Paul Finebaum sides with Illinois' Bret Bielema in criticism of 'disingenuous fraud' Jim Harbaugh

Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Jim Harbaugh’s most consistent critic throughout his tenure at Michigan was undoubtedly ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum. So when Illinois head coach Bret Bielema opted to take a shot at Harbaugh on social media on Tuesday, Finebaum predictably piled on alongside him.

On Tuesday, Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports first reported that Michigan plans to challenge the NCAA’s decision on the Connor Stallions’ sign-stealing scandal. In a 137-page document obtained by Dellenger, Michigan outlined how they believed the NCAA “grossly overreaching” and “wildly overcharging” the program with a lack of credible evidence about the sign-stealing scheme.

This prompted Illinois head coach Bret Bielema to take to social media to rip Harbaugh for an old clip from when Harbaugh was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers where he said “If you cheat to win, then you have already lost.”

“Really…. Why did you leave? Was looking forward to playing but understand why you ran to the NFL,” wrote Bielema in a post on X. “See you in the future and can’t wait.”

Really…. Why did you leave? Was looking forward to playing but understand why you ran to the #NFL See you in the future and can’t wait #famILLy #ILL https://t.co/4y7C5ecvUA — Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) January 29, 2025

This prompted Finebaum to offer his thoughts on Bielema’s criticisms on Wednesday’s edition of The Paul Finebaum Show, echoing his sentiments and declaring that Harbaugh is a “disingenuous fraud” in his eyes.

“I’ve always liked Bret,” Finebaum said on Wednesday, transcribed by Nick Schultz of On3 Sports. “He was fun when we were together. But he is right. Harbaugh is just a disingenuous fraud about all the things he used to say. He didn’t want to face the music. By the way, Michigan didn’t really want him to stay.”

Finebaum has already established the fact that he believes Harbaugh is very much to blame for allowing the sign-stealing scandal to go on under his watch. He even went as far as to say that Harbaugh leaving college football in favor of the NFL this past season was “good for the sport”.

Despite Harbaugh having moved on from the sport and experiencing success again in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers, it sure seems like Finebaum’s negative opinions of Harbaugh’s legacy in Michigan remain.

Click here to read article