SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh didn’t mind waiting for a few minutes.
As the former 49ers coach rolled into the auditorium at Levi’s Stadium before Sunday’s contest against the Kansas City Chiefs and 2012 team reunion, Joe Montana was holding court with reporters. Harbaugh eventually shook hands and caught up with the 49ers legend before talking to the media about his first trip back to Santa Clara since 2015.
Though Harbaugh and the franchise didn’t have the prettiest breakup, he still looks back fondly on his tenure with the 49ers. Harbaugh said he got a chance to catch up with former players like Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith, Joe Staley and Brian Jennings on Sunday.
“Incredible. Just really happy,” Harbaugh said. “So many people from the organization are still here. Just amazing. Just an attitude of gratitude for Jed and the York family having us all back here. And we must have been pretty good, right? They don’t bring teams back unless they were pretty good.”
Harbaugh coached with the Niners from 2011-14, leading the team to three straight NFC title games and a Super Bowl appearance before parting ways with the franchise following an 8-8 finish in his final season.
Harbaugh once said he disagreed with the characterization that the end of his 49ers tenure was a ”mutual decision” but it sounds like a non-issue in 2022.
“It was the time of my life, those four years,” Harbaugh said.
The 2012 reunion was part of the franchise’s annual alumni weekend festivities, as stars from all eras were in the house. Montana said he was happy to see Harbaugh back, as he also addressed the team on Saturday evening.
“He is a character, by far,” Montana said. “He actually recruited our younger son when he was at Stanford. I’ve known Jim over the years. Great coach. He’s doing a great job at Michigan. It’s fun to watch him flourish. It was a little tough to see him go (from the 49ers), because he had success quickly, but we all move on, eventually.”
Harbaugh is in the midst of his eighth season as the head coach for his alma mater Michigan and has led the Wolverines to a 7-0 record and No. 4 ranking in the AP Top 25 this season. He showed up Sunday decked out in Michigan gear and didn’t put much weight into the fact it took him seven years to return to Santa Clara.
“Right when I left, I thanked the York family for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to be here,” Harbaugh said. “When things don’t work out in your favor or you don’t perceive they work out in your favor, I’ve always had an attitude, ‘Don’t get bitter, get better.’ That’s what I strive to do.”
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