49ers decade in review: Ranking the 15 most infamous moments

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 19: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tips the ball up in the air as outside linebacker Malcolm Smith #53 catches it to clinch the victory for the Seahawks against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2014 NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

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Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers and CEO Jed York (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers “Mutually” Part Ways

While the mass exodus of players from the 49ers in 2015 was a terrible, forgetful moment in franchise history during the decade, the beginning of the year was ultimately highlighted by the decision for Jim Harbaugh and the franchise to “mutually” part ways.

Harbaugh later told his side of the story to then-San Jose Mercury News insider Tim Kawakami in a podcast where the former head coach felt the writing was already on the wall, and felt the mutual part was more about not being wanted by the Niners, so therefore not wanting to be there in return.

Semantics.

Either way, the crumbling that was the 2014 season signaled the end of an area that was easily one of the most successful stretches in 49ers history, albeit a relatively brief one.

Harbaugh would go on to coach at his alma mater, the University of Michigan, while the Niners would enter a two-year stretch of coaches Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly, who combined for a mere seven wins during that time frame.