Report: Vikings decide on head coach following Jim Harbaugh decision to stay at Michigan

Not long after news broke of Jim Harbaugh’s decision to return to Michigan, the Minnesota Vikings decided on their head coach.

Minnesota is expected to hire Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell for the role, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported the Vikings told other candidates they’re not getting the job.

Minnesota can’t make the hire official until after the Super Bowl, which is coming up Feb. 13. The Rams are taking on the Cincinnati Bengals that night at SoFi Stadium.

O’Connell got his coaching start in 2015 with the Cleveland Browns. He spent 2016 with the San Francisco 49ers working on special projects before moving to the Washington Commanders in 2017 as quarterbacks coach. After moving up to passing game coordinator and offensive coordinator in 2019, the Rams hired him as their offensive coordinator in 2020.

Minnesota was down to four finalists for the job: Harbaugh, O’Connell, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Wednesday night, Schefter reported Harbaugh told Michigan officials he’s returning to the program next season instead of coaching the Vikings. Still, the Vikings got their guy.

Report: 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, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter added Michigan was “elated” to hear about Harbaugh’s decision.

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.