Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is leaving on a jet plane for an interview to be the next head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, and according to a recent report, he doesn’t know when he’ll be back again. Well, it could be more like never if the Vikings actually extend him an offer, per Michigan sports insider John U. Bacon.
According to Bacon, as of right now, a deal between the two sides is “NOT done.”
The Vikings plan to be thorough in their interview process with questions surrounding the good and bad in Harbaugh’s tenure with the San Francisco 49ers.
So this isn’t just some silly formality where everyone holds hands and sings Kumbaya for an hour before calling and reserving a party at Manny’s Steakhouse to celebrate.
Harbaugh took the 6-10 49ers to the NFC Championship game and a Super Bowl in his first two seasons with the team. However, he also rubbed some people within the organization the wrong way enough for it all to end after just four seasons.
The good news for Harbaugh is he has a great relationship with Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who worked in football research and development for the 49ers at the time of the falling out. Bacon is setting the odds at 80-20 that a deal gets done between the two sides.
Per Chris Balas of The Wolverine, Harbaugh has already said some “goodbyes” and “thank yous” at Michigan. With the two sides expected to meet on Wednesday morning for an interview, all signs are pointing in the direction of an NFL return for the coach.
The Vikings appear to be closer than ever to finally finding their guy.