Palo Alto High School graduate Jim Harbaugh led the San Francisco 49ers to a 33-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday at Candlestick Park, in his first official game coaching in the National Football League (NFL). The Viking had a rare opportunity to watch the game from the sidelines, and discuss the changes the 49ers squad will face in the future with both the team’s president and chief strategy officer.

The Bay Area’s professional football team is undergoing many changes this season, including the addition of new staff members.

“We have a new head coach, assistant, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator,” Gideon Yu, chief strategy officer said. “Giving Coach Harbaugh his first win in the NFL was important.”

Harbaugh joined the 49ers as head coach after leading the Stanford Cardinals to a 12-1 season and an Orange Bowl championship. Four years ago, in 2007, Stanford had a losing 4-8 record. However, Harbaugh worked relentlessly to form the Cardinals into the team of champions that it is today.

Jed York, president and chief executive officer of the 49ers, believes that Harbaugh can build another powerhouse team, as a head coach in the NFL.

“First and foremost, you have to make sure you can build a team that can be consistent, not just with three to four key players,” York said.

York hopes that under Harbaugh’s leadership, the 49ers can bring back the success that the team had in the 80’s and 90’s. He carefully selected Harbaugh for the job, due to his fifteen years of experience as a former quarterback in the NFL.

“You want someone who understands the quarterback position,” York said.

The 49ers are also in the process of building a new stadium in Santa Clara, which is estimated to be completed in 2015.

“Our second biggest priority is to finance a new stadium. We want the best fan experience,” Yu said.

York also hopes to create “a personification of northern California.” He describes how the new stadium would incorporate the Bay Area’s high quality food and wine as well as the advanced technology of Silicon Valley.

Yu feels that today’s game provided the players and coaches with the confidence needed to reinvigorate the team and build towards future success.