Illinois Coach Bret Bieliema Takes Shot At Los Angeles Chargers' Jim Harbaugh

Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh had shade thrown at him by Illinois coach Bret Bielema. Harbaugh left Michigan last season to take the coaching job with the Chargers and coach with quarterback Justin Herbert, former Oregon Duck.
Dec 1, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to quarterback Justin Herbert (10) after a victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Dec 1, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to quarterback Justin Herbert (10) after a victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh just finished his first season back in the NFL after coaching the Michigan Wolverines from 2015-2023. Harbaugh left Michigan after the Wolverines won the 2023 national championship. He now is coaching former Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert.

An old clip of Jim Harbaugh when he was coaching the San Francisco 49ers resurfaced of Harbaugh talking about cheating in sports. Michigan during their national championship run last year was under a micro-scope as they were being investigated for stealing signs illegally. 

Illinois Fighting Illini coach Bret Bielema poked some fun at Harbaugh on social media. 

Bret Bielema Throws Jab At Jim Harbaugh on Social Media

Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the first half ag
Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Bret Bielema tweeted in response to a video of Harbaugh talking about cheating in football prior to coaching at Michigan.

“If you cheat to win, then you’ve already lost,” Harbaugh said. 

Bielema took a shot at Harbaugh for leaving Michigan in the midst of all the recruiting and sign stealing allegations. Harbaugh left for the NFL, escaping further punishments from the NCAA. 

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Harbaugh Not Facing NCAA Punishments While In NFL

Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts during the game against the Houston Te
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts during the game against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines were amid controversy in the 2023 season. Harbaugh didn’t coach six of the 15 games for Michigan last season. He missed the first three games of the season due to a self-imposed ban for recruiting violations. Michigan didn’t miss a beat and won all three games. 

Harbaugh then missed the final three games of the regular season as a punishment for sign stealing that also resulted in Michigan analyst Connor Stallions resigning from his role with the team. This didn’t rattle the Wolverines who still wound up going undefeated in the regular season at 12-0. Harbaugh retuned for the Big Ten Championship, Rose Bowl, and National Championship and finished off a perfect 15-0 season.

Shortly after bringing home the national title for his alma, Harbaugh took the vacant head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers. Months after Harbaugh was hired in Los Angeles, the NCAA hit Harbaugh with a four-year show cause and one-year suspension due to recruiting violations from his time at Michigan. This won’t affect him at the NFL, but if he ever desires to return to coaching college football, Harbaugh will have to serve that suspension.

In his first year with the Chargers along with quarterback Justin Herbert under center, the Chargers went 11-6 and make the playoffs. The Chargers went 5-12 the season prior.

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Cory Pappas
CORY PAPPAS

Cory Pappas is sports writer for USC Trojans On SI and Oregon Ducks On SI. Since starting in March of 2024, he has been writing breaking news stories, game previews, game recaps, and more across College Sports, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics for Total Apex Sports. In addition to writing, Cory is also a sports data scout for Sportradar. He covers live sporting events ranging from college athletics to semi-pro and professional. Before joining the industry, Cory graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022. He ran track for Oregon's club Track and Field team. Before Oregon, he played varsity basketball and track and field in high school in Walnut Creek, CA. Cory is using his lifelong passion for sports and writing together.