Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh was seemingly set to return to the NFL after leaving the professional ranks following the 2014 season.
Harbaugh interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday amid rumors that he was set to take their head coaching job to replace the recently-fired Mike Zimmer.
Apparently, the Super Bowl quarterback has had an about-face. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Harbaugh has informed Michigan that he’s set to return to the program for the 2022 season.
This has to be considered absolutely shocking news. Previous reports indicated that Harbaugh had all but made his decision to head to the Vikings, leaving the Wolverines after seven pretty successful seasons.
“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.”
Chris Balas of TheWolverine.com (February 1, 2022)
Jim Harbaugh set to return to Michigan
Harbaugh, 58, helped Michigan to a 12-2 record this past season and a spot in the College Football Playoffs. The team’s season came to an end against Georgia in the semifinals.
Since then, Harbaugh and the Wolverines’ brass have been engaged in extension negotiations. Some believed that his flirtation with an NFL return had to do with gaining an upper-hand in said negotiations. That might now be seen as the case.
The San Francisco 49ers’ head coach from 2011-14, Jim Harbaugh had a ton of success in the NFL. That included leading San Francisco to three consecutive NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance.
Since taking over in Michigan back in 2015, he’s led the Wolverines to a 61-24 record with six bowl appearances.
We’ll have more on this developing story as it breaks. For now, Jim Harbaugh will return to Ann Arbor an eighth season as the Vikings continue their search for a new head coach.