Momentum Fading for Harbaugh to Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings odyssey to find the next head coach is still in progress.
On Saturday, the University of Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh became a pizazz-filled dark horse candidate. Harbaugh reportedly had an exploratory discussion with new Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The two men cross paths for a couple of seasons in San Francisco.
But the enthusiasm for a Harbaugh candidacy is fading. He could still be “the guy” for the Vikings, yet the tea leaves more align with Raheem Morris (Rams), Kevin O’Connell (Rams), or DeMeco Ryans (49ers) landing the job. Minnesota is conducting second interviews with the three men this week.
After the brief Harbaugh-to-Vikings craze, the Miami Dolphins emerged as a suitor for Harbaugh, reducing the likelihood the Wolverines coach would join the Vikings.
Just two days ago, the Vikings were the only team in Harbaugh’s orbit, so another franchise muddies the waters to an extent.
And there’s also a theory that Harbaugh’s rendezvous’ with NFL teams is a power play for Michigan to pay him more. Those sentiments are all over the rumor mill.
Even KFAN’s Paul Allen would be surprised to see Harbaugh as the head coach, although the “Voice of the Vikings” would welcome it.
So, the Dolphins in the mix, the possibility as the Vikings as Harbaugh’s personal leverage for Michigan, Paul Allen not optimistic about the fruition as Harbaugh as head coach – those factors diminish the sizzle of the Harbaugh candidacy.
Plus, NBC Sports’ Peter King wrote on Monday, “Heard some cryptic things about the Michigan coach over the weekend, including that he’s not likely to get the Vikings job and yet one other job is in play. Not sure which that would be.”
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Harbaugh coached in the pros before Michigan, guiding the 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 even visited the Super Bowl in 2012, losing to the Joe Flacco-led Baltimore Ravens, 34-31.
After an 8-8 year in 2014, Harbaugh bolted to Michigan, compiling a 61-24 (.717) win-loss mark to date. Harbaugh has directed the enterprise in Ann Arbor for seven years.
Because the Harbaugh momentum paused after the Saturday night chat and Vikings brass is speaking with other men via second interviews, Harbaugh to Minnesota is fading a bit.
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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