Who Will Replace John Harbaugh?
Baltimore hasn’t named a successor yet, but early indications point to an offensive‑leaning hire who can maximize Lamar Jackson and reset a team that just missed the playoffs at 8‑9.
League insiders have linked several names to the opening, including Kliff Kingsbury, Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, and Minnesota assistant Brian Flores, with Kingsbury repeatedly mentioned as a fit given his background with mobile quarterbacks.
Internally, defensive coordinator Zach Orr and offensive coordinator Todd Monken are considered possibilities if the front office prefers continuity and a shorter learning curve for Jackson and the locker room.
Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) on X reports that the Ravens have fired head coach John Harbaugh.
Some around the league still expect Baltimore to cast a wide net, interviewing both proven former head coaches and rising coordinators before making a call on the fourth head coach in franchise history.
Why Did the Ravens Fire John Harbaugh?
Harbaugh was dismissed on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, one day after the 26‑24 loss in Pittsburgh that ended Baltimore’s playoff hopes and officially closed an 8‑9 season that began with Super Bowl expectations.
Owner Steve Bisciotti said he made the decision after a “comprehensive evaluation” of the season and the overall direction of the organization, stressing that performance concerns finally outweighed nearly two decades of goodwill. Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) on X reports that the Ravens parted ways with John Harbaugh, citing his loss of the locker room, including with Lamar Jackson.
This wasn’t just about one missed 44‑yard field goal at the buzzer; it was about a pattern of late‑game collapses and postseason stalls that had started to define the Harbaugh era.
Baltimore blew 46 fourth‑quarter leads during his tenure, tied for second‑most in the NFL over that span, and won only three playoff games in eight seasons with Lamar Jackson despite multiple double‑digit‑win campaigns.
It’s a little concerning how often this group found new ways to lose tight games, and that clearly stuck with ownership.
How Long Was John Harbaugh the Ravens’ Coach?
Harbaugh took over in 2008 and held the job through the end of the 2025 regular season, giving him an 18‑year run on the Baltimore sideline. Over that stretch he went 180‑113 in the regular season, reached the postseason 12 times, and became the winningest coach in franchise history by a margin of roughly 100 victories.
Some will remember those early years when he quickly stabilized a defense‑first roster and then pivoted into the Lamar Jackson era without a full teardown. That adaptability is a big reason he lasted as long as he did in a league that usually chews through coaches in three or four seasons.
How Many Super Bowls Has John Harbaugh Won?
Harbaugh has one Super Bowl title, winning Super Bowl XLVII after the 2012 season when the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers.
That run included four road games in five weeks and cemented his reputation as a coach who could manage big personalities and big moments.
Baltimore hasn’t been back to the Super Bowl since, which is part of the frustration now. The roster was good enough to contend several times in the Jackson era, but the team consistently stalled before the AFC Championship Game.
Is John Harbaugh a Defensive or Offensive Coach?
Harbaugh’s background is on special teams, not as a classic offensive or defensive guru. Before Baltimore hired him, he worked his way up with the Philadelphia Eagles as a special teams coordinator and then spent a year coaching defensive backs, which gave him a broad, management‑style profile.
In Baltimore he leaned on strong coordinators on both sides of the ball and managed the game globally instead of calling plays.
That CEO‑style approach is why different versions of the Ravens run‑heavy with Joe Flacco, option‑heavy with Jackson still felt like the same program structurally.
Where Will John Harbaugh Go?
Harbaugh is expected to be one of the hottest names on the market this hiring cycle, with multiple reports saying several clubs contacted his agent within hours of his firing.
Early speculation has tied him to jobs with the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and other teams that either already have openings or are evaluating their current coaches after disappointing seasons.
Las Vegas in particular stands out because the Raiders hold the 2026 draft’s No. 1 pick and can pair Harbaugh with a handpicked rookie quarterback, something that would appeal to a coach used to building strong cultures.
It’s unclear if he’ll jump straight into another head‑coaching role or take a year to reset, but it would be surprising if he’s out of the league very long.
Disclaimer:
This information is based on current reporting and may change as official announcements or updates are released. It shouldn’t be taken as legal, financial, or betting advice and is intended only for general informational and news‑tracking purposes.
