GM Viking, Odds Owner on Hiring Jim Harbaugh: Report

Getty

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh discusses the previous game with the lineman during the fourth round against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State beat Michigan 28-21.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh made his intentions clear the night before his interview with Minnesota Vikings.

He plans to take the job if offered.

“Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will be traveling to Minnesota for an interview Wednesday, but multiple sources say it’s a formality. Harbaugh went there intending to sign a deal to become the head coach of NFL Vikings,” TheWolverine.com’s Chris Balas reported on February 1st.

Harbaugh said “thank you” and “goodbye” in Michigan on Monday, January 31, Balas added.

However, in the NFL, it’s not over until it’s over. There remains one final hurdle for Harbaugh: convincing Viking ownership that he’s an ideal candidate amid a reported split among Viking coins.

The latest Viking news to your inbox! Participation Viking heavy news here!

Join Heavy on Vikings!

Adofo-Mensah & Shared Ownership on Harbaugh

On Monday night, Michigan insider Sam Webb reported that Harbaugh was pushing for the position of Minnesota head coach.

“I was told by multiple sources from the university today that Harbaugh’s desire to return to the pro scene…if he can… has been made clear. Wednesday’s interview was more than just another step in the sensing process. He’s chasing an opportunity hard. And as would be expected under those circumstances, I’ve heard he’s passed potential targets for what would be his employees,” Webb reports to subscriber Sports 247, said. InsideTheVikings ‘Will Ragatz.

Harbaugh was once seen as a long-term contender for the Vikings, but now it seems the only thing stopping Minnesota is ownership.

general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensahwho worked with Harbaugh for two years with San Francisco 49ers, has Harbaugh at the top of his list, Webb reported. However, ownership may remain unconvinced of Harbaugh’s hiring.

“This time around that rep has shared rumors from NFL circles suggesting that Harbaugh is at the top of Adofo-Mensah’s list, but that the Michigan head still needs to be sold to others in the organization.” Webb added. InsideTheVikings. “There’s been a rumor that in league circles, ‘Harbaugh can be tough to deal with.’ But there is concern that his already established relationship with Adofo-Mensah could falter. “

Hardcore Viking fans? Follow Heavy on the Vikings Facebook page for breaking news, rumors and latest content from Skol Nation!

Ownership does not want another Zimmer

GettyMike Zimmer

Harbaugh’s coaching history has been marred by rumors of tension with 49ers ownership and players.

In their initial search for a coach, the Vikings trailed Harbaugh, interviewing eight different candidates before Harbaugh’s name was even mentioned in the same rhythm as the Vikings. Stepping out from a “fear-based culture” according to Mike ZimmerHarbaugh’s murky past likely made him a peripheral candidate for the team’s hiring committee.

But when Adofo-Mensah joined the organization a week ago on January 26, the Vikings general manager quickly turned a potential Harbaugh hire into a reality. Harbaugh had an interview on saturday and will be responding for his interview on Wednesday.

However, Harbaugh will have to answer for his lost case in San Francisco.

San Francisco Fallout

Harbaugh worked wonders for the 49ers when he was first hired in 2011. He took over a 6-10 team and led them to three consecutive NFC championships and one Super Bowl XLVII appearance. .

But amid the tumultuous 2014 campaign, Harbaugh was told he would be fired at the end of the season.

“Yes, I’ve been told I’m not going to be a coach anymore – and you can call it bipartisan. I wouldn’t put the 49ers in a position of having a coach they don’t want anymore,” Harbaugh said, NFL.com. “That’s the truth of it. I haven’t left the 49ers, I feel like the 49er hierarchy has left me.”

Harbaugh head-butts with general manager Trent Baalke, leading to a polarized public image towards the head coach. He is rumored to be a control maniac and wants full discretion of the 49ers.

However, NFL insider and editor-in-chief of The Athletic’s Bay Area affiliate Tim Kawakami reported back in 2014 that Harbaugh never requested HR powers during his tenure in San Francisco.

“He doesn’t want to be a GM – you think he wants to put his drafts together, watch 30 game tapes of potential 6th place athletes from New Mexico or spend March to go to Baylor / Maryland / Colorado / Nebraska pro days and chat with college coaches and other executives? No, he’s not,” “Kawakami speak.

The split between Harbaugh and Baalke occurred when both “football fanatics” had disagreements and had no other way to establish a working partnership.

“When two football fanatics started head-butting each other, they had nowhere else to go for their relationship. Do you think they will go to the movies together or organize a cookout? No, “Kawakami Written. “Football is the only thing for both of them and when they start to disagree on football issues, even the smallest things turn into epic battles and losers will remember it forever, because so it just builds for the next battle and the next one. ”

However, Harbaugh has a penchant for creating chaos and “quickly falls in love with the player,” Kawamaki said. speak.

“I heard he sometimes bursts into the HR department suddenly asking the team to make drastic changes, like that. That’s not how Baalke works at all, and he’s been pushed back against Harbaugh every time that happens. And Baalke of course has control of the lineup,” Kawakami reports.

Yes many disputes reported between Baalke and Harbaugh on individual player decisions.

Adofo-Mensah makes no secret of Harbaugh’s football acumen, which could have been a less tense situation between the pair of GM head coaches.

However, Harbaugh will have to respond to Minnesota’s scouting department that ownership wants to be retained – with Adofo-Mensah acting as the referee.