Illinois coach Bret Bielema and Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh have reignited tensions over Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal.
Bielema responded to an old video of Harbaugh discussing cheating in football. In the clip, Harbaugh stated, “If you cheat to win, then you’ve already lost.”
“Really…. Why did you leave? Was looking forward to playing but understand why you ran to the NFL,” Bielema wrote. “See you in the future and can’t wait.”
The exchange follows Tuesday’s new developments in the Michigan sign-stealing investigation that occurred during Harbaugh’s tenure.
Podcast host David Cone criticized Bielema’s comments.
“Bret Bielema, who never beat Jim Harbaugh, is wondering why Jim left to coach an NFL team where he makes more money,” Cone wrote Wednesday morning.
Harbaugh led the Chargers to the playoffs in his first NFL season back, falling to the Houston Texans 32-12 in the wild-card round.
Illinois enters its fifth season under Bielema with quarterback Luke Altmyer returning for his third year. The team retained all starters from their bowl game victory, their first in more than 10 years.
Bielema has paused his social media activity for now, though he’s maintained an active presence challenging national media perspectives since Illinois’ bowl win.
