As it turns out, Jim Harbaugh was Trent Baalke’s second choice to be the 49ers head coach in 2011.

His first choice: Bill Parcells.

Baalke was hired as the 49ers general manager on Jan. 4, 2011, and given the authority by CEO Jed York to hire the head coach. At some point before the 49ers hired Harbaugh on Jan. 7, Baalke approached Parcells about the opening.

That revelation is part of Parcells’ recently released authorized biography, “Parcells: A Football Life,” written by Nunyo Demasio.

At the time, Parcells was 69 and four years removed from his last head-coaching job with the Cowboys. Baalke began his career as a scout with the Jets in 1998 when Parcells was the head coach. Baalke has termed Parcells one of the biggest influences on his career and he still consults with him on personnel matters.

From the book:

“After Baalke secured the job, he quietly tried to lure his first choice for head coach: Bill Parcells. York and Baalke emphasized that although the club had missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons, it contained a talented roster. The 49ers saw Parcells, even at sixty-nine and having been away from the sideline since the 2006 season, as someone who would lead the franchise to the playoffs for at least a couple seasons while sharing Baalke’s vision. But citing his age and the team’s distance from his home base (Jupiter, Fla.), Parcells put an end to any serious discussions. The 49ers turned their attention to the Stanford head coach on so many wish lists.”

Nearly four years later, Harbaugh could, again, be a on a series of wish lists if the 49ers don’t retain him after the season. If so, Baalke’s first choice likely won’t be Parcells, whose age (73) and Florida locale presumably remain deal-breakers.

Parcells, who was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, did receive interest in 2012 to lead a team on a temporary basis, but he declined the offer. Saints coach Sean Payton asked Parcells if he would fill the team’s vacancy before Payton served a one-season suspension.

Twitter: @Eric_Branch