Report: Minnesota Vikings and Jim Harbaugh not on the same page about second interview

More information is coming out about Jim Harbaugh’s interview with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday. A new report showed where the two sides differed heading into the interview.

In a Twitter thread, ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported Harbaugh indeed went into the interview thinking the job was his. That seemed to support a report from The Wolverine’s Chris Balas saying Harbaugh went to the interview planning to sign a contract to become Minnesota’s next head coach.

But Minnesota viewed the interview differently. Instead of being a “slam dunk,” the Vikings didn’t offer Harbaugh a deal, Cronin said. Minnesota also followed the same format it did with New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham on Tuesday, she reported.

My read on the Harbaugh/Vikings situation in speaking with sources: Harbaugh was in the mix for the Minnesota job because of his connection to Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. He operated under the assumption that the job was his and prepared for the interview as such.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) February 3, 2022

nature of what the in-person meeting was all about. The Vikings brought Harbaugh into Minnesota to interview, just like they did with Pat Graham on Tues. Followed the same format and everything.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) February 3, 2022

Harbaugh was considered for the job due to his connection to new Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The two were together briefly with the San Francisco 49ers during Adofo-Mensah’s first two years in the front office.

Now, Harbaugh is heading back to his alma mater to build off this past year’s success. One year removed from a 2-6 season, Michigan went 12-1 before falling to Georgia in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Jim Harbaugh to return to Michigan in 2022

Just when it looked like he was leaving, Jim Harbaugh stunned the football world. He’s not going anywhere.

After interviewing for the open Minnesota Vikings head coaching job on Wednesday, Harbaugh informed Michigan officials he’s returning to Ann Arbor this coming season, the school announced. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the move.

Conversations between the Vikings and Harbaugh heated up this week and he was in Minnesota for an interview on Wednesday. Despite reportedly considering a return to the NFL, he continued on the recruiting trial throughout the offseason. News of his decision broke as National Signing Day was coming to a close.

Harbaugh wasn’t the Vikings’ only head coach candidate. New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is a contender, as are both of the Los Angeles Rams coordinators — offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. It’s down to those three now that Harbaugh is heading back to Ann Arbor.

Harbaugh turned Michigan around this season, taking the Wolverines from a 2-4 2020 record to a 12-1 2021 record and the program’s first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff. Michigan fell to Georgia in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Now, Michigan can go forward knowing it has its coach. The Wolverines had the No. 9 recruiting class this year, as well, according to the On3 Consensus Team Rankings.