Illinois coach Bret Bielema has attempted to leave Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh alone. Harbaugh left Michigan shortly after leading the Wolverines to a national title berth.
During an episode of Pardon My Take, Bielema was asked about recurring feuds, including Harbaugh. Harbaugh was a centerpiece of the Wolverines’ dominance. After his departure, it transitioned into the fallout of the team’s sign-stealing controversy, for which Bielema publicly shunned Harbaugh.
“I have not talked to Jim,” Bielema said. “I never really had a problem with him, but it was just that moment, that scenario. Actually his strength coach, Ben Herbert … When I got let go to Arkansas, Jim hired four of my strength coaches to Michigan and that’s kind of when they made their turn. I got respect, I love his family, love his dad, they’re good people.”
Harbaugh’s original quote, dating to his NFL coaching stint during the 2010s, preached the opposite of what transpired.
“You always want to be above approach,” Harbaugh said. “Especially when you’re good because you don’t want people coming back and saying ‘Oh they’re winning because they’re cheating.’ We want to be above the approach in everything, play by the rules. If you cheat to win then you’ve already lost.”
Bielema went public after the quote resurfaced, causing a stir on ‘X.’
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“Really…. Why did you leave,” Bielema wrote. “Was looking forward to playing but understand why you ran to the NFL. See you in the future and can’t wait.”
Nevertheless, amongst many Bielema feuds, this one appears to be over for good.