Nick Saban or someone else $10 million per year, Harbaugh could be in line for a big raise.