BLOG: Coaches Getting After It
Written by: John Maroon- President Maroon PR
As we all know by now there was quite an altercation between Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach of the 49ers and Jim Schwartz, Head Coach of the Lions after the 49ers thrilling victory on Sunday. It has been the most overplayed clip on ESPN the last two days and for good reason…we don't see coaches going at it too often. Personally my favorite part was the PR guy getting in the middle of them but I digress.
There has been much debate as to who is to blame for the skirmish and it seems that a lot of media members and former players are blaming Schwartz for chasing down Harbaugh. I have to differ and suggest that San Francisco's Coach Harbaugh take a lesson from our Coach Harbaugh, his brother.
There is an old saying in sports, "act like you've been there" and that is what Jim Harbaugh didn't do. It is one thing to be excited about a win and another to be disrespectful and dismissive after that win. Clearly he barely stopped to shake hands and then shoved Schwartz out of the way. I would have reacted the same way.
The NFL decided not to fine the coaches and that seems like the right decision, but the bigger question is why does this somewhat silly ritual even exist? It is a made for TV and Photographers moment and it is usually boring. If anything ever does come out of it, it is something negative. The NFL should consider doing away with it. If the coaches want to communicate after the game they can meet in the tunnel or call from their offices in the locker room.
None of the other sports have coaches shaking hands after games and this might be a good time for the NFL to do away with the ritual and spare itself a few headaches.
