Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh gives perplexing statement on Vikings rumors, interview

For the second consecutive offseason, rumors have swirled around Jim Harbaugh leaving the Michigan program. The NFL could once again be calling his name, with the latest report being the Minnesota Vikings will be interviewing the Wolverines head coach.

However, Harbaugh himself will not confirm or deny that he will be taking on that interview. Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press said he spoke with Harbaugh and he did not want to discuss the situation.

“I just had a 1 1/2-minute phone conversation with Jim Harbaugh, Tomasson said via Twitter on Tuesday. “He was friendly but wouldn’t confirm coming to Minnesota for Vikings interview Wednesday. ‘I’m not confirming anything or denying anything.’ He said ‘please don’t be offended’ that he wouldn’t discuss his situation.”

Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported Harbaugh would be traveling to Minneapolis to interview with the Vikings on Wednesday.

Pete Thamel gives latest intel on Jim Harbaugh and Michigan

Of course, there is always a scenario where Harbaugh could decide to stay with the Michigan Wolverines. He played his college football there and even took a reduced contract to remain with the program last season.

ESPN college football analyst Pete Thamel gave the latest intel on the situation. He said if the Vikings do not come to fruition for Harbaugh, there could be some questions about where he stands with the Wolverines.

“I mean, what a fascinating scenario we’re in right now with Jim Harbaugh,” Thamel said on SportsCenter. “It’s not unprecedented that a sitting head coach at a blue blood is going after an NFL job. He’s not guaranteed to, but it’s certainly rare. And I really think that Michigan is sitting in alert right now for the next 48 hours, waiting for this Jim Harbaugh decision. The administration there is looking at this saying, ‘we just built all this goodwill from winning the Big Ten, blowing out Ohio State, making the College Football Playoff, and the only story at Michigan this offseason has been where will Jim Harbaugh go.’

“So the most interesting thing to me, if he does not get the job, and he is not guaranteed to get the job, he’s a candidate on a list. He is not the favorite by any means. He could end up there, but he has work to do to get it. If he comes back, how does that work with Michigan?”