After weeks of speculation that Jim Harbaugh will be leaving Michigan to return to the NFL, it has been confirmed by ESPN's Adam Schefter he will in fact be staying with the Wolverines football program for next season. The university is reportedly 'elated' by the news.
Harbaugh was rumored to be a shoe-in for the Minnesota Vikings after initial rumors came out that the former 49ers coach wanted to make a return to professional football. The 58-year-old coach left the university on National Signing Day to interview for the head coaching job in Minneapolis and afterward, informed Michigan that he be returning for the 2022 season. Schefter added in the report that Michigan AD Warde Manuel says the school will welcome him as their head coach as long as he would like to stay.
Many people, especially Michigan fans were pondering why Harbaugh would leave his alma mater after leading them to one of the best seasons in recent program history, having won the school it's first Big Ten title since 2003 and earning their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff.
According to one report, Harbaugh took the interview thinking he would get the job due to his connection with the Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The Vikings did not feel like it was a 'slam dunk.'
If we look at the history oHarbaugh's past coaching stops, he doesn't seem to stick around for too long. He only stayed 4 years at Stanford, taking the 49ers job in which he lasted the same amount of time, and then finally went back to his alma mater. The 2022 season will be Harbaugh's eighth at the helm.
Now that Harbaugh is out of the picture, this leaves the Vikings having to sift through their other coaching candidates. Out of the other coaches that the franchise is considering, only one has any real head coaching experience in the NFL, that would be Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
Although Harbaugh may be returning to Ann Arbor, it shouldn't be a moment to rejoice for Michigan fans. If the right job comes around next offseason, you can expect his name to be thrown out there considering his success at every stop he's been at and his over 19 years of head-coaching experience.
Follow Jasper Jones on Twitter: @jonesj2342
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