Multiple people at Michigan and in the Jim Harbaugh camp believe the former San Francisco 49ers coach will wind up as the Wolverines' next head coach, as many have reported, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Michigan has been telling its incoming recruits that it plans to have a head coach by the middle of the week, sources added.
Harbaugh and the Niners parted ways on Sunday via a mutual decision between the coach and the team.
Multiple people also insist that Harbaugh has no deal or agreement with Michigan at this time, even though Michigan officials are now in the Bay area, waiting to meet with the man they want to hire as quickly as possible. Michigan officials believe they will be taking Harbaugh and his wife to Ann Arbor with them on Monday, sources told Schefter.
According to ESPN sources and multiple reports, some Michigan officials have indicated that the school would be introducing its new coach Tuesday at a press conference and at the 3 p.m. basketball game with Illinois.
Harbaugh has also called multiple assistant coaches to gauge their interest in joining him at Michigan, sources tell ESPN's John Clayton.
The Oakland Raiders also are expected to make what one source described as "a concerted effort" to see whether they can keep Harbaugh in the Bay area, and they will use the idea that the team is projected to be about $50 million under the salary cap next season as a drawing card, in addition to a serious offer they are prepared to make. Signs continue to point to Michigan, but NFL teams are going to have their say.
Other teams such as the Jets and Bears could also make pitches.
With speculation that Harbaugh will be announced as coach at Michigan, asking prices for tickets for the basketball game at Michigan vs Illinois have skyrocketed.
A week ago, fans could have bought a ticket to the game for $15. The cheapest price on stubhub as of 10:20 pm on Sunday night for the game? $129.89.
The 49ers finished 8-8 this season and out of the playoff field after three straight trips to the NFC title game and a Super Bowl appearance.
Harbaugh didn't tell his players he was leaving Saturday night, a source told the San Francisco Chronicle, but he did express his appreciation for their support during the 49ers' tumultuous season.
In return, right tackle Anthony Davis showed his appreciation for Harbaugh on Twitter.
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.
— Bam Davis (@AnthonyDavis76) December 28, 201449ers CEO Jed York was asked before Sunday's game by a group of beat writers if he had a sec to talk. "Nope," he said as he walked off with a reporter from the league-owned NFL Network.
Harbaugh and York met briefly at midfield during warmups and it appeared as though a demonstrative York was doing most of the talking. The session ended with a handshake and quick hug.
Harbaugh was met with loud cheers by the crowd.
Players awarded Harbaugh a game ball and gave him a Gatorade bath once the outcome of Sunday's contest was decided.
As a Harbaugh replacement, there are a few names the 49ers could come calling on, including Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase -- and they have ties to all three.
Quinn and Gase each served as quality control coaches for the 49ers, Quinn under former San Francisco head coaches Steve Mariucci and Jim Mora, and Gase under former 49ers coach Mike Nolan.
McDaniels has interviewed for the 49ers head-coaching job in the past.
ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez and Darren Rovell contributed to this report.