Bret Bielema sure loves to talk tough on social media. In the past, he has criticized officials and complained about losses to Michigan football and other programs, but on Tuesday, after the University of Michigan's response to the NCAA was reported by Yahoo Sports, he unleashed a new attack on Jim Harbaugh.
For some reason, Bielema, who has never beaten Jim Harbaugh, posted on X, "Really..why did you leave? Was looking forward to playing but understand why you ran to the NFL. See you in the future and can't wait."
Really…. Why did you leave?
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) January 29, 2025
Was looking forward to playing but understand why you ran to the #NFL
See you in the future and can’t wait #famILLy #ILL https://t.co/4y7C5ecvUA
There are a few problems with that statement. Jim Harbaugh didn't run to the NFL. He left Michigan football after an undefeated season and a national championship. The Wolverines also just finished a run that included three straight Big Ten championships.
Harbaugh was never going to coach at Michigan forever. The Wolverines were lucky he gave them nine incredible seasons with just one down season.
Harbaugh could have returned. If he did, the NCAA never would levied the punishments it did against him and this whole thing would be battled out in court. The man would still be on the sidelines.
Harbaugh left because he got an insane amount of money to coach the Chargers and chase a Super Bowl. A chance Bielema could only dream about (jealous much?). Jim has already been a successful NFL head coach but lost in his only Super Bowl opportunity.
Let's also not forget that when Harbaugh left, Michigan football was on a 25-game winning streak in the Big Ten.
So I'm confident that he's not afraid of a dude who has won 56 percent of his games at Illinois after winning 46 percent of his games at Arkansas. Truly, every coach in the Big Ten probably celebrated over a bottle of scotch when they heard the news that Harbaugh was leaving.
It's easy to act tough on social media and I'm guessing Bielema meant he would see Harbaugh...around because it won't be on the field. That dude will never coach in an NFL game, unless it's as an assistant coach, just like his stint in the league after he was fired from Arkansas.