Jim Harbaugh 49ers
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Jim Harbaugh talks with Colin Kaepernick before the 49ers game against the Cardinals on December 28, 2014.
Many San Francisco 49ers fans found themselves reminiscing on a bygone era when former Niners Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, now the Head Coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, came to town for the 49ers and Chargers preseason clash on Saturday August 23, 2025.
It gave Harbaugh an opportunity to look back on fond memories as well. In his postgame press conference, Harbaugh made it clear that he still treasures his time with the 49ers, despite the fact that he was essentially fired by the team back in 2014.
Harbaugh said he still has the game ball that Kassim Osgood gave him after his last game as the Head Coach of the 49ers back on December 28, 2014. The 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 that day.
Harbaugh also said that one of his favorite memories was the Niners’ last game in Candlestick Park, December 23, 2013 versus the Atlanta Falcons. Legendary linebacker NaVorro Bowman returned an interception for a touchdown to send the 49ers to the playoffs in that game, a legendary final moment for a legendary stadium.
“I was like a pig in slop, I was the happiest,” Harbaugh said about the Bowman interception. He couldn’t help but break into a big smile remembering that game.
Overall, it was clear that Harbaugh’s time with the 49ers meant a lot to him.
“A lot of top-10 type of things happened in my life here,” Harbaugh said.
“They were such good times. So good.”
Harbaugh Was A Very Successful 49ers Coach
Jim Harbaugh only had 4 seasons in San Francisco, but they were a wildly successful four seasons.
He made the conference championship or better in the first three seasons, leading the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens. Even his final season, a disappointing 8-8 campaign, was far better than what was to come for the 49ers.
The Niners had losing records in 5 of their next 6 seasons after Harbaugh left. It was clear he meant more to the franchise than 49ers brass gave him credit for.
His sparkling 44-19 record means 49ers fans have lots of positive memories of winning during his tenure. He wasn’t perfect – he moved on from Alex Smith in favor of Colin Kaepernick, for one thing.
But he brought positive vibes and high energy to the 49ers sideline. That, in addition to his signature wins at Candlestick Park, will not soon be forgotten.
Trey Lance Also Returned To San Francisco
It was also a homecoming of sorts for quarterback Trey Lance, though 49ers fans don’t exactly remember his tenure in San Francisco fondly.
Lance is arguably the worst draft pick in 49ers history, the kind of pick that sets franchises back tremendously. The 49ers were very fortunate to get Brock Purdy in the seventh round just one season later, or their trust in the inexperienced Lance may have kept them out of the playoffs for years.
Most Niners fans hold no ill will against Lance, and are wishing him the best. If Lance and Harbaugh have some success together, all the better.
As long as it’s not at the 49ers’ expense. So 49ers fans were relieved to see that Saturday didn’t exactly turn out to be a “revenge game” for Lance.
Lance completed only 5-of-8 passes for 38 yards and no touchdowns.
49ers fans, were you happy to get a glimpse of Jim Harbaugh back in San Francisco? How about Trey Lance?