Missouri HC takes Jim Harbaugh to task for calling Michigan 'America's Team'

In the wake of a sign-stealing scandal that rocked Michigan and led to the subsequent suspension of head coach Jim Harbaugh, he recently dubbed the program "America's Team." Unsurprisingly, Harbaugh's choice to bestow his team with the moniker didn't sit right with many, including Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz. 

Following No. 9 Missouri's 48-14 drubbing of Arkansas, Drinkwitz threw some shade at Harbaugh without mentioning him or the school. 

"Earlier in the week I heard a coach talk about being America's team, and I don't know about all that conversation," Drinkwitz said via Brandon Marcello of 247Sports. "They've got so many different good things going for them. Some good, some maybe they stole illegally." 

Drinkwitz went on to explain why Missouri, and not Michigan, deserved to be called "America's Team." 

First, he pointed out that underdogs built the Missouri team. Drinkwitz singled out running back Cody Schrader, a Division II transfer now leading the SEC in rushing and QB Brady Cook, who he said had been "fighting his whole life" for the opportunity he has now. 

"We're the story that people should really be proud to be behind," Drinkwitz said. "I'm just proud to coach this football team and it ain't about me. It's really about building a brotherhood, those guys coming together, those coaches in there coaching their butt off for each other. That's what America is all about: people coming together." 

Drinkwitz's "us against them" coach speak, and gruff response to Harbaugh aren't surprising. In September, he aggressively defended Cook, who had been the target of boos following a slow start in Missouri's upset win over Kansas State. An agitated Drinkwitz wondered aloud why reporters continued to ask questions meant for him to defend Cooks' play, adding, "Quit asking me about it." 

Supporting his players doesn't disqualify Missouri from being "America's Team," but poor sportsmanship might. Shortly before Drinkwitz's comments, his team engaged in an on-field brawl with Arkansas, leading to three ejections.