

Jim Harbaugh likely won’t be coaching the 49ers much longer. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

At some point early next week, Jim Harbaugh is likely to be relieved of his duties as coach of the San Francisco 49ers. It’s a firing that seems inevitable, even to his brother on the East Coast.

Baltimore Ravens Coach John Harbaugh, the guy who beat his brother and the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, didn’t address the topic head-on, but he didn’t really have to.

“I know just from Jim’s standpoint, he’s done something there that’s been absolutely historic and amazing,” John Harbaugh told CSN Baltimore. “It’s never been really accomplished in the history of football before, in terms of what he’s done for the city and for the fans there and for the players there. And I’m proud as heck of him. Whatever’s next for him, he’ll do a great job there, whatever it is.

“He’ll be fired up and excited to do it, so I’m proud of him no matter what happens. I think they had a great coach there for the last four years, and they were blessed and fortunate to have him. I know the fans realize that and the players realize that, and that’s really what counts.”

Jim Harbaugh hasn’t been fired yet and he’s already been linked to rumors about where he’ll work next. Will it be at Michigan, which reportedly is ready to break the bank to hire him? Across the Bay in Oakland, where the Raiders are expected to part with interim coach Tony Sparano? In Chicago, where the Bears are likely to fire Marc Trestman and Jay Cutler is in sore need of a QB whisperer? ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a Michigan alum, reports that “the pendulum is swinging a little bit to Michigan.”

On Monday, the day after his team gacked away a 21-point lead and lost 38-35 to the San Diego Chargers in overtime, Jim Harbaugh was giving away nothing and he sounded almost sanguine about whatever is next. (Cue Doris Day singing, “Que Sera, Sera.”)

“What will happen, will happen,” he said. “And what won’t happen, won’t happen. I work at the pleasure of the organization and I will let them have the floor on that.”