Trent Baalke's first choice as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 reportedly was Bill Parcells and not Jim Harbaugh, according to a new biography of Parcells.

Baalke started his career in 1998 with the New York Jets as a scout when Parcells was coach.

"After Baalke secured the job, he quietly tried to lure his first choice for head coach: Bill Parcells. York and Baalke emphasized that although the club had missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons, it contained a talented roster. The 49ers saw Parcells, even at sixty-nine and having been away from the sideline since the 2006 season, as someone who would lead the franchise to the playoffs for at least a couple seasons while sharing Baalke's vision. But citing his age and the team's distance from his home base (Jupiter, Fla.), Parcells put an end to any serious discussions. The 49ers turned their attention to the Stanford head coach on so many wish lists."