Joe Montana sees a future for Jim Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers.

The former 49ers quarterback went against the grain — and disagreed with his fellow Hall of Famer, Jerry Rice — this week by saying he thinks Harbaugh will remain San Francisco’s coach after this season.

There are increasing reports from the 49ers locker room that players are fed up with Harbaugh, who many in the locker room say treats them like college players. Rice shared this thoughts on the issue this week, saying at a charity event on Tuesday that he doesn’t imagine Harbaugh coaching past this season.

“I have heard some complaints from some players that he likes to try to coach with the collegiate mentality, and that’s just not going to work in the NFL,” Rice said, according to Newsday.

Rice expanded his thoughts on the NFL Network, saying that Harbaugh has lost control of the locker room.

“I think there might be a little disconnect between Jim Harbaugh and some of the players,” Rice said. “His approach to the game, not being willing to listen to those veteran players. Almost like it’s my way or you’re out the door.”

But Joe Montana disagrees. In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio, Montana said he doesn’t see the team letting it fall apart.

“Whether Jim moves on for another reason, I don’t know. If there is something going on, I would say he wouldn’t be back, that would be my guess,” Montana said.

“But if there isn’t, I don’t see any reason why. He’s got a great nucleus there. I’m not sure why you would want to leave a team like that, with as much talent that’s on there. I’m sure there are places he’d like to fill in. But it’s hard to leave a team you’ve coached for so long, you know well, you’ve got guys getting into position you’d want them to be.”

But Joe Montana also had a bit of advice for Jim Harbaugh. He said the team needs to let quarterback Colin Kaepernick loose more, allowing him to get out of the pocket and make plays with his legs.

[Image via Mercury News]