Jim Harbaugh isn't loved by everyone, and when he hastily concludes a press conference because of a question that he doesn't like, it makes waves around the college football world. Harbaugh famously avoided additional detail with regard to two suspended players earlier in the week and national radio host Jim Rome took Michigan's head coach to task for his behavior with the media.
Here is a transcript of Rome's comments (h/t MLive.com):
"They're never satisfied or you never answer a question? What's your deal? You suspended the players? Who are they and what did they do to get suspended? I know you think that everybody is the enemy, especially the media, but these reporters are not trying to crack into the mainframe or steal your playbook ... they're doing their job. Maybe you forgot over the summer that it's their job to cover your team, not ask you what your favorite 'Drake' album is.
"If anybody thought this was going to be a kinder, gentler Harbaugh since he went home to Ann Arbor to rescue the football program, make no mistake, it's the same exact guy. Nothing's changed. Same exact dude that got run from (San Francisco) because he was miserable, he runs way too hot and wears people hot. ... Unbelievable coach and I'm sure he'll do a great job there.
"Michigan fan will love this guy for winning, they'll love him even more if he can beat Michigan State, they'll love him more than that if he can find a way to get over Ohio State. But anybody who thinks Harbaugh is wired to grow old in that job is kidding themselves. Enjoy it while it lasts. ... This cat runs way too hot. If he can't get through an August press session, media session, when they're asking him about guys who can't get through a team photo, he's not going to last long."
Not to be outdone, Harbaugh responded on Twitter in a very Harbaugh way:
Dating back to the 2015 season, Harbaugh was involved in a well-publicized beef with radio personality Colin Cowherd, and this feels reminiscent of that back and forth. Still, Rome's comments were not without merit, as Harbaugh has been prickly with the media at times while doing his best to use the medium (especially social media) to a recruiting advantage.
It does not seem likely that Jim Harbaugh will suddenly become a teddy bear with the media, but with more and more of these issues with the local press in Ann Arbor, it is a safe bet to assume he will receive blow-back from national personalities such as Rome.
