It's not often that a .702 career winning percentage elicits weekly reports about a coach's demise, but such is life when that coach's name is Jim Harbaugh. If you're seeking evidence for how polarizing Harbaugh is, you'll note that in the eight seasons before his arrival (2003-10), the San Francisco 49ers won a total of 46 games. Including playoffs, in fewer than four full seasons, Harbaugh has won 48 games.
Yet, with the Niners at 7-7 this season and dissension and division within the organization, it still seems certain there will be a new head coach in 2015.
So what were the Niners' issues this season, and what will the presumed new coach need to do to take advantage in 2015 of what is still a very strong roster?
1. Help Colin Kaepernick get his head on straight
A friend of mine asked me this week, "If you could have Colin Kaepernick or Derek Carr to start a franchise, which one would you choose?" The fact that I had to think about it, with Carr ranked 39th of 40 in our quarterback rankings at Pro Football Focus, gives you an idea of just how significant Kaepernick's decline has been.