Lions coach Jim Schwartz, who had to be separated from 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh following the 49ers' win at Ford Field on Sunday, explained during his post-game press conference why he was so upset. From John Niyo of the Detroit News:
Jim Schwartz Says Jim Harbaugh Shoved, Swore At Him
“I went to congratulate Coach Harbaugh and got shoved out of the way,” he said. “And then I didn’t expect an obscenity at that point. So it was a surprise to me at the end of the game.”
Later, he added, “I went to shake an opponent’s coach’s hand and obviously you win a game like that you’re excited and things like that. But there’s a protocol that goes with this league.”
It’s too bad the coaches weren’t mic’d up so we could verify Schwartz’s claim that Harbaugh swore, but as you can see in the GIF below, Harbaugh clearly didn’t take time to exchange post-game pleasantries with Schwartz. Harbaugh admitted during his post-game presser that his “handshake was too hard,” but he barely took the time to look Schwartz in the eye before giving him a forceful pat on the back:
“It was a very emotional game,” [Harbaugh] said. “I was just really revved up. I shook his hand too hard, kind of a slap-grab handshake and that was on me, just a little too hard. And then there was some chest-bumping, I think. ... I don’t know. But as I say, that was on me, the too-hard handshake.”
Schwartz had to be annoyed at losing such a close game -- including the preseason, this was Detroit’s first loss since Dec. 5, 2010 -- so it’s not surprising he took umbrage at being brushed off. His reaction may have been over the top, and it’ll almost certainly result in a fine from the NFL, but it likely earned him even more respect among Detroit’s players.
See More:
