What to know about the Vikings HC Search [Edit: Today's Harbaugh Thread]

Submitted by MightyMatt13 on January 30th, 2022 at 11:08 AM

Maybe this is overdoing it, but we've heard a ton about the Raiders the last couple weeks and not much about Minnesota until very recently. As a big Vikes fan who's worlds only collide with the occasional Ben Gedeon 4th round selection or Hutch Hall of Fame selection, I'm Big Emotion right now. Here are some tidbits to catch us all up:

  • Per Tom Pelissero today, Rams OC O'Connell, 9ers DC Ryans, and Harbaugh are the 3 finalists for the job
  • Before Kwesi was hired as GM, ownership set out what they wanted for the franchise and interviewed HC candidates of their own. They do not want a rebuild, see a window in the North to compete ASAP, and feel a communicator on both sides of the ball can get that done
  • O'Connell and Ryans both got the call from ownership pre-Kewsi, have worked with him in the past, and now are scheduled for 2nd round interviews after today's NFC Championship. We can safely say both have buy-in from ownership + new GM
  • Harbaugh is a pure Kwesi interview, no one from the org reached out to him before he was hired
  • Beat writers came out and said Ryans was the favorite to ownership after his dismantling of GB in the playoffs, which plays no small role here (sorry Bears and Lions fans, the only threat perceived to MIN is GB)

From a fan base perspective many are very excited about the possibility of JH on message boards, talk radio, etc. He also has a tree of coaches still in the NFL (hello Vic Fangio) that could fill a staff together pretty quickly and arguably better than either other option.

Reading the tea leaves, Ryans ticks every box and makes less waves than Harbaugh, which certainly the Wilfs will prefer and I imagine a very young inexperienced GM will too. What's worth paying attention to is if the 9ers beat the Rams - do the Vikings want to wait for Ryans while staffs settle in to place? Do they prefer Harbaugh to O'Connell - which I feel they might given their strong desire for a leader vs. offensive or defensive specialist? The math COULD become Harbaugh now with open season to hire a staff > Ryans in 3 weeks with a lot of position/OC/DC settled around the league. That has happened plenty of times before: See Bieniemy, Eric.

I'll hang up and listen.

double blue

January 30th, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^

At this point I’m finally done w Harbaugh. I’ve been 100% behind him until today. 
I knew he wanted an nfl gig but it was always w full control. It now appears he just wants out.   We will go through this every year.  Who wants to play or coach for someone that wants out this bad. 

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MadGatter

January 30th, 2022 at 11:52 AM ^

Im with you man. I always took this whole situation as Harbaugh considering NFL gigs as long as they are the perfect situation (good cap situation, control, familiarity with front office office, history with the franchise, etc etc). In the slim chance that something like that came up, then he goes for it and I would understand it. 

But to go for the fucking Vikings (which has basically none of the above) says to me he is okay with any NFL job. Which feels really shit man. It seems clear be doesn't want to be here. So leave and make way for someone who does before it's too late to salvage the situation

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Perkis-Size Me

January 30th, 2022 at 12:29 PM ^

If he truly doesn’t want to be here anymore or his heart isn’t in it anymore, then fine. Everyone has to do what’s best for them with their own life. But if he doesn’t get an NFL gig then I’d almost hope he just opts to step down and make way for Gattis. Because this cloud will be hanging over Michigan’s head, and now he’ll have to re-convince his staff and all his players that he’s 100% committed to them. And you won’t be able to blame any of them for being skeptical.

Even if he comes back, at this point the damage has already been done. You can’t tell me that Day, Tucker, Franklin, and every other coach out there isn’t using this as a golden opportunity to call all of Michigan’s top recruiting targets and negative recruit Michigan into oblivion. “You really want to consider playing for a guy interviewing for NFL jobs? You think he wants to be there?” “Come play for me, I actually want to be here.”

That question will be asked over and over and over again, and if he comes back we won’t have an answer for it. I’d almost rather he move on so this narrative can no longer be used against the program anymore.

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MGolem

January 30th, 2022 at 1:15 PM ^

Beyond annoying that this is even a thing but we could do a lot worse than Gattis. Broyles award and all that. Young. Energetic. A very god recruiter. A million miles from any NFL radar and he played at a school that is unlikely to be his dream job in case they come calling down the road. Could likely keep almost all of the staff, and players, in place. May not have the gameday acumen just yet but Ryan Day and Lincoln Riley didn’t have that either, until they did. 

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Sopwith

January 30th, 2022 at 12:08 PM ^

Well, I've been tryna tell you guys he just wants an NFL job, any NFL job*, for a month. 

But what I don't get is why anyone would not want him back if he doesn't get that opportunity. That is just lunacy. Who is the better coach waiting in the wings that is going to take us the last step to winning the National Championship with all the structural disadvantages we face in recruiting?

*that doesn't involve Jed York or Trent Baalke

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Sopwith

January 30th, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^

I doubt there is a single big-time college coach in America who would pass up a bona fide NFL opportunity unless they knew they couldn't do it. Saban knows he can't do it (and the uneven playing field benefits him, unlike most). Urban now knows he can't do it. These are competitive people and the NFL is the highest level of competition, plus you don't have to deal with all the alumni relations, academic anxiety, and recruiting bullshit.

You know what's worse than having a coach whose name comes up for NFL jobs every year? NOT having a coach whose name comes up for NFL jobs every year. 

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The Deer Hunter

January 30th, 2022 at 1:09 PM ^

 You know what's worse than having a coach whose name comes up for NFL jobs every year? NOT having a coach whose name comes up for NFL jobs every year.

That's debatable, the first paragraph contradicts this as well. You can't say you would coach @ Michigan for free or tell top recruits these are just rumors when you're signaling to every swinging dick GM in the NFL...Look at me, I'm available.

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HighBeta

January 30th, 2022 at 1:29 PM ^

Couldn't do it ... or they don't WANT to do it.

Yes, we're well versed with all the college "bullshit" (your term, a fine one BTW), but coaching in the NFL also comes with its own collection of bullshit. Crazy owners, irrational fans, players' sports agents, opinoniated talking heads, and (wait for it ....) "divas" and/or the "mentaly ill" who are under contract. 

NFL? Probably not a stressless place to work or position to hold either.

 

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berto714

January 30th, 2022 at 8:25 PM ^

To be fair to Saban, he wasn't totally terrible with the Dolphins. Winning season the first year, then the team passed on Brees to sign... Daunte Culpepper. He very well might have ended up making it in the NFL if he stuck it out (or if they had signed Brees...). Just look at Pete Carroll - mediocre first run in the NFL, then had a great second career. 

It seems like Saban is more than happy to keep doing what he's doing though, and I agree with you that the uneven playing field benefits him. He might think he has it easier in college, or he might actually prefer the game. But I'm not convinced it's because he knows he can't win in the NFL.

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I Like Burgers

January 30th, 2022 at 4:05 PM ^

Feels like it's too late for that.  Would anyone really take him at his word if he said that?  This is the equivalent of getting cheated on by someone that's been rumored to be interested in cheating for years.

Have another good season next fall, and more NFL teams come flirting you really gonna trust him that's he's not going to be receptive to the flirting?

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Wendyk5

January 30th, 2022 at 12:45 PM ^

My irrational take completely based on emotion: I want my coach to love my team as much as I do. I wouldn't go root for another team because a better opportunity came up, i.e. they have a better chance to win the CFP. Why should I excuse that in my coach? Again, irrational take based on emotion. 

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Sam1863

January 30th, 2022 at 5:20 PM ^

Mine is in a similar vein: I am a Michigan fan. I root passionately for Michigan, its players, and its coaches. If you're not one of those people, I don't really care. If you were one of those people but you chose to leave Michigan, I care even less. (And I'm also sure that none of those players and coaches give a damn what one guy on the internet thinks.)

So if Harbaugh wants to be the coach at Michigan, I'm all for him. But if he doesn't, if he wants to coach in the NFL, then just leave. I'd rather give the job to someone like Gattis, someone who desperately wants the opportunity. Better that than someone who's using UM as a place holder.

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TheJimandI

January 30th, 2022 at 12:13 PM ^

I dunno if I’d be “done” with Harbaugh. He’s a man and gets one shot at life like the rest of us. Maybe he needs to do this interview just to see what happens. If he doesn’t get hired this year, I’m not convinced interest in him will continue and will be seen as more of a long shot Hail Mary hire. He loves Michigan and I trust him to coach here. Not to mention, it’s not bad for recruits to hear that kind of perspective for their own careers. 

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bamf_16

January 30th, 2022 at 1:37 PM ^

Harbaugh ought to be done with Michigan.

 

We’ll pay you, but not at the level of guys you’re better than.

 

And we’ll give you less to work with than your rivals in terms of NIL and the transfer portal but expect you to beat them.

 

I held out (and still hold) hope JH was trying to get leverage to force the university into the 21st century of college football. If it’s not willing to join him, he’d be a fool to stay with other/better options available.

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WeimyWoodson

January 30th, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^

Got to think the top talent Michigan was still in for to sign in a couple weeks probably aren’t thinking Michigan is a good move anymore. I’m sure very few 23’ are interested in committing soon either. 
Feels like we’re looking at a possible Oklahoma situation but without much possibility of getting a big name replacement. 

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jmblue

January 30th, 2022 at 1:48 PM ^

Let's take a deep breath here. 

Sure, it's not awesome to have your coach linked to other jobs, but that often happens when they're successful.  This doesn't mean that he hates his current job and will do it half-heartedly if he returns.  (Does Jim do anything half-heartedly?)  Nor does it necessarily mean that this will happen every offseason.  In fact, often a coach goes through something like this, he decides, as Bo did (or Tom Izzo after his flirtation with the Atlanta Hawks) to stay put for the long haul.

The bottom line IMO is that we're not likely to find another coach of Harbaugh's caliber, and given how our two previous coaching searches went, I don't really care to try.  

Just ride this out.

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uncle leo

January 30th, 2022 at 11:16 AM ^

Personally, and maybe I'm reaching a bit here, but the damage has already been done, even if Harbaugh returns.

This is such a negative sell for other coaches about JH- they now have solid proof (I think) that he interviewed for an NFL job and he could leave at any second. 

I am so thankful that he finally got this program over the hump, but just move on. It's apparent that the NFL game is where his heart lies; if not, all this noise would have been put to rest weeks ago. Just leave, go be a DC/OC or some big time assistant for a team and then you'll get your job the following year when 4-6 more jobs open up. I know he won't, but he may as well since it looks like college is not his jam anymore.

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AlbanyBlue

January 30th, 2022 at 11:49 AM ^

This is a strong point. A lot of the "full control" and "unfinished business" explanations can go and die now. He just wants out of the Michigan job. Sure, maybe the Vikings see a path to winning the NFC North now -- and that is dubious, since even Detroit beat them this year -- but there is nothing for them beyond that.

It seems like all the pro-Michigan talk from Harbaugh has been bullshit. If he wants to go, that's fine. Thanks for the great season. 

If we have Gattis or whoever as HC, fine, just for the love of God use the weapons on offense.

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WorldwideTJRob

January 30th, 2022 at 1:30 PM ^

Fans are starting to sound like a jealous boyfriend. All he’s done is have “exploratory talks” and the fanbase is in full on meltdown mode! Please R-E-L-A-X and let this play out. He is still under contract as of now. He’s been on the road recruiting and interviewing DC candidates. Furthermore this sounds a lot like the mob that wanted him fired before the 2021 season. If he wins he will be wanted. 
 

As I explained before in another thread Tom Izzo and Coach K are a couple of the names of legendary coaches that have interviewed for pro jobs and have stayed at their schools for long periods of time. Think both of those programs survived and thrived afterwards. So stop making this seem like it is the end. He can come back and still lead this program to more championships.

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WeimyWoodson

January 30th, 2022 at 1:55 PM ^

Michigan is the only program in playoff history that didn’t get some major juice after an appearance. Why do you think that is? No recruit is wanting to sign with a team who’s head coach is telling kids he’s looking at NFL offers. 
 

Sure he’s recruiting but what has been accomplished in the month? I’d say jack shit. The other big three in the East have gotten better and Michigan is just waiting in a holding pattern while the most important person in the program is actively trying to leave. 

Someone else said something like “he’s doing his job now, what more could you want, people don’t stop working their job when interviewing with other places.” That’s crazy talk. The majority of people are checked out of their currently role as soon as they start interviewing else where and excited about a change.
 

This cluster the last month has done nothing but made Michigan look weaker. When Josh Connelly Jr commits to USC in two weeks and/or Donte Moore commits to MSU or OSU one of the biggest reasons will be because of what Harbaugh is doing now. Except he won’t be able to call them and convince them to change their mind like he did with Will Johnson when Will was getting ready to commit to OSU. 

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WorldwideTJRob

January 30th, 2022 at 2:08 PM ^

And yet he finished with a top 10 class(on par with his other classes) and got one of the best grad transfers on the market…stop with the sky is falling crap. It was a long shot for Connelly to come here anyway. Moore is a local kid, if he wants to be at Michigan he will go regardless of who is coaching there. We’ve picked up 4* recruits since the season ended, but recruiting is going to hell according to some of you.

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