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Analyst calls Santa Ono a “fan” of Jim Harbaugh

Here is what Finebaum said about Santa Ono and Jim Harbaugh today on ESPN.

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Michigan football, Jim Harbaugh, Santa Ono, University of Michigan, Paul Finebaum
Nov 24, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh looks up at the scoreboard during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

University of Michigan President Santa Ono, who is in his second year with U-M, is a huge fan of Michigan football and head coach Jim Harbaugh. Right now, as the school deals with scandal and more revolving around its 3rd-ranked college football program, Ono continues to step in and back those who need it, especially Harbaugh, who is currently prepping his team to face No. 9 Penn State in Happy Valley this weekend. Today, on ESPN’s ‘Get Up,’ Paul Finebaum pointed out Ono’s fandom, explaining that it may have reached the level of being a “sycophant” in his latest rant about the Wolverines.

Analyst calls Santa Ono a “sycophant” of Jim Harbaugh

A lot of Michigan football fans, perhaps even all of them, really don’t like Paul Finebaum. Why? Well, it’s probably because he almost never has anything good to say about Jim Harbaugh or his Wolverines and often takes things a bit too far when talking about the Maize and Blue.

In his latest rant on Michigan football, Santa Ono was on the receiving end of Finbaum’s take.

“The one thing Jim Harbaugh has in his favor is that the fairly new president at the university (Santa Ono) is a big Harbaugh fan — even maybe a sycophant,” Finebaum said on ESPN this morning. “The athletic director is not, though. Warde Manuel? He and Harbaugh have had a very tense relationship. I think Jim Harbaugh has to be smart enough, and he’s a really bright guy, to see the handwriting on the wall that all these things are closing in on him.”

Now, again, most Michigan football fans do not take what Paul Finebaum says too seriously, and perhaps rightfully so. Still, it’s worth noting that these are the types of things being said about the University of Michigan, Santa Ono, and Jim Harbaugh on platforms like ESPN right now. Additionally, I would say that Santa Ono’s fandom of the program and its coach are a large reason that he is so loved and adored around Ann Arbor and in the Michigan community.



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CJ has covered college athletics in paid roles for around five years, including numerous sports and beats. His most recent work revolves largely around Penn State and Michigan football and basketball as a member of the credentialed media at both schools. Right now, CJ writes for Blue by Ninety, where he also serves as the site's credentialed football reporter. He also does some credentialed basketball coverage. Previously, CJ has made stops with sites like GBMWolverine, Saturday Blitz, Steeler Nation, and more.

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