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Top 10 Jim Harbaugh Blow-Ups

Written by Jeremy

During coaching stints with Stanford University, the San Fracisco 49ers, and University of Michigan, Jim Harbaugh has cemented his reputation as one of football’s fiercest coaches.

Perhaps fierce doesn’t cover it as Harbaugh occasionally loses his marbles over missed calls and player mistakes.

It’s this attitude that earned Harbaugh a pink slip with the 49ers.

But it’s not like he’s hurting, though, becoming college football’s highest-paid coach with Michigan at $9 million per year.

But even when earning $9 million per year, Harbaugh is just as angry as ever. That said, let’s look at 10 of his angriest coaching blow-ups over the years.

1. Harbaugh is “Bitterly Disappointed” with Referees

Following a narrow 30-27 overtime loss to Ohio State in 2016, Jim Harbaugh felt the difference was the officials.

He took particular offense to the spot on J.T. Barrett’s fourth-down conversion run, and pass interference that wasn’t called against Ohio State. Here’s a look at what he had to say:

2. Harbaugh Smashes Headset in OSU Game

After seeing offsides called on Michigan, where it looked like Ohio State should’ve been penalized, Harbaugh went berserk and smashed his headset down.

The referees weren’t happy with his reaction and gave him a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. As you can see at the end of the video, his headset isn’t in great shape afterward.

3. Cowherd Hangs up on Harbuagh

Prior to his first season with Michigan, Harbaugh did a phone interview with Colin Cowherd. And while it wasn’t a blow-up per say, Harbaugh wasn’t in the greatest mood, offering 2 and 3-word answers to Cowherd’s questions.

Here’s what transpired just before Cowherd hung up:

Cowherd: “You’re not a rear-view mirror guy, it doesn’t seem like, you kind of forge your way.

Harbaugh: “This feels like one of those where you ask like 50 questions…”

Cowherd: “Well you’re giving me slow, you’re not giving me a ton to work with coach, so I just want to find something out about Jim Harbaugh the human being. I’m a player right now and I want to play for a bunch of schools, I’m listening to Jim Harbaugh. I want to play for Jim!”

Harbaugh: “Do you have any eligibility Colin?”

Cowherd: “No, and I can’t play worth a damn but what I’m saying is I’m trying to… I want Jim Harbaugh the guy. Because I bring all these coaches on and I want the guy. I mean what, what…. I’m a wide receiver, why should I play at Michigan?”

Harbaugh: “You are?”

Luckily, as you can see here, the two patched things up afterward.

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4. Harbaugh Not Happy with Refs in Super Bowl XLVII

In 2013, Harbaugh led San Francisco to Super Bowl XLVII, facing off against brother John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens. It was a close game, with Baltimore prevailing 34-31, and Harbaugh wasn’t happy in the aftermath.

He was particularly incensed with a possible holding call as Michael Crabtree tried getting open in the end zone. Harbaugh appeared to have a point, but the call wasn’t made and San Francisco lost.

5. Harbaugh Has Social Media Spat with Jim Rome

Here’s two guys colliding who have no trouble being involved in controversy. In response to Point #8 on this list, Jim Rome defended the reporters involved:

“Maybe you forgot over the summer that it’s their job to cover your team, not asking you what your favorite Drake album is,” wrote Rome. “Just like they’re not there to write another tired story about your latest throwback jersey, or your Wal-Mart khakis, or your latest shirtless photo from satellite camp, or another (attack) on the SEC.”

Here’s the exchange between Harbaugh and Rome that occurred afterward:

6. Throws Shade at OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith

Never one to let anything go, Harbaugh caught wind that Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith hinted that Michigan wasn’t totally on the same level as OSU.

Here’s how Harbaugh responded to the perceived slight, referencing the scandal where certain Buckeyes sold memorabilia at a local tattoo parlor.

7. Harbaugh vs. Trent Baalke

There are no videos of angry conversations held between Jim Harbaugh and San Francisco GM Trent Baalke. But we do know that the relationship ended badly for the former racquetball buddies.

A source said that Harbaugh and Baalke vehemently clashed over personnel decisions, ending any chance to repair their working relationship. Here’s a paragraph regarding the unnamed source:

“But that changed a couple weeks ago when an undisclosed incident or series of interactions occurred that irreparably tore at the trust that must exist between a coach and general manager. (The source would not disclose the specifics of the disagreement.)”

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8. Don’t Ask Harbaugh About Players Missing from a Team Photo

Prior to the 2016 college football season, Harbaugh was asked about three players who were missing from the team photo. He admitted that they’d been suspended, but the 52-year-old coach got testy when pressed on the matter.

It was later revealed that the three players were true freshmen Ahmir Mitchell and Kareem Walker, along with redshirt freshman Shelton Johnson. But Harbaugh wasn’t giving up this information, later storming off the interview set.

 

9. Harbaugh Throws Headset after Roughing Penalty vs Penn State

Harbaugh is never one to relax, even when coasting to a 28-16 victory. In 2015, the No. 12 Wolverines drew a roughing the kicker penalty against Penn State.

But this was controversial because the punter had taken multiple steps and was a borderline ball carrier. Harbaugh thought it was more than controversial, ripping his headset off, tossing it, and screaming at the refs.

The good news is that linebacker Joe Bolden told reporters that Harbaugh’s emotions got players fired up. “It’s a great feeling to have a guy who is so passionate about the game and about his players,” said Bolden.

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10. Shirtless Harbaugh Blows Up Internet

This Harbaugh blow-up isn’t attributed to his temper, but rather the pandemonium he caused when photographed shirtless in a pickup game of “Peru Ball.”

Sort of looks like Al Bundy from Married with Children…

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