John Harbaugh on critics of Michigan & Jim Harbaugh: ‘back in your face’

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh realizes the masses doubted his team heading into the 2021 season, with a select few believing the team could have a turnaround to this degree after a 2-4 record in 2020. Still, Harbaugh has taken the high road and is moving forward instead of focusing on his naysayers. There are still goals to attain.

Michigan’s No. 2, they’re 12-1, they’re headed to the Orange Bowl to take on Georgia in the College Football Playoff — things are going well right now in Ann Arbor.

Another sign of how far this team’s come occurred on Friday afternoon, when Harbaugh was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year. Harbaugh continued to be humble, saying the award is a reflection of his staff and players, that “everybody shares in it, a rising tide lifts all ships.”

With humility flowing for Harbaugh and his Michigan team, it was his brother, Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who aired the grievances for Jim.

“Congratulations to Jim and the whole staff and the players. To be the coach of the year in college football is a pretty remarkable accomplishment,” Harbaugh said. “And to do it the way they did it this year, after being written off by so many, is a very, I don’t know — it’s a good feeling. I’m proud of him, I’m happy for him, happy for all of them. He’s always been a great coach. And for all of those who want to pile on, especially some of the local media there, there you have it. Back in your face, that’s how I look at it. He’ll never say it, but I’ll say it.”

Back in your face, indeed. It’s been a year where many pundits, and none more than Paul Finebaum, have looked incredibly foolish. It was Michigan who crushed the dreams of Ohio State this time around — Michigan who won the Big Ten Championship, Michigan who advanced to the College Football Playoff.