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Harbaugh wants a medal for lasting 4 years with 49ers

Kyle Terada / USA TODAY Sports

It may have been more than a disagreement with an official that had Jim Harbaugh in such a foul mood through his four-year tenure as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Now that Harbaugh has found more success and happiness as Michigan's head coach, he’s opening up about his time with the 49ers, which he did Thursday during Mercury News’ Tim Kawakami's podcast. Harbaugh was humble about his 44-19-1 record with the 49ers, but hinted the current ownership team, led by Jed York, made things more difficult than necessary.

"I think we did set a record for coaching there the longest under the present ownership," Harbaugh said, according to KNBR. "I take pride in that. Maybe there should be an endurance medal, a courage medal, for that."

Since York took over as team president in 2008, the 49ers have seen five head coaches, with only two lasting more than one season.

Harbaugh admitted he hasn't spoke to York since leaving the 49ers and declined to make any further comments about the CEO's failures.

"I’m not in the mood to pile on," Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh also praised new 49ers general manager John Lynch despite the former safety's total lack of front-office experience.

"I would love to work for John Lynch," Harbaugh said. "When they were going through the process of the hiring, he didn’t want his name mentioned. I don’t know if a lot of people noticed that but I think that’s a profound thing. That speaks volumes for who he is as a person."

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