Jim Harbaugh interviewed with the Vikings on Wednesday and was seemingly positioned to land the job if he wanted it. Instead, the Michigan head coach intends to remain in Ann Arbor, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
The seven-year Wolverines coach was connected to the Raiders and Vikings’ HC jobs. He spoke with the Vikings about the gig on multiple occasions. This Minnesota connection marked the closest Harbaugh has come to jumping back to the NFL since his 49ers stay ended. The Vikings met with Harbaugh for nine hours, but Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets the team did not make an immediate offer.
Rather than more Harbaugh-to-NFL connections arising annually, the veteran coach informed Michigan president Warde Manuel he wants to stay at his alma mater as long as it wants him, Schefter adds (via Twitter). Harbaugh, 58, has been in NFL coaching rumors for years. This not happening in 2023 and beyond would be a change for the former NFC champion coach. Harbaugh is coming off his first win over Ohio State, which led to Michigan’s first appearance in the College Football Playoff. The decorated HC was believed to be miffed at the pay cut he accepted last year. It will be interesting to see if Michigan adjusts his contract.
Harbaugh surfaced late in the Vikings’ HC search, seemingly jumping to the front of the line in the pursuit to succeed Mike Zimmer. However, Minnesota will need to pivot to one of its other finalists. The Vikes held second meetings with Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Rams OC Kevin O’Connell and Rams DC Raheem Morris. Here is how the team’s HC search now looks:
- Todd Bowles, defensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/21
- Jonathan Gannon, defensive coordinator (Eagles): Interviewed 1/20
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Mentioned as candidate
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Giants): Conducted second interview 2/1
- Nathaniel Hackett, offensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/16; hired by Broncos
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Interviewed 2/2; to stay at Michigan
- Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/19
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Conducted second interview 1/31
- Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/21; second interview scheduled
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/19; remaining in Dallas
- DeMeco Ryans, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/23; declined second interview
What happened to: Doug Pederson =
“Interview Requested” ???
Was it ACTUALLY Requested?
OR
Was it turned down??
As many expected, Harbaugh was leveraging the NFL to get a raise at Michigan. Go Buckeyes!
Harbaugh the SOB lol
Yup that’s why he’s said he would do the job for free, and has shown he does not care at all that he has a relatively low contract. I mean the dude gave away all his incentives to the Michigan athletics program, clearly money is not a driving factor for him
For free? Let me know when that happens. There’s what you say to boost the fan base (many who will buy anything) and what you say at the negotiating table. Neither he nor his agent is an idiot…
Go get Eric Bieniemy, seriously..
He’s not getting a HC job.
Meanwhile any team not competing in the SEC is non relevant and won’t be winning anything soon. 7 years 1 appearance good luck Harbaugh getting any prospect to come to Michigan and play in the cold. It is over for those programs except Ohio State. FOR NOW
Jim is never going to out recruit Ohio State or Alabama or
Georgia… Why he wants to try and win at Michigan who knows… NFL is too much pressure for him
Now that NIL is the law of the land the next generation of winners will be those that have the most millionaire boosters.
Sure would be nice to know what the sticking point in the negotiation was…
This is a bummer. Harbaugh is wasted in college
Dude was one game away from Facing Bama in the Championship.
As a Wolverines fan I’d prefer Dan Dierdorf as HC.
HORAY !. Big win for Michigan. My grandson who graduated from Michigan has indicated that the alumni are more than happy with this outcome.