The reports surrounding Jim Harbaugh potentially joining the Minnesota Vikings are heating up.
Harbaugh first spoke with the Vikings on Saturday about their head-coaching job. His conversation with the Vikings came just days after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was hired as the Vikings' general manager. The two men have a previous relationship from when they were both with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Vikings have been conducting their second round of interviews this week, and Harbaugh is set to meet with the team for an in-person interview on Wednesday.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says Harbaugh enters the interview with confidence he will land the job.
Furthermore, The Wolverine’s Chris Balas reported Tuesday that Harbaugh’s interview is a “formality” and that the coach plans to sign with the Vikings.
There are a few takeaways to consider.
First, if Balas’ report is accurate, then we may be reliving a repeat of the Brian Flores situation.
The Vikings have four finalists who are receiving in-person interviews (including Harbaugh). Minnesota held two in-person interviews on Monday. The Monday interviews were with the Rams’ offensive (Kevin O’Connell) and defensive coordinators (Raheem Morris). The interview with Morris satisfied the Rooney Rule. The Vikings also had a second interview with Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, an in-person interview on Tuesday.
If Harbaugh regards his Wednesday interview as a formality, that would mostly render the three other interviews as sham ones.
Secondly, despite what these reports say, we shouldn’t consider anything finalized until it’s done. Keep in mind that the Dolphins need a new head coach, too. Miami owner Stephen Ross is a huge Michigan booster and said he would not be the one to take Harbaugh away from the Wolverines unless he were sure Harbaugh was leaving anyway. If Harbaugh does leave Michigan, he has already established the paper trail pretty firmly that he wanted to leave. Miami should not be ruled out as a possibility for Harbaugh until the moment he actually signs with another team.
At this point, Harbaugh has already told recruits he is ready to leave for an NFL job.
Harbaugh also reportedly has his coordinators picked out too.
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