Jim Harbaugh Rumors: Michigan HC 'Conveyed Legitimate Interest' in Vikings HC Job

Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh interviewed for the Minnesota Vikings' head coach opening and "conveyed legitimate interest" in taking the job, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler added the Vikings believe Harbaugh is "ready for a return to the NFL" and is considered "in the mix" for the job.

The 58-year-old spent four seasons as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, registering a 44-19-1 regular-season record, and got his team to Super Bowl XLVII. He returned to the NCAA level in 2015 and spent the past seven years at Michigan, leading the Wolverines to a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff appearance in 2021. 

Harbaugh has a 61-24 overall record at Michigan, although a 1-5 bowl record remains a concern in Ann Arbor.

The Vikings, who fired head coach Mike Zimmer after eight seasons with the team, requested permission to interview Harbaugh and had an "exploratory conversation" with the coach Saturday to gauge his interest in returning to the NFL, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. 

Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic reported Michigan could offer Harbaugh an extension if he stays, but some at the school "wonder if he's torn about NFL."

Minnesota could be an interesting landing spot with a team built to compete.

The Vikings finished 8-9 in 2021 with eight of those losses decided by eight points or less. Flipping some of those one-score games could have made them a playoff team.

The squad also has five Pro Bowlers including injury replacements, with quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Dalvin Cook and receiver Justin Jefferson representing an exciting offensive core.

New Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah overlapped with Harbaugh in San Francisco in 2013 and '14 and saw the type of impact the coach could have on a roster. The Niners went 20-12 in those two seasons, including making it to the NFC Championship Game in 2013. 

Despite the interesting fit from both sides, Minnesota is considering several other candidates. The team is set to hold second interviews with Los Angeles Rams coordinators Kevin O'Connell and Raheem Morris, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, while New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is also still in the mix for the opening, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.