Michigan football: Jim Harbaugh and the Vikings, Sunday update
Jim Harbaugh has spoken with the Minnesota Vikings in a Zoom meeting described as a “feeling out session.” The two sides will now determine the next step … or if there is one.
As we reported weeks ago, the Vikings were potentially an option if Minnesota hired former San Fransisco front office employee Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as their General Manager. That happened last week. Though the Vikings have interviewed several candidates, Adofo-Mensah and Harbaugh have history. The two overlapped by a couple years when Harbaugh was the 49ers head coach.
What’s clear — Aodfo-Mensah is interested in Harbaugh. What’s not clear is how intrigued Vikings ownership is at the possibility. Several candidates are lining up for second interviews, but Harbaugh could (we emphasize “could”) head to Minneapolis this week to tour the facility.
If that happens, then the possibility of Harbaugh back to the NFL becomes very real.
At this point, however, other targets appears to be higher on the Vikings’ wish list. San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, among others are the most serious.
O’Connell and Ryans are already set for second interviews, per NFL.com. They’ll bring others in for seconds, as well, while “continuing to explore the possibility of hiring Harbaugh.”
Harbaugh has a 44-19-1 record with the 49ers. That’s the fifth-best winning percentage in NFL history, above any active NFL coach. He made the playoffs three times in four years with San Francisco and three consecutive NFC Championship games.
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Harbaugh lost the Super Bowl to his brother, John Harbaugh’s, Baltimore Ravens team in an epic 2013 contest.
The Vikings asked for permission to speak to Harbaugh — and received it — in line with the terms of his Michigan contract. Minnesota would have to pay $1.5 million for his buyout if they high him. The number decreases to $1 million in 2023, $500,000 in 2024, and no money in 2025.
Harbaugh has also been renegotiating his contract with Michigan. It’s unclear at this point how those numbers change if he re-ups with the Wolverines.
Watch for more on this development in the hours and days to come.
For more of what we’ve heard on the possibility of Harbaugh’s return to the NFL, visit The Fort, our premium message board, and this post: SUNDAY UPDATE
