By Shelby Hancock |Staff Writer|

San Fransisco 49ers former head coach Jim Harbaugh admits, it wasn’t mutual.

Dec. 27, 2014, just one day after the end of their season, the 49ers and head coach Harbaugh part ways.

“Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions,” said 49er’s owner Jed York.

On Feb. 13, 2015, Harbaugh expressed his feelings towards the separation. 

“I was told I wouldn’t be coach anymore, you can call it mutual, I mean, I wasn’t going to put the 49ers in a position to have a coach that they didn’t want any more,” said Harbaugh.

“I didn’t leave the 49ers. I felt like the 49er hierarchy left me,” said Harbaugh.

The team hadn’t advanced to the Conference Championship game since 1997, according to RantSports.com reporter Seth Lassen.

From 2003-2010, the 49ers failed to make a playoff appearance, according to the NFL.

The team failed to make it to the Conference Championship game since 1997.

Harbaugh started with the 49ers in 2011, and achieved three consecutive NFC championship games.

In his first season coaching, the 49ers Harbaugh ended the season 13-3, according to the NFL.

In 2012, he went 11-4, in 2013 he went 12-4, and in 2014 he went 8-8, according to the NFL.

“Following four seasons and a combined winning percentage near 70 percent, Harbaugh was more successful than the majority of head coaches who get a chance in the NFL,” said SB Nation reporter James Brady.

This brought hope and faith to the 49ers fans.

“After his immediate success and revival of a once-dominant franchise, Harbaugh became a massively popular figure amongst 49ers fans,” said Lassen.

Many fans and 49er players are confused as to the firing of Harbaugh.

“Their owner blatantly lied repeatedly about firing an immensely successful head coach and what has transpired on the months since has turned the franchise into the laughing stock of the NFL,” said Lassen.

Even players know what kind of coach Harbaugh is.

“He’s a player’s coach and I always say that because I think he puts us first before he makes any decision, and he cares, that’s that makes him a great coach, that he’s all in,” said 49ers Linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

Not only did Harbaugh bring unity to the fans, he also brought the team together.

“He knows how to motivate people and how to get people to go out and execute for each other every day,” said 49er’s Quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Leaving 49ers fans confused and upset, according to Lassen, many are curious who will take Harbaugh’s place as head coach of the 49ers.

Many sources say that the 49er franchise has narrowed it down to a few candidates; Jim Tomsula, current 49ers defensive line coach being at the top of that list.

“Jim Tomsula is a favorite of the ownership and has been with the team since 2007,” according to SB Nation reporter James Brady.

Tumulus became a favorite in his one-game debut, he was in charge because head defensive coach Mike Singletary was fired.

Since then, the franchise kept Tomsula around for the building of Harbaugh’s coaching staff, according to Brady.

Whoever fills the position after Jim Harbaugh will have big shoes to fill.