Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh is scheduled for his second interview with the Minnesota Vikings later in the week.
But it seems like said interview to become the Vikings’ next head coach is nothing more than a mere formality. According to Chris Balas of TheWolverine.com, Harbaugh plans to sign on to replace the recently-fired Mike Zimmer in Minnesota.
“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,” the report read.
Per Balas, Harbaugh was not at Schembechler Hall in Ann Arbor on Tuesday. But he did say some “goodbyes” and “thank yous” on Monday. Harbaugh has yet to address the Wolverine football program or its players as of publication of this article.
Regardless, someone as plugged in to the Wolverines’ program as Balas is not going to run with this report without it being legitimate.
Related: Top candidates to replace Jim Harbaugh as Michigan head coach
Jim Harbaugh as the Minnesota Vikings next head coach
This comes the same day that Minnesota’s brass finished up a long interview with current New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for their head-coach vacancy. It also comes one day after San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans took his name out of the running for the job.
Earlier in the week, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero pointed to the real possibility that Harbaugh could make a move back to the NFL after leaving the San Fancisco 49ers following the 2014 season.
“The Vikings plan to fly in Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for an interview Wednesday in Minnesota, per sources. The sides spoke Saturday to gauge Harbaugh’s interest in the head coaching job. Now, another big step towards Harbaugh potentially returning to the NFL.”
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero on Jim Harbaugh to the Vikings
Harbaugh and new Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have a built-in relationship dating back to their days with the aforementioned 49ers for two seasons.
Jim Harbaugh NFL coaching record: 44-19-1, three NFC Championship Game appearance, one Super Bowl appearance
As you can see, the former NFL quarterback had a tremendous amount of success with San Francisco from 2011-14. Said relationship ended in a bitter way with Harbaugh failing to get a long with 49ers CEO Jed York and then-general manager Trent Baalke.
Coming off leading Michigan to a surprise appearance in the College Football Playoffs, Harbaugh was previously linked to the Las Vegas Raiders and Miami Dolphins openings.
It now seems that he’s headed to the Vikings. This would be an absolute coup for a Minnesota organization coming off a sorely disappointing 8-9 season.