The Vikings take the next step of hiring Jim Harbaugh as head coach

The Minnesota Vikings are one step closer to hiring Jim Harbaugh with the Michigan head coach flying in for an interview this week.

If Jim Harbaugh is going to return to the NFL, it looks like it will be purple.

Harbaugh will be interviewed by Vikings on Wednesday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

“Parties spoke on Saturday to gauge Harbaugh’s interest in the head coach job,” Pelissero tweeted. “Now, another big step for Harbaugh is potentially returning to the NFL.”

Jim Harbaugh will interview with Vikings on Wednesday

The timing of Harbaugh’s interview is interesting from a college football perspective. The Wolverines head coach will head to Minneapolis to try to get another job on Signing Day, when potential recruits will sign letters expressing their national intentions.

The possibility of Harbaugh leaving for the NFL after leading the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff has been raised for weeks now. Those employed were aware of that risk.

It’s unclear how serious Minnesota is in its pursuit of Harbaugh. He’s undeniably succeeded with the 49ers, making three NFC title games in four seasons. He’s been out of the league since 2014 when he parted ways with San Francisco after the 8-8 campaign.

The group of coaches competing for the job has shrunk a bit. Pelissero added that 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has decided to stay at his current gig and declined a second interview.

That would make the Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham as other candidates for the job.

Vikings and Michigan fans should be on high alert. This process is starting to heat up.