Jim Harbaugh Vs. Jim Schwartz: No NFL Fines For Post-Game Spat

Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz's post-game spat following the 49ers' win Sunday in Detroit dominated the conversation among NFL fans, pundits and talking heads, and there's no shortage of opinions about who was right or wrong. As far as the NFL is concerned, though, it's a closed matter that won't result in any fines or punishment for either coach. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello provided the following statement to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network:

"Fortunately, there was no fighting and thus no basis for a fine," Aiello said. "However, both coaches told (NFL VP of football operations) Ray Anderson today that their postgame conduct was wrong and will not happen again. We believe their response is the correct one and that their postgame conduct going forward will be more appropriate."

In his Monday press conference, Harbaugh refused to offer an outright apology, but did admit regret in taking the focus off his team's win. From San Francisco Chronicle's Kevin Lynch: 

"No, I think there's no reason for an apology," Harbaugh said Monday. "Apologies always seem to me like excuses."

However, Harbaugh did say he will work on his handshake etiquette after games.

"Personally I will try to get better at the post game handshake and will attempt to do that," he said.

[...] "It was an unfortunate incident that took place after the game, and I take responsibility and accountability for my part in that," Harbaugh said. "The thing you feel bad about is that it takes away from what our football players did, and the game itself when you see what is being talked about today."

SB Nation's David Fucillo also attended the press conference; he reports that Harbaugh said he met with Schwartz in the tunnel after the game and will likely speak privately with the Lions coach sometime in the future, presumably to put this matter to rest once and for all.

When Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz and San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh got into a bit of a fracas on Sunday, it seems like an isolated moment of emotional outbursts.

However, a closer look around shows that there's been something bubbling beneath the surface between these two coaches for some time now.

According to the Santa Clara Press-Democrat, Schwartz was having dinner with Harbaugh during the lockout when the Lions head man inferred that there's no way the new Niners coach would be able to accomplish anything in the 2011 season.

"We were having dinner the other night and Jim Schwartz told him basically there’s no way you’re going to be able to get it done (if the lockout lasts into the summer)," John Harbaugh said. "He told him there’s no way you’re going to be able to accomplish what you need to accomplish in two weeks if this thing lasts a while. Jim just kind of bit his tongue, which is what you’ve got to do in this situation. Because there’s nothing you can do about it."

Innocuous enough on its own. But not when coupled with Harbaugh's outburst. Plus, throw in the first quarter incident on Sunday when Harbaugh tried to challenge a touchdown he wasn't allowed to challenge. He threw his red flag, which got his team penalized fifteen yards. Cameras then caught Schwartz saying what looks like "know the rules" in the direction of Harbaugh. Whether Harbaugh saw this or was informed of it at some point is unknown. But its there...

Was there bad blood brewing between the two coaches before the end-of-game outburst? Hard to tell until one of them confirms it or not. But clearly, we need the Lions and the 49ers to meet in the NFC Championship Game in order to settle everything once and for all.

For more on the 49ers, head over to Niners Nation. For more on the Lions, check out Pride Of Detroit.

There are times still photos capture the moment -- and the emotion of the situation -- better than video. Sure, a video serves its purpose and allows us all to dissect a big event almost immediately, but wait just a bit for the high-resolution stills and you'll almost always be pleasantly rewarded. Captured right, a photograph can be hilarious, poignant or more.

Ok, so this wasn't a historical event: it was two coaches acting like boys and fighting after an NFL game. But the photos from Jim Harbaugh vs. Jim Schwartz were something else. The video was good, of course, but the photos were downright hilarious.

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

All right, I see you with the double fist-pump. Still pretty timid here.

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Lineman celebrations are always fun, but still nothing terrible here -- except perhaps the peeking belly from Harbaugh.

(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Oh no...

(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Oh this is bad...

(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Okay, we're good. Just walk it out, boys.

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Boys... Boys... Settle...

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Harbaugh is peacocking. Nothing good comes from Harbaugh peacocking....

EXCEPT THIS, BABY! HATERS GONNA HATE!

Fin.

When the San Francisco 49ers saw the clock reach zero on Sunday afternoon for a victory over the Detroit Lions, head coach Jim Harbaugh enjoyed an exuberant celebration that included dancing and jumping across the middle of the field. It ended with a hand shake, more of a slap, with Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, which didn't sit well with the coach. That led Schwartz to run after Harbaugh once he left the immediate area. Schwartz had to be held back to end the confrontation.

After the game, Harbaugh told reporters that he gave Schwartz "too hard" of a handshake, but Schwartz is also known for his excessive celebrations. According to Schwartz, Harbaugh shoved him out of the way and cursed at him, but there's no way to verify the validity of his comment.

The NFL will certainly look into this situation and possibly fine Schwartz for the altercation, but this would likely be a far bigger story if it happened between two players.

For more on the 49ers, head over to Niners Nation. For more on the Lions, check out Pride Of Detroit. Follow the rest of Week 6 at SB Nation NFL.

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:

"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.

Jim Harbaugh's antics following the San Francisco 49ers win over the Lions were seen as over-the-top by Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz, and it caused a bit of a skirmish after the game. Harbaugh danced around, untucked his shirt and celebrated wildly as he headed to midfield for the postgame handshake, concluding the theatrics with an exaggerated hand-slap for Schwartz.

Following the handshake, Schwartz and Harbaugh got into a bit of a tussle, with the Lions head coach letting the 49ers head coach know he didn't appreciate the antics. Postgame handshakes are meant to be civil, and are a prim and proper thing in the NFL.

But was Harbaugh over-the-top? Should Schwartz have been mad? Remember, Schwartz has his own postgame celebration -- the big fist-pump -- and it even has its own fan page.

Boys will be boys and after an emotional game, tensions were high. It's not too big of a surprise that Schwartz took exception to Harbaugh's antics.

Jim Harbaugh is already making waves in the NFL, both with his wins and his demeanor. And it's pretty great to watch unfold. Tell me you weren't entertained watching Harbaugh dance around like a fool after his San Francisco 49ers beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday. And tell me it wasn't entertaining to see his little "skirmish" with Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz.

So what happened? Handshake was too hard, Harbaugh said.

"I was really revved up. That wasn't me, just shook his hand too hard. ... That's on me. Handshake was too hard."

This quote is the best quote. Just picture Harbaugh, all revved up and intense, muttering that he shook Schwartz's hand with too much vigor.

In reality, Schwartz was probably upset with both the public celebration right in his face and the breach of decorum following the game. Coaches are supposed to shake hands and be civil, then go celebrate. Harbaugh did it all at once.

But does it matter? Harbaugh can dance if he wants to dance, and following a huge victory, he just wanted to get down with his bad self. Next time, though, be careful with the handshake, Jim.

For more on the 49ers, head over to Niners Nation. For more on the Lions, check out Pride Of Detroit. Follow the rest of Week 6 at SB Nation NFL.