Jim Harbaugh has worked and won his way into a situation that he can never recreate if he coaches another three lifetimes.
There are no road blocks for Harbaugh as he reaches an intersecting point of accomplishment and opportunity.
As Harbaugh mulls his future fresh off Stanford's 40-12 victory over Virginia Tech in Monday night's Orange Bowl, there are no bad choices facing him.
He can remain at Stanford as head coach, jump to the NFL or wait for a potential offer from the University of Michigan, where he played quarterback in the 1980s. Michigan could pull the plug on the Rich Rodriguez era as early as Wednesday.
My opinion: Harbaugh should create as much leverage as possible and take a pro job.
Coaching in the pros is where the action is, and Harbaugh knows that well from playing quarterback in the NFL for 14 seasons.
Harbaugh's success makes him a hot coaching commodity, and he is sure to get an offer, with the 49ers and Broncos among the teams looking for new head coaches and a resurgence of energy in their franchises.
Whichever direction Harbaugh's heartstrings tug him in, a golden career path lies ahead, with one slight ripple.
And it's just that
