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Jim Harbaugh Calls Florida Practice Criticism ‘Fake Outrage’
Jim Harbaugh says the criticism he received for spring practices was "fake outrage" during an interview on Wednesday.
March 16, 2016Jim Harbaugh says the criticism he received for spring practices was “fake outrage.”
Go ahead, knock Jim Harbaugh’s spring practices in Florida all you want. He stands firmly behind his decision, as he should. All Harbaugh did was devise a creative way to market his program and provide his players with a new life experience.
Some, particularly the Southeastern Conference and commissioner Greg Sankey, called foul on Harbaugh’s idea. About every argument has been made against the concept – puts too much burden on a player, presents a situation for illegal contact with recruits – you name it, it’s been used to paint a negative picture.
Regardless, Harbaugh sees right through the arguments, calling them “fake outrage” during an interview with ESPN’s ‘Mike & Mike’ on Wednesday.
“I thought it was fake outrage. I thought it wasn’t really real,” Harbaugh said. “The moral high ground of the sanctity of spring break, that’s what people chose to use as their moral stance?”
While Harbaugh certainly created the opportunity in part to further build the Michigan football brand, it also presented a chance for his team to bond.
“I’d recommend other coaches do it,” Harbaugh said.
One coach who’s backed the idea is Harbaugh’s biggest rival, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer.
“It’s creative and if it’s good for the players we’ll probably do it,” Meyer said.
