Feb. 2 update: Per Schefter, Rams OC Kevin O’Connell is now the favorite to land the job.
Rams’ OC Kevin O’Connell has emerged as the favorite in Minnesota, per @DanGrazianoESPN and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2022
Wednesday, Feb. 2 update: Harbaugh is returning to Michigan, according to Adam Schefter. He was interested in the Vikings opening and seemed like the frontrunner for the job but he’s decided Ann Arbor is the place for him.
Jim Harbaugh called Michigan to inform the school that, despite interviewing with the Vikings today, he will be returning to school for the 2022 season, sources tell ESPN. Michigan was, in the words of one source, “elated” to get Harbaugh’s decision.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2022
Monday, Jan 31 update: The Vikings are bringing in Harbaugh for an interview on Wednesday, per Tom Pelissero. The sides have had some preliminary discussions and this is the next step.
The Minnesota Vikings are set to interview Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh for their head coaching vacancy, according to a report from The Detroit News. Harbaugh has previously been in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers and has said he would entertain a return to the league despite the success he’s having in Ann Arbor.
Harbaugh, 58, is interviewing with the Minnesota Vikings for their head-coaching vacancy, according to a report from Pro Football Talk on Saturday. Story from @chengelis https://t.co/CuxRBsDU3U
— Detroit News Sports (@detnews_sports) January 29, 2022
Harbaugh did ink an extension with Michigan recently but that came with a significant pay cut. After the season the Wolverines just had, Harbaugh definitely will want to make up some of that money. He could also be wanting to return to the NFL, where he had success with the 49ers. The power structure in college is significantly different from the pros, as Urban Meyer found out. Maybe Harbaugh is using this as a negotiating tactic with Michigan or maybe he’s really interested.
The Vikings hired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as their general manager earlier this month. They’ll likely look to make a decision on a head coach soon as other vacancies around the league have started to get filled.