SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh is departing the 49ers to coach his alma mater, the University of Michigan, CSN Bay Area’s Dave Feldman reported Saturday night.

Harbaugh will be introduced Tuesday in Ann Arbor, Michigan, according to Feldman, a Palo Alto High classmate of Harbaugh’s before the latter left to play quarterback at Michigan under Bo Schembechler from 1983-86.

Harbaugh did not respond to a text message from this newspaper seeking comment.

It is unclear if Harbaugh will finish out his 49ers tenure by coaching Sunday’s season finale against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Harbaugh’s contract runs through next season. Jim Tomsula served as the interim coach for the 2010 finale in place of the fired Mike Singletary, and Tomsula has remained on staff as the defensive line coach.

Harbaugh “did not spill the beans” to his players Saturday night, one of them said anonymously when reached via text message.

Right tackle Anthony Davis on Friday said “everybody” was anticipating Harbaugh’s departure, and Davis expressed his gratitude on Twitter at about 9:45 p.m. Saturday.

“I just looked Harbaugh in his eyes and thanked him for leading us to some of the best times of our lives. Give Respect when it’s due. … I wish him the best on his next Coaching Job. If you google it you’ll see where that will be.”

Earlier Saturday, Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole cited multiple sources — including two, anonymous 49ers assistants — who expected Harbaugh to accept Michigan’s six-year, $48 million offer.

“That’s what everybody on staff believes is going to happen this week,” a source said in the Bleacher Report article. “Jim has figured out that his style is best-suited for the college game. His shtick works better with young guys who are gone after three or four years.”

While with the 49ers, Harbaugh’s regular-season winning percentage (.697; 43-19-1) ranks fourth-best among those who’ve coached in the Super Bowl era, behind only John Madden (.763), Vince Lombardi (.738) and George Allen (.712).

Harbaugh’s reign with the 49ers has included two NFC West titles, three NFC Championship games, a Super Bowl berth and an overall record of 48-22-1.

Despite such early success, Harbaugh and 49ers CEO Jed York could not agree on a raise nor extend his contract beyond 2015. Contract talks were tabled before this season, which both sides agreed to be a boom-or-bust year for a franchise that now hasn’t won a Super Bowl in 20 years.

Rumored conflicts with York and general manager Trent Baalke apparently paved Harbaugh’s exit, as York even acknowledged before the season that such tension existed and that it could be a positive.

When Harbaugh agreed to a deal (five years, $25 million) to leave Stanford after the 2010 season, he joined a 49ers franchise in an eight-year playoff drought under former coaches Dennis Erickson, Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary.

Tomsula and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio are thought to be the 49ers’ top in-house candidates to replace Harbaugh. The 49ers’ hiring process must also include an interview with a minority candidate to satisfy the league’s “Rooney Rule.”

Before joining the 49ers, Harbaugh spent his first seven years as a head coach in the college ranks, first at the University of San Diego (2004-06) and then at Stanford (2007-10).

Harbaugh enjoyed a 15-year NFL playing career and broke into coaching in 2002 and 2003 as a Raiders offensive assistant.

For more on the 49ers, see Cam Inman’s Hot Read blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/CamInman.