OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In 2008, halfway by way of the Baltimore Ravens‘ information convention introducing John Harbaugh as their head coach, a reporter referred to the truth that proprietor Steve Bisciotti mentioned he was looking for the following Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame coach.
“By the best way, do you know I mentioned that?” Bisciotti mentioned with fun, patting Harbaugh on the again.
With out hesitation, Harbaugh casually responded: “Yeah, I learn that someplace.”
Now, 18 seasons later, the Ravens are searching for a brand new head coach after Harbaugh put collectively a Corridor of Fame profession in Baltimore. Harbaugh was fired Tuesday after guiding the Ravens to a Tremendous Bowl title in 2012, six AFC North titles and 193 victories, together with 13 within the postseason.
The dismissal of Harbaugh, 63, got here two days after Baltimore misplaced 26-24 on the Pittsburgh Steelers, which eradicated the Ravens from playoff rivalry for the primary time since 2021. Baltimore (8-9) additionally completed with a dropping file for the third time beneath Harbaugh, who’s the franchise’s winningest coach.
“Following a complete analysis of the season and the general route of our group, I made a decision to make a change at head coach,” Bisciotti mentioned in a press release. “This was an extremely tough determination.”
The Ravens are transferring in a special route at a time when Harbaugh did not obtain as a lot postseason success as he had earlier in his profession. Throughout his eight seasons with two-time NFL Most Beneficial Participant Lamar Jackson at quarterback, Harbaugh gained three playoff video games and by no means superior previous the AFC Championship Sport. The Ravens turned the primary preseason Tremendous Bowl favourite to not make the playoffs, in keeping with ESPN Analysis.
“Effectively, I hoped for a special sort of message on my final day right here, sometime, however that day has come right now,” Harbaugh mentioned in a press release. “It comes with disappointment definitely, however extra with gratitude and appreciation.”
The Ravens now start their first head teaching search since 2008.
Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley, nationwide NFL reporter Dan Graziano and NFL analyst Ben Solak reply all of the urgent questions within the wake of Harbaugh’s firing.
Why would the Ravens make this transfer? What different strikes might be on the horizon?
The Ravens do not make knee-jerk selections, and Bisciotti loves stability, which is clear by the very fact they’ve had three head coaches of their 30-year historical past (Brian Billick and Ted Marchibroda are the others). There was a sense by some inside the group that Harbaugh had run his course with Jackson and this core group of gamers. After guiding the Ravens to the AFC Championship Sport 3 times in his first 5 seasons, he led Baltimore to the AFC title sport solely as soon as prior to now 13 seasons.
There was additionally rising discontent amongst Ravens followers. In a season through which Baltimore recorded its worst dwelling file in workforce historical past at 3-6, there have been extra empty seats at M&T Financial institution Stadium than ever earlier than. Harbaugh was additionally booed coming off the sector after the Ravens surrendered 44 factors, essentially the most given up at dwelling throughout his tenure, in a blowout loss to the Houston Texans on Oct. 5. A brand new coach might reinvigorate the workforce’s season-ticket holders in addition to Jackson.
Although members of the teaching employees did not know their future on the time of Harbaugh’s firing, the expectation is the Ravens may have an entire makeover, particularly on offense. As one supply near Harbaugh mentioned, “It is time for a reset.” — Hensley
How a lot of a shock is that this to the locker room?
One participant summed it up as “shocked however not shocked.” After the season-ending loss in Pittsburgh, Jackson was requested whether or not he wished Harbaugh to stay as coach. Jackson declined to speak about something relating to the longer term, saying, “I am shocked proper now, and I am nonetheless making an attempt to course of what is going on on.”
Contained in the locker room in Pittsburgh, two different workforce leaders — operating again Derrick Henry and offensive deal with Ronnie Stanley — additionally declined to offer a powerful vote of confidence to Harbaugh. Each expressed their love for Harbaugh however mentioned they do not make that call.
The gamers continued to combat beneath Harbaugh even towards the top of an underachieving season, and the 41-24 win in Inexperienced Bay on Dec. 27 was an indication the workforce hadn’t give up on the coach. However, whereas cleansing out their lockers Monday, just a few gamers talked about that this workforce underperformed. — Hensley
Was Harbaugh prepared to maneuver on? Was this a mutual determination?
The Ravens made it clear that it was their determination when Bisciotti mentioned in a press release that he “determined to make a change at head coach.” However Harbaugh agreed with the choice, in keeping with the supply near the coach.
“John is at peace with the choice,” the supply mentioned. “He believes that is finest for all events.”
Towards the top of the season, Harbaugh’s tone prompt he was “at peace” every time he was requested about his job safety. In late December, Harbaugh mentioned, “I attempt to do the job, not attempt to maintain the job.”
It was a decade in the past when Harbaugh talked about he wished to turn out to be Baltimore’s Chuck Noll. Harbaugh got here near reaching Noll’s 23 years in Pittsburgh (1969-91), however a supply mentioned Harbaugh might now discover inspiration from his shut good friend Andy Reid. After 14 sturdy seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Reid loved extra success in 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Can Harbaugh’s second chapter match Reid’s? — Hensley
What’s going to this imply for Jackson and his future in Baltimore?
That is finally the most important query for Jackson and the Ravens. A workforce supply identified that it wasn’t a coincidence that the dismissal of Harbaugh got here at a time when Baltimore must get a brand new contract accomplished with Jackson, whose wage cap determine jumps to $74.5 million this offseason. A brand new coach would possibly make it simpler to get a brand new long-term deal accomplished with Jackson.
Jackson’s lack of participation in voluntary spring exercises and his new routine of sitting out one apply per week this season turned some extent of friction between Jackson and the teaching employees, the workforce supply mentioned. A brand new teaching employees would possibly be capable of reconnect with Jackson.
Jackson gained the NFL MVP award in his first seasons with a brand new offensive coordinator (2019 with Greg Roman and 2023 with Todd Monken). May a brand new head coach take Jackson to new heights? — Hensley
Who might the Ravens presumably need to substitute Harbaugh?
That is the important query. I additionally marvel who’s going to need to succeed Harbaugh in Baltimore. However I’ve to imagine possession has somebody in thoughts or it would not have accomplished this. I might search for both an offense-minded coach who has expertise with cell quarterbacks or somebody with head teaching expertise. Kliff Kingsbury, who was let go Tuesday because the Washington Commanders‘ offensive coordinator, checks each packing containers. Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores — who might be an general tone-setter in the identical manner Harbaugh was — have held NFL head teaching jobs and will theoretically match.
If the Ravens desire a first-time head coach, which Harbaugh was once they employed him way back, perhaps they’re going to have a look at Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. He has ties to former Ravens defensive coordinator and present Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald from their time collectively at Michigan. That is a speculative and partial record. I would anticipate lots of people to have an interest on this job. — Graziano
How enticing is that this job to candidates?
The Ravens do not simply have a franchise quarterback — they’ve a two-time MVP coming into his age-29 season signed by way of 2028. Purely on the power of the quarterback place, this is without doubt one of the finest jobs to open up in latest historical past, maybe edged solely by the Chargers job that Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, took simply two seasons in the past to teach Justin Herbert. Baltimore wants extra expertise at just a few spots, comparable to go rusher and offensive line, however it’s far simpler to unravel these issues than it’s to unravel the quarterback challenge. That is, with out query, the perfect job available on the market. — Solak
If he desires one, sure. The six different groups with head coach openings had been surveying a subject of candidates that most individuals across the league appear to suppose is not as promising because it has been in years previous, and Harbaugh’s résumé is vastly superior to that of anybody else obtainable. I would anticipate all six of these groups to name him in the event that they have not already, and I ponder about another locations the place the top coach has been on shaky floor however hasn’t been let go. May this information immediate them to alter their minds and pursue Harbaugh? A quake simply went off in the course of the hiring cycle, and the aftereffects will take some time to kind out. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Harbaugh’s agent, Bryan Harlan, obtained calls from seven completely different groups inside 45 minutes of Harbaugh being let go Tuesday. However sure, assuming he desires to maintain teaching, I anticipate Harbaugh to have a chance to take action, the identical manner his mentor, Reid, did when the Eagles fired him years in the past and the Chiefs snatched him up instantly. — GrazianoHarbaugh goes to get one other head teaching job instantly, proper?
