And the war of words between Jim Harbaugh and the SEC continues.
A few days after the NCAA controversial decision to ban satellite camps, the most outspoken proponent of the practice, Jim Harbaugh, absolutely lambasted the NCAA for its decision. The Michigan head coach also went after others in his profession, seemingly taking a direct shot at Ole Miss’ Hugh Freeze for his previous comments on the subject.
“You’ve got a guy sitting in a big house, making $5 million a year, saying he does not want to sacrifice his time,” Harbaugh said in an interview with SI.com. “That is not a kindred spirit to me. What most of these coaches are saying is they don’t want to work harder.”
The latter part of that quote, where Harbaugh questions Freeze’s work ethic when compared to his, not so surprisingly struck a nerve with the Rebels coach.
In an interview with ESPN‘s Mike & Mike Wednesday morning, Freeze allowed the phrasing that left him open to Harbaugh’s verbal blasts could’ve been better. That said, Freeze took exception to his Big Ten counterpart’s insinuations while at the same time praising him.
From mlive.com‘s transcription of the interview:I probably should’ve said that a little differently, but I’ll never apologize for wanting to be a father and a husband,” Freeze said when asked about vacation time. “I miss enough volleyball games (and other things), that is a priority for me. ... I think we work very hard, I don’t think working hard is an issue. If you’re asking me if I want to add more nights away from my wife and kids, I do not. That window is closing for me to be a husband and a father and I think the kids that play in our system need to see me in that role an awful lot.
“I’ve been very complimentary of coach Harbaugh and him thinking out of the box. But we’re probably not a kindred spirit in regards to making comments toward other coaches in our great profession in public forums like he has done. We’re not real kindred in that regard. But I have great respect for the way he challenges and thinks outside the box. He’s done some neat things.So, does that end this offseason’s keynote brouhaha? Given the fact that Harbaugh is involved, that seems highly doubtful -- especially as the coach continues to push the boundaries haphazardly instituted by the NCAA.