Jim Harbaugh Is the Popular Choice for Vikings HC. But Is He the Right One?
As of Tuesday morning, we are down to four names for the Minnesota Vikings head coach position following the withdrawal of San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Demarco Ryans.
Left in the running are the Super Bowl-bound Los Angeles Rams offensive and defensive coordinators Kevin O’Connell and Raheem Morris, in addition to Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh and New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Looking around the various social media outlets — where everyone has an opinion and polls for a head coach favorite are rife — Jim Harbaugh appears to be the majority of fans’ favorite. Ever since the news of his genuine interest, Jim Harbaugh became the popular choice amongst Vikings fans.
The big question is would it be the right choice?
Those opposed to the Harbaugh idea point to him being more of a Zimmeresque character rather than the refreshing new young positive character they were expecting. After what ownership had set out as their vision and then backed up with the appointment of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, appointing a 58-year-old head coach whose tenure in his last NFL job ended with fallout and power struggle with the general manager is certainly cause for raised eyebrows after how the tenure of the previous head coach ended.
An important caveat is Adolfo-Mensah himself was on the 49ers staff when all that happened, giving him a better insight into what went on and what Harbaugh is like to work than any of us looking on from the outside. If Kwesi is in on Harbaugh, then so am I because when we talk coaching record, you have to be impressed. In the NFL, his career win percentage is .688. While in college football, it is .700.
Vikings fans will be hoping he can have the same impact he had on the San Francisco 49ers. They only won six games the season before he arrived and five games the season after in the four years in between under Harbaugh’s leadership. He guided the 49ers to the NFC championship game on three consecutive occasions, making the Super Bowl once before finishing with a disappointing 8-8 season.
Harbaugh isn’t the same coach as Mike Zimmer. He’s certainly more open to working with his quarterback. The former NFL quarterback’s reputation largely stems from working with young signal-callers, and he is the offensive mind that so many crave. He could be the guy to get the best out of Kirk Cousins.
Alternatively, he might be the guy to bring in a rookie to develop, leaving no options open. If rumors that he will bring Vic Fangio as his defensive coordinator are true, the deal becomes even sweeter. That’s not just a lot of experience, but the experience of being successful — which is going to be difficult to pass on.
Having flown out to California to interview the two Rams coordinators, Harbaugh will fly into Minnesota for Wednesday, a day known as National Signing Day — which, of course, the more superstitious among us are seeing as a sign.
The Vikings will complete their due diligence and come to a decision. Harbaugh to Minnesota discourse seemed to cool yesterday, and then it heated up again. The popular choice is Jim Harbaugh right now, and the more I’ve thought about it, the more it appeals. Time will tell if the majority get their wish.
You must be logged in to post a comment.