DETROIT – Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh can be very enthusiastic about the things he loves, and football is near the top of the list.
That enthusiasm nearly sparked a postgame brawl back in 2011 when Harbaugh, as coach of the San Francisco 49ers, got a little too rough during the handshake with then-Lions head coach Jim Schwartz.
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Harbaugh's 49ers outlasted the Lions at Ford Field by a final score of 25-19. After Matthew Stafford's final pass to Calvin Johnson fell woefully short of the 80 yards needed to tie the game, Harbaugh jumped around as if he'd won the Super Bowl. He nearly ripped off his sweatshirt in excitement while celebrating with his players.
When the two Jims met on the field, Harbaugh was still jumping around, and he slapped Schwartz's hand so hard it looked like he didn't even realize it was the Lions' head coach.
Schwartz, a fiery guy in his own right, didn't take kindly to the exchange. Having just lost a heartbreaking game at home, he couldn't have been in the most forgiving mood.
He followed Harbaugh, who was running toward the tunnel, yelling and trying to get his attention. When he finally caught up to Harbaugh, Schwartz had to be held back by several players for both teams.
Before long, both coaches and a number of players and staff members were in the midst of a mini mob.
Harbaugh was asked this week about the exchange during an episode of Barstool Sports' Pardon My Take.
"I went in too hard on that, too aggressive on the handshake," Harbaugh told Barstool Sports. "We've talked (since) and we're good. We're back to friends."
Harbaugh has a history of disagreeing with opposing coaches. When he was at Stanford, Pete Carroll was unhappy with Harbaugh's decision to go for two after a touchdown in a blowout win. Since arriving at Michigan, he's had wars of words with several coaches around the country.
He backs it up with his excellent coaching performances on the field and in recruiting. But he knows he's not perfect.
"There is a protocol in a postgame handshake," Harbaugh told Barstool Sports. "I've been there as the winner. I've been there as loser. You just (say), 'Nice game,' then go celebrate. Premature celebration there. (I was) in the wrong."