Dear Mr. Jim Harbaugh,

My name is Jessica Jung and I’m from the Bay Area, California. You remember The Bay, right? The home of the San Francisco 49ers? The team you singlehandedly saved back in 2011 and brought to Super Bowl XLVII in 2012? Yeah, them. Well, with a 3-7 start this season, they’re not doing too well anymore.

You see, when you started coaching our team, you gave our city hope again. It had been a long while since we last saw an NFC Championship game, but you made it happen. And in that same year, we had a real shot at a sixth Super Bowl win. Our team was no longer struggling because you had turned them into true competitors. But a couple years later, you and the Niners parted ways… and everyone else decided it was time to leave too. Only six of the remaining starters from that Super Bowl remain this season: Colin Kaepernick, Joe Staley, Ahmad Brooks, NaVorro Bowman, Alex Boone, and Vernon Davis. But as of Week 11, only Joe Staley and NaVorro Bowman will don the red and gold as starters. Our team is crumbling (again), and it seems that you are responsible.

San Francisco was incredibly lucky to have you for those four years, Mr. Harbaugh. And as much as we’d all like to credit the players for the team’s accomplishments, it was really you who enabled our success. In no way am I trying to belittle the athletes’ hard work and talents, but you must admit that you were a hell of an asset to that team. I’m not sure how you do it, but no matter what type of team you coach—professional or college—you’ve always had the ability to rebuild the franchise and turn the team into winners. That’s an immense gift, and you’ve only continued to demonstrate your skills with Michigan’s football team.

I remember the day I heard you were no longer going to be coaching my home team, and instead, were thinking of following me back to Michigan to coach my hoMe team—your hoMe team. It was a bittersweet moment for me. I wasn’t really sure how to feel because I knew that once you left, San Francisco would undoubtedly be affected by your absence. You made such an impression on our city. But eventually, I realized that if there was one team to leave the Niners for, it’d be Michigan’s.

Once you stepped on campus, everything changed. You didn’t skip a beat. You got right to work, recruiting for this current season and getting involved in campus life. You were sure to let other schools and coaches know you weren’t here to mess around; you came here to foster great athletes, build a strong football program, and show others what it truly means to be the leaders and the best.

So although the Niners will never be the same without you, welcome hoMe, Mr. Harbaugh. Thank you for exceeding all of our expectations and reviving our football team. You’ve given us a first season far more successful than we ever could’ve imagined. Thank you for instilling hope back into our team and our school, and for turning Michigan’s football program back into a force to be reckoned with. Here’s to many more years of success.

Forever Go Blue.

P.S. Keep rockin’ those khakis.