Happy Tuesday and happy first day of February, everyone!
Let's get right to it.
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Good morning to everyone but especially to...
Getty ImagesTHE MINNESOTA VIKINGS
There are five NFL head-coach openings left, and one in particular has reportedly piqued the interest of Jim Harbaugh. Let our NFL experts Cody Benjamin and Jeff Kerr explain:
Benjamin & Kerr: "Harbaugh showed legitimate interest in Minnesota's head coaching job during his interview with the team. The Vikings left the interview feeling Harbaugh is ready to make his return to the NFL and is in the mix for the job. ... Cleaning house after the 2021 season, the Vikings could be looking to reunite [Kwesi] Adofo-Mensah with Harbaugh, who worked alongside the new GM in San Francisco."If that wasn't enough, according to a report Monday, Harbaugh is flying to Minnesota to interview with Vikings' brass on Wednesday -- which just so happens to be National Signing Day for college football! (So awkward for Michigan, right?)
From 2011-14, Harbaugh led the 49ers to a 44-19-1 record (fourth-best in the NFL over that span) and a Super Bowl appearance. He's coming off a 12-2 season and a College Football Playoff appearance with Michigan, helping re-establish his alma mater as a premier program.
I think Harbaugh is a really good coach, and that's part of what helped the Vikings earn the top spot this morning. The other part is that this speaks highly of the Vikings. Harbaugh hasn't shown interest in an NFL return since leaving the 49ers, and I don't think he would return to a place he didn't think could be competitive. So let's remember:
The Vikings have superstars in Dalvin Cook and Justin JeffersonA solid quarterback in Kirk CousinsA stud defensive lineman in Danielle HunterMinnesota led at some point in 15 of their 17 games this season. Eight of their nine losses were by one possession, and the one that wasn't was a game Cousins missedMinnesota is not a Super Bowl contender, but they're not at all far away from being a solid playoff team. There's a long way for both sides to go when it comes to the team hiring Harbaugh, but today's developments should have Vikings fans feeling good.
Honorable mentions
And not such a good morning for...
Getty ImagesTHE AUBURN TIGERS
Auburn is coming off its first sub-.500 season since 2012, and head coach Bryan Harsin's second offseason on The Plains isn't looking good, either. Offensive coordinator Austin Davis, hired in December of 2021, has resigned for "personal reasons." Austin was hired to replace Mike Bobo, who only lasted one year with the Tigers. This also comes less than a week after defensive coordinator Derek Mason left for the same position at Oklahoma State.
Long story short, Auburn is a mess right now, and Harsin is in trouble, writes our college football reporter Barrett Sallee.
Sallee: "Athletic director Allen Greene hand-picked Harsin after a two-week saga that began after fan uproar over the potential hiring of former defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. Since then, Harsin dismissed wide receivers coach Cornelius Williams before the end of September and Bobo following an offensive regression over the final month of the season. Multiple players have entered the transfer portal, including three-year starting quarterback Bo Nix... Auburn's program is spiraling out of control faster than the eagle mascot pounces on its prey."
