[News] John Harbaugh: I'm Not Very Good At Halftime Interviews

[BR News]

Head Coach John Harbaugh had a laugh with Comcast’s Brent Harris during today’s media session.

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[Bobby]

Good to see both Harbaugh and Harris get past that little incident and move on. It was not really all that big of a deal, but I believe Harbs is not pleased he lost his temper and the two of them making some jokes shows it is in the past. Good on them.

[mc_red23]

I can understand it from Harbaugh's perspective. He's just seen something that has majorly pissed him off and he's set to give the team a bollocking in the locker room so the last thing he's in the mood for is questions about the stuff he's pissed off about. Harris has a job to do though and it's clear that Harbaugh respects that.

[manofsteel]

Stupid questions gets stupid answers, my mammma always said!

[Postapocalypse Raven]

Not a very good representation of the first class organization that we so often claim to be Harbaugh, and from what I understand from other members of our own local media this was not an isolated incident. Brent Harris was only doing his job, and you were rude and just down right ignorant to him. Not a very good look John, and you should apologize to him.

[salamander]

Smartest thing Harbaugh could have done was address the halftime impatient, frustrated interview with Harris head on. Over and done. I think the F word was actually "freaking" or maybe even "fiddlesticks"? (Just trying to have your back John but not sure if anyone will buy it).

Edited September 1, 2015 by salamander

[hen826957]

Why people care about this? Now I guess people thinks he a mean coach all around the NFL and the media. Everybody hates Harbaugh now thanks media LOL. He's was upset at halftime and it's totally understandable at my part.

[fusuymada]

I know media outlets want access and they pay big bucks in fees and blah blah blah. But Harbs is right when he says he is thinking team, halftime adjustments and other things (which is what he is paid to do) and right before halftime is a major distraction and clearly provides nothing. Why not wait til after halftime, do the interview after Harbs has had his say with the players, can ratchet down his intensity a bit and provide a better product all around. You guys are media experts and I have to tell you this?!?

Edited August 31, 2015 by fusuymada

[TheSim]

Gotta laugh at all the Pats media going after him for this, as if their coach hasn't been the king of disrespect for over a decade, when it comes to how he treats their reporters. Harbaugh gets heated and too candid at times, but he at least answers most questions with as much detail as he feels is appropriate. Belicheck on the other hand engages in a deliberate attempt to get the media to stop asking him any questions whatsoever, as if somehow the public's interest in his football team is irrelevant.

[RavensBaltimore]

I heard the interview live, and I thought it was hilarious. Sometimes reporters do ask obvious, kind of ridiculous questions, like, "So what do you think about giving up that TD at the end of the half?" While I understand it's part of their job, I also understand that coaches and players are amped up in the moment and aren't in the mood to give an elaborate answer to a simple question with an obvious answer. If people want to be self righteous and criticize Harbaugh for being rude and disrespectful, they're free to do that, but to me, it doesn't make Harbaugh look like a bad guy. He was just giving his real, honest, in the moment, smart alec reaction, and I thought it was great.

[WNC-Raven]

I may be alone here but I could care less about the media and their "feelings" getting hurt. I watch football for the football. I'm sure all the fantasy players out there want to know as much information as they can get. Personally I dont really care. I enjoy reading articles but in those situations where the team is holding back I feel they should do whats best for the team and not the fans. The guys on 107the fan are the worst concerning this. That Coleman dude acts like it's a privilege for them to talk to him. Give me a break. So self entitled. Marshawn Lynch just proved the media doesnt matter when he signed his new 10mil a year contract

[catgirl54]

I personally did not think it was cool for him to run out and confront Gruden, and I really had to laugh at the lie about which "F" word he used! We all saw it. However, about the media...his brother has always been a total jerk to the media and they can't get enough of him. He's not even in the NFL anymore and they keep talking about him. And Belichick won't say anything but a grunt in response to any question. Maybe it's because they expect more of Harbaugh? He's more polished than those two, more into the Pentagon-speak of the NFL, so it seems out of character.

[Postapocalypse Raven]

"After giving him intentionally terse non-answers, Harbaugh said, "Give me a good question and I'll answer it."

 

As Harris thanked Harbaugh for the interview, the Ravens coach walked away and then looked back to give Harris an extra smirk."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/z-on-tv-blog/bal-john-harbaugh-jerk-brent-harris-interview-20150830-story.html

 

Way to keep it professional Brent! Being upset is no excuse to treat people poorly.

[AZRaven520]

Gotta admit that interview was a little awkward to watch.

That being said I saw it as him being angry about the team giving up scores before the half. The questions that were asked seemed a little awful, I mean what did they expect him to say. He did say in the last game that he gets fed up when our team gives scores at the half.

I didn't like the fact that reporters were going after Harbaugh for this. I saw one that said he was trying to intimidate the sideline reporter. Pretty funny way to look at it.

[RavensFootballFan]

 

"After giving him intentionally terse non-answers, Harbaugh said, "Give me a good question and I'll answer it."

 

As Harris thanked Harbaugh for the interview, the Ravens coach walked away and then looked back to give Harris an extra smirk."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/z-on-tv-blog/bal-john-harbaugh-jerk-brent-harris-interview-20150830-story.html

 

Way to keep it professional Brent! Being upset is no excuse to treat people poorly.

 

 

It should go both ways, a reporter knows what is going on and should have a feel of what to ask or not to ask, depending on the game. A post game interview at least 10 mins after the game is a big difference than within seconds after end of 2nd quarter. Reporters knows full well the human nature of coaches during a game and I think Harris ignored Harbaugh's human side and went for the jugular with a question he knew in advance could possibly set Harbaugh off. Why not ask "Your thoughts coach?" rather than asking about a fight and what he said to Gruden in the middle of a heated football game. It goes both ways, not a one way street. Asking any human being a provocative question knowing they are not in the proper mind frame to answer politely is a lack of consideration of the other person's mind frame. Toying with people's emotions for ratings is not a cool thing to do. 

Edited September 1, 2015 by RavensFootballFan

[harfordravenfan]

Personally, I have no problem with John's reply in such situations... Love his passion and he still followed up with admission and that he'd work on it. Would you rather someone with a big smile on their face and not a care in the world after the team gets man handled?

[Postapocalypse Raven]

It should go both ways, a reporter knows what is going on and should have a feel of what to ask or not to ask, depending on the game. A post game interview at least 10 mins after the game is a big difference than within seconds after end of 2nd quarter. Reporters knows full well the human nature of coaches during a game and I think Harris ignored Harbaugh's human side and went for the jugular with a question he knew in advance could possibly set Harbaugh off. Why not ask "Your thoughts coach?" rather than asking about a fight and what he said to Gruden in the middle of a heated football game. It goes both ways, not a one way street. Asking any human being a provocative question knowing they are not in the proper mind frame to answer politely is looking for cheap sound bites/trouble.

If Harbaugh didn't like the question then all he had to do is say "next question." I didn't find anything wrong with Brents questions at all. I'm sure most of us would like to know what he said to Gruden. It wasn't necessary for Harbaugh to belittle, or humiliate Brent for no reason. Harbaugh was completely unprofessional, and handled himself quite poorly. He also has a reputation of doing this to other Ravens media staffers as well. There's no excuse for it. Just say next question and keep it moving. Keep it pro bro. I'll guarantee you that Steve Bisciotti and Dick Cass are not patting John on the back right now and saying "way to represent."

Edited September 1, 2015 by Postapocalypse Raven

[RavensFootballFan]

If Harbaugh didn't like the question then all he had to do is say "next question." I didn't find anything wrong with Brents questions at all. I'm sure most of us would like to know what he said to Gruden. It wasn't necessary for Harbaugh to belittle, or humiliate Brent for no reason. Harbaugh was completely unprofessional, and handled himself quite poorly. He also has a reputation of doing this to other Ravens media staffers as well. There's no excuse for it. Just say next question and keep it moving. Keep it pro bro. I'll guarantee you that Steve Bisciotti and Dick Cass are not patting John on the back right now and saying "way to represent."

 

"Give me a good question and I’ll be glad to answer it.” is coach speak to "Next question". Harris knew full well what was going on and tried to take advantage of Harbaugh's emotions. A thoughtful reporter, especially a reporter for the home team would reserve those kind of questions for post game press conference when a coach calms down, not in the middle of a heated football game with a coach who has every right to be upset at his team as well as what the Redskins did to Aiken. Harris was more concern with TMZ like questions that has nothing to do with the actual play of Ravens players during the first half of the game. Anybody thinking otherwise should go to gossip web sites instead of reading about the actual game itself. Harbaugh did not humiliate Harris, Harris tried to toy with Harbaugh's emotions for ratings, asking a question reserved for post game, not immediately after 2nd quarter where the coach's mind frame is on high emotions. You saw Harris smirking after the interview, he knew he got a TMZ like story and he was enjoying every second of it. I am willing to bet that Bisciotti and Cass backed up Harbaugh 100%. Am sure the players back up Harbaugh 100% too. I back up Harbaugh 100% and am sure plenty of Ravens fans do so too. Look at the reactions after the interview, a smiling and smirking Harris and an obviously upset Harbaugh tells me that Harris was happy with the outcome. 

[Crusader]

No john its the dumb questioned your asked. They should get their money back from that jurnalist school. Too bad you just can't punch them in the kisser when they asked you "Hows

it feel to lose?"

[Purpleghost23]

The only bombs i a wanna see are from flAcco and breshard connection

[Postapocalypse Raven]

"Give me a good question and I’ll be glad to answer it.” is coach speak to "Next question". Harris knew full well what was going on and tried to take advantage of Harbaugh's emotions.

Lol... no it isn't. That's coach speech for acting like a jerk, and what's this about taking advantage of Harbaugh's emotions??? You think they're going on their first date or something??? Harb's is a grown man isn't he? If Harbaugh's skin isn't thick enough to take questions from reporters by know then he's in the wrong business. Did I mention that Brent's questions were perfectly fine, and even if they weren't that's still no excuse for John to behave the way that he did. Unpro... and I expect better from a head coach as good as John is. 

 

A thoughtful reporter, especially a reporter for the home team would reserve those kind of questions for post game press conference when a coach calms down, not in the middle of a heated football game with a coach who has every right to be upset at his team as well as what the Redskins did to Aiken. 

If you thought his questions were so bad then there would never really be an appropriate time to ask them at all. Not even at the end of the game. It's not a reporters job to be "thoughtful", it's their job to get answers to the questions that people want to know. There's a term used when referring to "thoughtful reporters" it's called "unemployed."

 

Harris was more concern with TMZ like questions that has nothing to do with the actual play of Ravens players during the first half of the game. Anybody thinking otherwise should go to gossip web sites instead of reading about the actual game itself.

Also not true. The point at which Harbaugh walked away and glared at Harris the question asked was in fact a football question. If Harbaugh was so confident that he behaved appropriately then he never would have come out today and stated in a press conference that he's no good at half time interviews. Even Harbaugh basically admits that he was wrong.

 

Harbaugh did not humiliate Harris, 

Your right he didn't, but he most certainly tried to, and I commend Brent for being the bigger man.

 

Harris tried to toy with Harbaugh's emotions for ratings, asking a question reserved for post game, not immediately after 2nd quarter where the coach's mind frame is on high emotions. You saw Harris smirking after the interview, he knew he got a TMZ like story and he was enjoying every second of it. 

Ratings for what exactly? Ravens talk??? Or do you mean he's just trying to get a little recognition for himself by trying to ruffle John's feathers a little bit. Either way a better professional would have handled the situation appropriately.... John didn't.

 

I am willing to bet that Bisciotti and Cass backed up Harbaugh 100%. 

Even if they did the only problem you'd have with that is that neither of them would be stupid enough to publicly admit it, so either way... I win.

 

Am sure the players back up Harbaugh 100% too. I back up Harbaugh 100% 

Well... I would expect as much from the players, and yourself for that matter, but from a top five NFL head coach I expect a little bit more.

 

and am sure plenty of Ravens fans do so too. 

And there are plenty that don't.

 

Look at the reactions after the interview, a smiling and smirking Harris and an obviously upset Harbaugh tells me that Harris was happy with the outcome. 

Awww... Poor widdle Harbaugh got upset by Big Bad Brent's questions. If that's all it takes to get that type of reaction out of him then maybe instead of being a top five coach he needs to start working on being a top three coach, or maybe even #1. Maybe then he'll get all of the softball questions from the reporters, but until then I would suggest having a thicker skin and treat other people the same way he would like to be treated.

Edited September 1, 2015 by Postapocalypse Raven

[RavensFootballFan]

Lol... no it isn't. That's coach speech for acting like a jerk, and what's this about taking advantage of Harbaugh's emotions??? You think they're going on their first date or something??? Harb's is a grown man isn't he? If Harbaugh's skin isn't thick enough to take questions from reporters by know then he's in the wrong business. Did I mention that Brent's questions were perfectly fine, and even if they weren't that's still no excuse for John to behave the way that he did. Unpro... and I expect better from a head coach as good as John is. 

 

If you thought his questions were so bad then there would never really be an appropriate time to ask them at all. Not even at the end of the game. It's not a reporters job to be "thoughtful", it's their job to get answers to the questions that people want to know. There's a term used when referring to "thoughtful reporters" it's called "unemployed."

 

Also not true. The point at which Harbaugh walked away and glared at Harris the question asked was in fact a football question. If Harbaugh was so confident that he behaved appropriately then he never would have come out today and stated in a press conference that he's no good at half time interviews. Even Harbaugh basically admits that he was wrong.

 

Your right he didn't, but he most certainly tried to, and I commend Brent for being the bigger man.

 

Ratings for what exactly? Ravens talk??? Or do you mean he's just trying to get a little recognition for himself by trying to ruffle John's feathers a little bit. Either way a better professional would have handled the situation appropriately.... John didn't.

 

Even if they did the only problem you'd have with that is that neither of them would be stupid enough to publicly admit it, so either way... I win.

 

Well... I would expect as much from the players, and yourself for that matter, but from a top five NFL head coach I expect a little bit more.

 

And there are plenty that don't.

 

Awww... Poor widdle Harbaugh got upset by Big Bad Brent's questions. If that's all it takes to get that type of reaction out of him then maybe instead of being a top five coach he needs to start working on being a top three coach, or maybe even #1. Maybe then he'll get all of the softball questions from the reporters, but until then I would suggest having a thicker skin and treat other people the same way he would like to be treated.

 

Your opinions while I respect them are in the very small minority among Ravens fans. Too much PC/rhetoric from your part overlooked what occurred. It is obvious you're trying to rattle the cage with a bunch of baloney. You and Brent Harris would make a cute couple. Nice chatting with you. Have a good week. 

[Crusader]

I love it were not talking about Brady and the cheats. Here is a great idea how about interviews after halftime after he takes it out on the players? Blaming John for being human is asinine.

[stixfix69]

This team is still blessed with the lack of serious inures to our key players and backups....Harbs practices these guys hard for a reason, so their body and mind are up to the challenges that face them on a daily basis....

[ravenpic]

You can throw salt on the wounds or you can ask pertinent questions about the positives. We all saw what happened. I was more interested if John was happy with the play of his starters and what he was going to tell his team at halftime. Instead of reiterating about a heated exchange with his rival after a dirty hit. Harbaugh set the tone. I liked what I heard from John.

[Fastfingers]

All NFL coaches get hit with tough questions at the wrong time. This reminded me of the interview of Packers coach Vince Lombardi after winning Super Bowl 1. The question everyone wanted answered was "How good were the AFL Champion Kansas City Chiefs?" I felt at the time of the interview that Vince really didn't want to answer but reluctantly he said "about as good as Detroit" who finished 4-9-1 tied for last in the west. The answer Vince gave may have been different if he had been asked at halftime when the Packers were only ahead 14-10. Harbaugh was smart for not responding. He was obviously steamed at the time. 

[Rat]

I read Mike Preston's article about Coach......he, IMHO ripped our coach.

For the record, I love Coach's passion. For our local paper ( The Sun) to write that article is a disgrace....they're just looking to start trouble.....like we don't have enough.

My guess is that Mike Preston never played or coached in his life......so Mike...[hush].

Go coach...go Ravens....

[RavenManiac#7]

I make it a point not to read Mike Preston's column. I think that he has Never been positive about our team and I don't think that he has experience playing sports. I have no inside knowledge of that. It's just something I came to believe when I Used to read his observations. I certainly realize I could be wrong but it just never seemed like he wrote from any kind of experience. He seems like a very negative kind of person who seems to like to start controversy. I just avoid him.

[January J]

Lol... no it isn't. That's coach speech for acting like a jerk, and what's this about taking advantage of Harbaugh's emotions??? You think they're going on their first date or something??? Harb's is a grown man isn't he? If Harbaugh's skin isn't thick enough to take questions from reporters by know then he's in the wrong business. Did I mention that Brent's questions were perfectly fine, and even if they weren't that's still no excuse for John to behave the way that he did. Unpro... and I expect better from a head coach as good as John is.

If you thought his questions were so bad then there would never really be an appropriate time to ask them at all. Not even at the end of the game. It's not a reporters job to be "thoughtful", it's their job to get answers to the questions that people want to know. There's a term used when referring to "thoughtful reporters" it's called "unemployed."

Also not true. The point at which Harbaugh walked away and glared at Harris the question asked was in fact a football question. If Harbaugh was so confident that he behaved appropriately then he never would have come out today and stated in a press conference that he's no good at half time interviews. Even Harbaugh basically admits that he was wrong.

Your right he didn't, but he most certainly tried to, and I commend Brent for being the bigger man.

Ratings for what exactly? Ravens talk??? Or do you mean he's just trying to get a little recognition for himself by trying to ruffle John's feathers a little bit. Either way a better professional would have handled the situation appropriately.... John didn't.

Even if they did the only problem you'd have with that is that neither of them would be stupid enough to publicly admit it, so either way... I win.

Well... I would expect as much from the players, and yourself for that matter, but from a top five NFL head coach I expect a little bit more.

And there are plenty that don't.

Awww... Poor widdle Harbaugh got upset by Big Bad Brent's questions. If that's all it takes to get that type of reaction out of him then maybe instead of being a top five coach he needs to start working on being a top three coach, or maybe even #1. Maybe then he'll get all of the softball questions from the reporters, but until then I would suggest having a thicker skin and treat other people the same way he would like to be treated.

I think you got it backwards. If Brent Harris's skin isn't thick enough to take some Criticism during an interview then HE's in the wrong business. I think harbaugh definitely could have handled it differently but he was obviously shaken up. I commend him for not always giving the same cliche fake answers. When he's pissed off he let's you know it. I did feel bad for the guy and was glad that harbaugh halfway apologized. Harris also said they had a long private conversation and everything's good now.

[riseNConquer81]

Lol... no it isn't. That's coach speech for acting like a jerk, and what's this about taking advantage of Harbaugh's emotions??? You think they're going on their first date or something??? Harb's is a grown man isn't he? If Harbaugh's skin isn't thick enough to take questions from reporters by know then he's in the wrong business. Did I mention that Brent's questions were perfectly fine, and even if they weren't that's still no excuse for John to behave the way that he did. Unpro... and I expect better from a head coach as good as John is.

his questions weren't "fine."

they were dumb(er than inteview questions usually are) and came with simple, obvious answers that didnt require Harbaugh to figure out.

It was fairly apparent that Harris planned on filling the whole half time interview with chatter about the fight and had no backup plan once he was denied. That's lazy journalism, and he should be criticized for it. It's not Harbaugh's or anyone else's job to jump through hoops trying to turn stupid questions from unprepared reporters into rocket science.

Edited September 1, 2015 by riseNConquer81