“Was there any moment you two shook hands and laughed?” Colin Cowherd prompted Urban Meyer with the question about Jim Harbaugh. The Big 10 rivalry between Meyer and Jim Harbaugh never failed to grab headlines. OSU’s blunt “the team up North” Michigan identity is enough to boil down the simmering animosity towards both programs. Add to that, in a conversation with Colin Cowherd, Urban recalls his worst Jim Harbaugh headache.

Jim Harbaugh’s arrival at the Wolverines’ den had increased the growing pains of Urban Meyer in onboarding recruits. “Right when he (Harbaugh) got to the Big Ten, it was like they were doing all this stuff,” Meyer shared on The Herd With Colin Cowherd. “They were going to Europe. They were going to IMG to have practice. They did those mini-camps all over the place and just kept pushing the envelope. And then, signing with the stars.” Harbaugh’s international trip to Europe for Spring practices was a huge success for Michigan. A perfect cocktail to grab the recruit’s eyeballs. “I mean, it was like one thing after the other.”

The players were in awe. It was an unconventional move; a trip that took nine months to plan, screaming that Michigan is a happening place. “With coach Harbaugh, whether it’s resources, time, ideas, it’s all geared toward his roster,” said former Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight. “And you feel special as a player because of that.” And that was the crux of the growing pains for Meyer and other programs.

High school players had their eyes glued to Ann Arbor. Players went to the Vatican and visited the troops, the Syrian refugee camp, the Opera, the Colosseum, and others. Harbaugh’s approach was clear: Along with the spring practices at the professional soccer club of AS Roma. The focus was on educational and cultural aspects of Europe as well. Following the trip to Europe, Harbaugh had started to sketch down about visiting South Africa or Brazil. Moreover, Michigan took trips to IMG Academy, Florida, a year prior to that. The NCAA brought down the hammer, prohibiting spring break practice trips.

Meyer continued. “And then you know you just kind of like wait a minute, is there substance here, or is this all going to am I going to have to deal with this non-stop, because my staff’s meeting with me and saying a recruit wants to go to Rome now? I’m like, hey, wait, what what are you talking about?” But the OSU remained firm about not moving outside Columbus for practice trips. “We’re good with what we do.”

Jim Harbaugh’s international plans caused a meltdown for college football coaches back then. However, Urban Meyer has a high regard for the former Michigan coach and his compelling recruiting playbook. “I think he’s obviously a hell of a football coach,” Meyer said on Harbaugh being comfortable in his own skin.

Urban Meyer harbors no ill will towards Harbaugh

Michigan’s former head coach, whose departure from Ann Arbor was wrapped in controversy, might have given Urban Meyer loads of pain while attracting recruits. However, both the college football big shots have respect for each other. The Sportscaster, in a conversation with Colin Cowherd, revealed that he has no animosity towards his longtime Big Ten rival.

“I have no ill will at all. We (Harbaugh and Meyer) got along fine. The times we were together, we shook hands, smiled, asked how the family’s doing, wished you well, and moved on. That was about it.” The duo’s episodes over the years have been kind of  ‘not-strained’. The “candy-a-s milk” comment by Harbaugh over Meyer’s preference to consume skim milk raised puzzled eyebrows.

Again, back in 2016, when the Buckeyes reigned over Michigan, 30-27, Urban again joked about it. During the press conference, Meyer received a call from his wife. After he hung up, he smiled and said, “She said bring a gallon of milk home,” subtle fun banter aimed at Jim Harbaugh.

Moreover, the analyst has deep respect for Harbaugh’s family. “I know his brother fairly well,” Meyer shared. “I met his father many times — tremendous respect for Coach Harbaugh.”