Posted by: Chris Vannini on February 4, 2013

John Harbaugh knew Jim was going to fight back.

Despite the Ravens holding a 28-6 lead in the third quarter, the 49ers stormed back and were a two-point conversion away from tying, and the Ravens got four stops inside the 10-yard line at the end to hold on for a 34-29 Super Bowl victory.

While on the NFL Network set following the win, John was sure to credit his brother.

"My thoughts are just to have unbelievable pride in our players and our coaches," John said. "Our coaches, the way they kept their poise down the stretch when that team, the San Francisco 49ers led by Jim Harbaugh, came roaring back, like you knew they would, because that's the way it's been his whole life. I've seen it every single day growing up. The competitor that he is, I knew that team would come back they did, and they did.

"That's what they're all about. So much respect for them and what they've accomplished. Jim's the best coach in the National Football League. What he's done in the last two years is just unbelievable."

John Harbaugh called coaching against his brother in the Super Bowl, "the toughest thing" he'd ever done, but said it would have been worse if only one of the brothers was coaching in the game.

And John admitted he took a few moments throughout the game to look over at his brother on the other sideline.

"I did. I did. I caught him in the huddle one time and said I don't think he's allowed in the huddle," John joked. "We have to get him out of the huddle. I saw him one time to talking to his quarterback, but he had his hand covering (his mouth), so I couldn't read his lips. I thought I'd be able to read his lips.

"I'm just proud of him. You just look over there and think, 'Hey, that's my brother, and he's coaching in the Super Bowl.'

For his part, John's nine playoff wins in his first five seasons are an NFL record. He did the Cradle of Coaches proud.

You can watch John Harbaugh's interview by clicking here.

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Chris Vannini is the lead writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered Michigan State sports for The State News, The Oakland Press and MLive.com. He writes a weekly column for the Detroit Free Press on behalf of SB Nation. Vannini lives in Big Ten country, so his foot speed is far from SEC caliber, but his pulse on coaches is hard to match. Be sure to follow @CoachingBuzz on twitter and send your feedback to chris@coachingsearch.com