CHICAGO -- Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh stood by comments made Thursday in which he said controversy has followed former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer "everywhere he's been."
"I don't think it was anything that was new, or anything of a bombshell," Harbaugh said during Day 2 of Big Ten media days on Friday. "It's things that you all understand and have written about."
Meyer retired after last season in the wake of domestic violence allegations against former assistant coach Zach Smith.
"Urban Meyer's had a winning record. Really phenomenal record everywhere he's been," Harbaugh said on The Athletic's "The TK Show" podcast Thursday. "But also, controversy follows everywhere he's been."
Asked later Friday if his comments were premeditated to add some fuel to the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, Harbaugh answered: "It was me saying what I think."
"I don't see why people are so afraid to say what they think," he said. "Maybe that's something that's worthy to be examined."
Meyer's daughter, Nicki Meyer Dennis, responded to Harbaugh's Thursday comments on Twitter, writing:
Wait guys maybe this is a deflection strategy! Throw a little mud to avoid answering why you always lost. #RespectTheRivalry 7-OH (0-4 lol)
— Nicki Meyer Dennis (@Nicki_07) July 18, 2019
Meyer coached the Buckeyes for seven seasons and won a national title in 2014, but last season began with a three-game suspension after an investigation determined he mishandled allegations of domestic abuse against Smith.
Meyer returned and finished the regular season, but he announced his retirement Dec. 4. His final game came in the Buckeyes' 28-23 win over Washington in the Rose Bowl.
He won two national titles as head coach of the Florida Gators from 2005 to 2010, but Meyer was often criticized for the number of off-the-field incidents involving his players. During his six seasons with the Gators, 31 of his players were arrested, some on serious charges.