For days, various reports and sources have been leaking out to say that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh is likely to leave and become the new head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. After visiting with the NFL franchise on Wednesday, Harbaugh has shocked many in the NFL and college football by deciding to return to Michigan instead.
According to Adam Schefter, Harbaugh has informed the school he’s coming back.
Jim Harbaugh called Michigan to inform the school that, despite interviewing with the Vikings today, he will be returning to school for the 2022 season, sources tell ESPN. Michigan was, in the words of one source, “elated” to get Harbaugh’s decision.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2022
Harbaugh had interviewed initially with the Vikings last week and many assumed that it was a foregone conclusion that he would want to return to the NFL after finally getting the Wolverines back into the national title picture. However, when Harbaugh said that this season, which saw Michigan win the Big Ten and make the College Football Playoff, was just the beginning, apparently he meant it.
Jim Harbaugh told Warde Manuel that this would not be a re-occurring issue and he would stay at Michigan as long as it wants him, per sources. https://t.co/d3NVS4EdLl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2022
It’s huge news for Michigan fans, who are hoping that the program can maintain this level of play, especially as Ohio State will be looking for revenge next season. Meanwhile, it’s a tough break for Vikings fans who had their heart set on getting a coach who went 49-22-1 in four seasons with the 49ers.
The reactions to the breaking news ranged from shock to disappointment with plenty of humor about Harbaugh’s traits as well.
The purple and khaki dream dies https://t.co/XwPutNEbqG
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) February 3, 2022
I checked 20 times to see if this was a fake account. https://t.co/nYm8R3GcRJ
— Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) February 3, 2022
Elated to go 0-3 against Tucker https://t.co/SViSllXByJ
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) February 3, 2022
Whoa, really figured once Harbaugh took that interview, he was taking the job. So now it's down to Patrick Graham and the Rams coordinators. I would think Graham will learn his fate within the next 24 hours or so either way. https://t.co/MzoiThb7d1
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) February 3, 2022
Meeting with the #Vikings just wrapped up… and Harbaugh is staying at Michigan. #Vikings down to Patrick Graham, Raheem Morris and Kevin O'Connell.
Vikings wouldn't be able to officially hire Morris or O'Connell until after the Super Bowl. https://t.co/jJOX1twij8
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 3, 2022
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will return to U-M next season. I'm not sure what happened or why it didn't play out as expected, but this is great news for the program.
— Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) February 3, 2022
Congrats, Michigan fans. Viking fans, ah well.