John Harbaugh - Coaching Career

Coaching Career

Harbaugh was first hired in the NFL in 1998 by Philadelphia Eagles then-head coach Ray Rhodes, and was one of four assistant coaches retained by new head coach Andy Reid in 1999. Prior to that, Harbaugh spent time in the college ranks as an assistant at Indiana University (1997), University of Cincinnati (1989–1996), Morehead State University (1988), and Western Michigan University (1984–1987).

In 2004, Harbaugh was mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Gary Darnell as the head football coach at Western Michigan University. Harbaugh earned his master's degree from WMU and was an assistant football coach from 1984–1987.

In 2007, after serving as Special Teams Coach for 9 years, John was named Defensive Backs coach. Head Coach Andy Reid was fulfilling Harbaugh's request: this would improve Harbaugh's chances of landing a future head coaching job, since executives at that time viewed special teams coaches as unqualified to be a head coach. The move paid off the following year, as Harbaugh interviewed for, and was announced head coach of the Baltimore Ravens on January 19, 2008. Harbaugh only interviewed for the job after the team's first choice, Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, turned them down; before his interview, Harbaugh was not considered one of the favorites to win the position. Nonetheless, he impressed team owner Steve Bisciotti and Vice President of Player Personnel/General Manager Ozzie Newsome. Also, during the interview process, legendary New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick recommended Harbaugh to Bisciotti by phone. These were some of the key factors that enabled Harbaugh to successfully make the rare leap from NFL position coach (e.g., offensive line, quarterbacks, secondary, etc.), to head coach -- without being an offensive/defensive coordinator, first.

On January 23, 2008, Harbaugh hired longtime NFL offensive coach (and a former head coach, himself) Cam Cameron to be his offensive coordinator (in 1997, Cameron had originally hired Harbaugh as an assistant at Indiana University). Cameron had also served as quarterbacks coach for John's brother, Jim Harbaugh, during their time at the University of Michigan.

On September 7, 2008, Harbaugh coached the Ravens to a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in his head coaching debut. Until that point no team had ever won when a coach and a quarterback (Joe Flacco) were both making their NFL debut.

In his rookie season as a head coach, Harbaugh guided the Ravens to an 11–5 regular season record, good enough to qualify them for the playoffs as a wild card team. In the playoffs, Harbaugh oversaw upset victories over the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game.

On January 26, 2009, Harbaugh named Greg Mattison as the new defensive coordinator for the Ravens, replacing Rex Ryan, who had left to take his first head coaching job (with the New York Jets). Mattison served as a linebacker coach and defensive coordinator for Harbaugh's father, Jack, at Western Michigan University from 1981-86. While at WMU, Mattison also coached alongside Harbaugh, who was a graduate assistant and assistant coach for his father.

In Harbaugh's second season as the Ravens' head coach, he once again led the team to a playoff berth with a 9-7 record during the regular season. Harbaugh improved his playoff record to 3-1 with an upset victory over the New England Patriots in the AFC Wild Card round on January 10, 2010. He then lost the following week, bringing his record to 3-2.

In 2010 season, he once again went to the playoffs, beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card on January 9, 2011. However, he then lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional round 31-24 on January 15, after leading by 14 points in the beginning of the 2nd half.

Harbaugh signed a three-year extension on February 14, 2011 that will keep him under contract through 2014. Harbaugh and his younger brother Jim met in Week 12 on Thanksgiving Day between the Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. John defeated Jim in the Thanksgiving matchup 16-6. Harbaugh led the Ravens to a 12-4 record, winning the AFC North division and sweeping the Steelers. The Ravens lost in the AFC Championship Game to the New England Patriots after Lee Evans dropped the game-winning pass and kicker Billy Cundiff missed the potential game-tying field goal. Neither Evans nor Cundiff are on the 2012 53-man roster.