Baalke officially named Niners' GM

Look for the 49ers' full-court press in pursuit of Jim Harbaugh to move into high gear following the official announcement Tuesday night that they have named Trent Baalke general manager.

"Trent has done an exceptional job in his role as Vice President of Player Personnel and throughout his tenure with the 49ers," 49ers president and chief executive officer Jed York said in an official release.  "I have had the benefit of watching Trent closely in the recent months and have been very impressed with his knowledge and leadership. I am confident that Trent will find the 49ers an excellent head coach who will lead us to great success in the coming years."

Baalke enters his seventh season with the 49ers and 14^th in the NFL. Over the last nine months, he has handled all of the 49ers' player acquisitions. His first order of business was to obtain WR-RS Ted Ginn Jr. from the Dolphins. After overseeing the 49ers' draft process for the first time, all eight of the team's 2010 selections made the active roster, including first-round OLs Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati, who each started every game on the offensive line last season. Baalke also played a role in extending the contracts of Pro Bowlers LB Patrick Willis and TE Vernon Davis and signing veteran RB Brian Westbrook.

"I would like to thank Jed York and the York family for this tremendous opportunity," said Baalke. "It is an honor to be named the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, a franchise with a history filled by some of the game's greatest players, coaches and executives. I look at this role as one of great responsibility — to not only the history of the franchise, but also to the 49ers Faithful. My entire focus is now dedicated to finding the next head coach of the 49ers."

The way we see it

Sources close to the scene are in agreement that Harbaugh, who appears destined to leave Stanford for another high-profile head-coaching post at either the pro or college level, is the Niners' first choice to replace the departed Mike Singletary. It could take a high price to land Harbaugh, but word is the Niners are ready to pay whatever the cost will be for a move that would go over big with the team's fan base.

 

Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/01/05/baalke-officially-named-niners-gm

Bobby Mitchell Paul Warfield Mike McCormack Frank Gatski Ozzie Newsome Joe DeLamielleure