January 7, 2011, the day Jim Harbaugh was hired to be the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Three years ago today, no one could have forseen the immediate transformation that would occur within the 49er organization. No one, not even those who hired Harbaught, could have anticipated how successful he would be. As if it were yesterday, I remember the exact moment I heard the news of his hiring.
It was a Friday, myself and my fellow Marine Reservists were starting a three day drill weekend. While sitting on a Bluebird Bus, packed like sardines, awaiting departure for another pointless field opp, an ESPN app broke the news. From the front of the bus, my friend Matt Sollars yelled, "Hey Tony, the Niners got Harbaugh!" There it was. A collective cheer was had amongst the Niner fans on the bus. Little did we know, it would turn out to be the single most meaningful moment for the 49ers in ten years. A sudden burst of elation came upon me. Was this it? Would Jim Harbaugh be the coach to return the 49ers from the dark depths of insignificance? We once thought it was Mike Nolan, then we thought it was the firey Mike Singletary, but they turned out to be pretenders. Little more than usurpers who hijacked the sideline of our once proud franchise. Well, Jim Harbaugh is no pretender. He didn't just make the Niners respectable or slightly better than .500. He didn't make them a second rate, out in the first round playoff team. Jim Harbaugh returned the San Francisco 49ers to the forefront of NFL discussion. He has molded them into a perennial NFC powerhouse and Super Bowl contender. He has done more in three seasons than anyone anticipated.
Who would have thought the 49ers had such incredible success looming in their immediate future? Two division titles, four playoff victories, two NFC title games, the Super Bowl. Jim Harbaugh means absolutely everything to this franchise. Without him, none of those achievements happen. Even if they lose in Carolina this Sunday, who could truly be upset? Disappointed, yes, but not upset. Jim Harbaugh has returned the 49ers from the dungeon that was once the bottom of the NFC West. He has lead the team to the promised land. All 49er fans owe him thanks. From now on, I will celebrate January 7 as, "Jim Harbaugh Day".
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