Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh immediately expressed interest in an NFL return when multiple coaching vacancies emerged this offseason. While the available jobs are dwindling, he might still have a shot to be coaching an NFL team in 2022.
Harbaugh is coming off his best season at Michigan. The Wolverines posted a 12-2 record, becoming Big Ten champions and reaching the College Football Playoff Semifinal. But just as the program started ascending, Michigan’s coach inquired about NFL jobs.
The Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders, two franchises he had the most interest in joining, seemingly never viewed him as a finalist. But he met with the Minnesota Vikings this weekend. Now, per NBC Sports’ Peter King, there is a possibility that another job is in play.
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“Jim Harbaugh might still be in play. 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. Would Shad Khan take another shot at a famous college coach? Can’t imagine. Houston? Miami? Steven Ross? No! Who knows. I hear a lot of weird things this time of year.”
NFL insider Peter King with latest on Jim Harbaugh
Days after interviewing Harbaugh, Minnesota is meeting with the finalists in its coaching search. Unlike the Jacksonville Jaguars, who failed to submit an interview request in time, the Vikings will be able to meet with Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell this week.
While King’s conversations around the league seem to indicate Harbaugh is unlikely to land in Minnesota, he isn’t eliminated from the process. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Monday that the Michigan coach has a legitimate interest in the Vikings and he remains under consideration for the job.
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If the Vikings go in another direction, the Miami Dolphins are the likeliest landing spot for Harbaugh. While team owner Stephen Ross initially denied he would hire Harbaugh away from his alma mater, that likely changes if he believes Harbaugh wants to go.
If Harbaugh doesn’t land either job, Michigan will likely retain its head coach for another season. But the program might need to start preparing for him to jump ship a year from now.