Michigan Insider Claims Harbaugh Heading to Vikings as Next HC

Dustin Baker |

Feb 1, 2022

Michigan Writer Claims Harbaugh Heading to Vikings as Next HC

Jim Harbaugh

The Minnesota Vikings head coaching search is still fluid, but the senior editor from TheWolverine.com insists the pursuit is basically over.

Sources: Jim Harbaugh plans to sign with the Minnesota Vikings #GoBlue https://t.co/jTh2W9AWL5
— Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) February 1, 2022

The man breaking the news is Chris Balas, an intent follower of University of Michigan athletics and editor of the aforementioned website. Minneapolis sources have not reported the Harbaugh-to-Minnesota news yet, insisting the Harbaugh interview is scheduled for Wednesday.

Curiously, defensive coordinator from the New York Giants, Patrick Graham, visited the Vikings for nine hours today. Unless new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has him pegged as the new defensive coordinator for the Vikings — in addition to the HC hire of Harbaugh — the two reports seem contradictory.

The Vikings finished up a 9-hour interview with Giants DC Patrick Graham, with Graham meeting with people throughout the organization. As we said before, he and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have a very solid relationship.

Jim Harbaugh is scheduled to visit the Vikings tomorrow.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 2, 2022

Regardless, Harbaugh was a head coach in the NFL before Michigan, leading the San Francisco 49ers to three consecutive NFC Championships with a cumulative 44-19 (.695) record. He owns the fifth-best winning percentage in NFL history among all head coaches. Harbaugh’s 49ers reached the Super Bowl in 2012, narrowly losing to the Baltimore Ravens, 34-31.

After an 8-8 season in 2014, Harbaugh departed to Michigan, compiling a 61-24 (.717) win-loss mark to date. Harbaugh has directed the enterprise for the Wolverines in seven full seasons.

Balas wrote on TheWolverine.com:

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is headed to Minnesota for a Wednesday interview, but multiple sources say it’s a formality. Harbaugh heads there planning to sign a deal to become the NFL Vikings’ head coach. Harbaugh was not in his office at Schembechler Hall today. Other sources told TheWolverine.com that while he didn’t address the team, he did say some “goodbyes” and “thank yous” yesterday.
– Chris Balas } The Wolverine

Whether it’s Harbaugh, Graham, or somebody else, that man will become the 10th head coach in Vikings history.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

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