Urban Meyer opens up on his relationship with Jim Harbaugh: 'We get along fine'

There’s no love lost in the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan. Of course, that’s a rivalry that was rather one-sided in the Buckeyes’ favor when Urban Meyer was prowling the sidelines. More often than not during that era, it was Jim Harbaugh for the Wolverines who battled to get over the hump.

Naturally, that helped to spark a bit of a unique relationship between Meyer and Harbaugh. Coaching is a fraternity, but The Game is more than a rivalry. In this instance, The Game led to the two coaches being directly compared to one another.

Now, Meyer has shared some insight into their relationship during an appearance on The Herd. There, he admitted that the two get along fine, despite what the rivalry may imply. At the same time, they also didn’t become fast friends.

“You know, there wasn’t [a moment we laughed],” Urban Meyer said. “I know his brother really well. I met his father many times. Tremendous respect for Coach Harbaugh. Right when he got to the Big Ten, it was like they were doing all this stuff. They were going to Europe, they were going to IMG to have practice. They did something else — they did those mini-camps all over the place. Just kept pushing the envelope. Then, Signing with the Stars. I mean, it was like one thing after the other.”

Jim Harbaugh got to Michigan in 2015. By that time, Urban Meyer had been at Ohio State for three full seasons and had won a national championship. Immediately, Harbaugh was disruptive off the field in recruiting, but that never translated to wins on the field. At least, not against Ohio State. Meyer would go 4-0 against Harbaugh. It wouldn’t be until 2021 that Harbaugh beat Ohio State and 2023 when he got his own national championship.

“You’re just kind of like, ‘Wait a minute. Is there substance here or am I going to have to deal with this non-stop?’ Because my staff is meeting with me and saying a recruit wants to go to Rome now. ‘Hey, wait. Wait. What are we talking about?’ But when pedal hit the medal, we had to go play the games.”

Jim Harbaugh has since left for a second stint in the NFL, a place he has found success while Urban Meyer struggled. It appears he’s going to continue to succeed there too, which Meyer attributes to him being more comfortable in his own skin.

“What I think has happened is he’s very comfortable in his own skin. I think he’s obviously a hell of a football coach. He’s absolutely made for what he’s doing. So, I see the same thing, but no. To answer your question. I have no ill will at all. We get along fine. The times we were together, shook hands, smiled. ‘Hey, how’s the family doing?’ Wish you well and move on, but that was about it.”

Meyer will continue in his role as an analyst for now while Harbaugh is on the search for a Super Bowl. So, it’s hard to see them coming to truly feel a new way for one another after years of coaching head-to-head at Ohio State and Michigan.