Harbaugh lands with Niners; Broncos overtures fall on deaf ears

Jim Harbaugh, the former Stanford Cardinals coach, who is, without question, the hottest coaching candidate of the NFL’s 2011 off-season, decided to stay close to home when he chose to leave Palo Alto’s campus for the rolling hills of San Francisco. On the afternoon of Jan. 7, Harbaugh made his intentions official, signing a 5-year, $25 million contract with the 49ers.

Jed York, president and CEO of the 49ers, got a bit of his credibility back with Harbaugh’s signing. After making repeated statements during the season that the 49ers would win the NFC West, York was seemingly ready…