For the Michigan Wolverines this week, it’s been all about coaches either taking shots at them or expressing their desire to watch them in action at IMG Academy. Earlier this week, Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema and Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio joked about meeting up for lunch in Bradenton, Florida when they go to watch the Wolverines’ practice.
The NCAA has since thrown down that the coaches would be violating rules if they were to attend the team’s open practice on Friday. so those plans were squashed. However, before that happened, another SEC coach decided to join in on the joke when Tennessee head coach Butch Jones offered his company at lunch.
Mind if I join you guys for lunch? @DantonioMark @BretBielema
— Butch Jones (@CoachButchJones) March 2, 2016
It didn’t take long for Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh to respond. He didn’t say anything to Bielema or Dantonio, but he was sure to call out Jones, saying he should by more focused on getting things at his program straight.
Suggestion to my Rocky Top colleague, rather than lunch in Florida you might spend your time and focus attending to your present team.
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) March 3, 2016
Ouch, now that was pretty harsh. I don’t know what Jones did to Harbaugh to make him react like that, but ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit seemed to enjoy it as he expressed his desire to see a game between the two teams.
Wonder if my guy Dave Brown (aka The Matchmaker for early season CFB games) can set up a tilt between @umichfootball & @Vol_Football? Be fun
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) March 4, 2016
That would probably be pretty entertaining to see. I can just imagine the press conferences between these two coaches.
There is always the possibility that these two teams could meet up in a bowl game next year, which almost happened in January. So, Herbstreit may be getting his wish at the end of the 2016 football season.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
