According to multiple reports, Jim Harbaugh was ready to take the Minnesota Vikings head coaching job if he got a Jon Gruden-type offer: Complete control of team personnel and a $100 million contract. Apparently, that was too rich for the Vikings' blood as they never offered Harbaugh the job, and he has informed Michigan that he will return for the 2022 season. SportsLine lists UM's win total at Over/Under 9.5 for next season.
Rather strangely, Harbaugh chose to interview with the Vikings on Wednesday, which w as also National Signing Day. That's not as important as it used to be because of the early signing period, but a head coach not even on his campus on NSD is unheard of. ESPN reported that Harbaugh had been planning for his interview with the Vikings as if he was going to be hired and prepared his exit from Michigan by speaking with recruits about the possibility of his return to the NFL.
Michigan still did quite well recruiting-wise, ranking No. 9 overall via sister-site 247Sports for the Class of 2022. The top recruit was five-star cornerback Will Johnson from outside Detroit.
Harbaugh had never won a conference title in his stops at San Diego, Stanford and Michigan until last season. The Wolverines upset Ohio State in the regular-season finale for Harbaugh's first win over the Buckeyes and then crushed Iowa in the Big Te n title game before being dominated in the College Football Playoff semifinal by eventual champion Georgia.