Source - Minnesota Vikings request permission to interview Jim Harbaugh for head-coaching vacancy

The Minnesota Vikings have expressed interest in hiring Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh to be the franchise's next head coach. A source told ESPN that the Vikings have requested permission to interview Harbaugh for their open head-coaching job.

Harbaugh has emerged as a candidate in part because of a strong relationship with new Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, with whom Harbaugh overlapped while he was the head coach of San Francisco 49ers. Adofo-Mensah worked in San Francisco's front office in research and development and worked with Harbaugh in 2013 and 2014.

A source told ESPN's Courtney Cronin that the relationship between Adofo-Mensah and Harbaugh is one the primary drivers of the franchise's interest in Harbaugh.

Harbaugh is coming of a rejuvenating season at Michigan, which had a spectacular 2021 season after going 2-4 in 2020. Last season, Michigan went 11-2, won a Big Ten title after authoritatively beating out nemesis Ohio State and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Harbaugh took a pay cut after the 2-4 season, as his base salary decreased from $8 million annually to $4 million. Michigan has yet to formalize any type of new agreement with Harbaugh after the rebound season in 2021.

Harbaugh spent four years as the head coach of the 49ers. He went 44-19-1 and holds the fifth best winning percentage in the history of the NFL, ahead of any active NFL coach. Harbaugh got fired after going 8-8 in 2014.