Vikings Marathon Interview with Patrick Graham Unlikely to Stand in Way of Jim Harbaugh Hire

Eric Strack — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 01:40:03 +0000

New York Giants defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, spent a lot of time getting to know those inside the Minnesota Vikings organization on Tuesday. According to multiple reports, he spent a total of 9 hours visiting and meeting with just about everyone at TCO Performance Center. Normally, that would lead fans and media to think his prospects to be hired as the next Vikings head coach are pretty good.

#Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is wrapping up a 9-hour interview with the #Vikings in Eagan; he spent the day with people throughout the organization, after new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had Graham on his short list. Now, to see what comes of Jim Harbaugh’s interview.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) February 2, 2022

Harbaugh’s Turn

But this isn’t a normal situation and there is a giant elephant, not yet in the room, but reportedly on his way to Eagan, MN right now. His name is Jim Harbaugh and those who work at his current place of employment, the University of Michigan, believe Jim is as good as gone.

Multiple sources tell The Wolverine’s Chris Balas that Harbaugh’s interview with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday is merely a formality. They believe he’s going there to accept the job and begin his victory tour.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is headed to Minnesota for a Wednesday interview, but multiple sources say it’s a formality. Harbaugh heads there planning to sign a deal to become the NFL Vikings’ head coach.
Harbaugh was not in his office at Schembechler Hall today. Other sources told TheWolverine.com that while he didn’t address the team, he did say some “goodbyes” and “thank yous” yesterday.
Chris Balas – Michigan Insider (The Wolverine)

Other Signs Point to Harbaugh

Patrick Graham may have hung out in the Twin Cities for an uncomfortable amount of time today. But all signs still point to Jim Harbaugh as the next Minnesota Vikings head coach, as long as he doesn’t screw things up during tomorrow’s interview process.

Balas isn’t the only person confident in Harbaugh’s chances. Various insiders at Michigan believe Jim is at the top of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s list of candidates. Harbaugh is clearly ready to leave Ann Arbor in favor of Minneapolis should he get the job offer.

Good on the Vikings organization for doing their due diligence with other candidates but if Jim Harbaugh, who has one of the best winning percentages in NFL history, wants to make Minnesota his new NFL home then you have no choice but to take advantage of such an opportunity.

Next up: Jim Harbaugh, who heads to Minnesota with confidence that he’ll land the job. Time will tell. https://t.co/Eni6jKQAfk
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 2, 2022

Detroit News @chengelis spoke to Deon Johnson, whose son William is highly rated incoming Michigan frosh. Deon said Jim Harbaugh spoke to son Monday on maybe going to NFL 1/2 “He told William he was definitely looking & if an opportunity came up, he was probably going to take it”
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) February 2, 2022

Detroit News quote from @chengelis 2/2 “(Harbaugh) told him he felt the team was gonna be good, they’re gonna win a lot of ballgames, they’re gonna do a lot of good things But he wants to chase a Super Bowl That’s one of the things on his list is to be a Super Bowl-winning coach”
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) February 2, 2022

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Vikings to Officially Interview Harbaugh, Graham

Eric Strack — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 02:53:49 +0000

To college football fans across the country, Wednesday is a big deal. It’s National Signing Day. But Jim Harbaugh’s won’t be in Ann Arbor to watch the fax machine. Instead, he’s reportedly scheduled to interview in Eagan with the Minnesota Vikings for their vacant head coaching job.

The #Vikings plan to fly in Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for an interview Wednesday in Minnesota, per sources.

The sides spoke Saturday to gauge Harbaugh’s interest in the head coaching job. Now, another big step towards Harbaugh potentially returning to the NFL.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 1, 2022

Per source, New York Giants DC Pat Graham will be in Minnesota on Tuesday for his second interview with the Vikings. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh will interview in Minnesota son on Wednesday.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) February 1, 2022

If Harbaugh’s future plans included Michigan, it’s hard to imagine he’d take a trip to Minnesota on National Signing Day. Does that mean Jim is the favorite? Maybe not, but it likely means he’ll jump to the NFL whether it’s for the Vikings job or a different one.

Ryans Out, Graham Back In

Earlier on Monday, it was widely accepted that the Wilfs and Adofo-Mensah had narrowed their list of candidates to four. The finalists were Kevin O’Connell, Raheem Morris, Jim Harbaugh and DeMeco Ryans. That was until this evening, when it was reported that Ryans had dropped out of the running. New York Giants defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, who had his first interview via Zoom over the weekend, is back in the race.