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The Baltimore Ravens have fired longtime coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons, according to multiple reports.
The decision comes two days after Harbaugh’s 2025 team failed to secure the AFC North title, losing in heartbreaking fashion to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18.
It was a game that looked to be a miraculous comeback for the Ravens, as rookie kicker Tyler Loop kicked a 44-yard field goal to win the division and secure the No. 4 seed in the AFC in this year’s playoffs.
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Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On January 4, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
However, Loop’s kick was hard to the right as he flew through the Pittsburgh air, and the home crowd went wild and the Steelers won the division.
There was talk about whether this could be the end of Harbaugh’s historic time in Baltimore, and while it didn’t happen on “Black Monday” like other organizations, the Ravens are heading in a new direction for the first time since 2008.
Harbaugh is quickly becoming the leading head coaching candidate for teams looking to fill their own vacancies. Those teams include the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders.
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Harbaugh had a 180-113 record, as well as a 13-11 postseason record, during his 18 seasons with the franchise. He led the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory during the 2012 season after finishing 10-6.
Harbaugh, brother of Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, has the most road playoff game wins in NFL history, demonstrating his pedigree when the game matters most.
Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens leaves the field after a loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On January 4, 2026. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
It shouldn’t be long before reports surface that Harbaugh has head coach interviews on his calendar, as teams are already working to get big names in the building to solidify their direction for 2026 and beyond.
As for the Ravens, there are big names like Kevin Stefanski, who they are quite familiar with given his last six seasons in the AFC North with the Browns. Raheem Morris is also someone who is already on the move after the Falcons also released him in a playoff-less 2025 season.
The 63-year-old Harbaugh’s NFL coaching career began as special teams coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998, after college stops at Western Michigan, Pitt, Morehead State, Cincinnati and Indiana.
Harbaugh spent 10 seasons in Philadelphia, nine of them in the role of special teams coordinator before getting his chance as head coach with the Ravens. He went 11-5 in his inaugural season and quickly turned the franchise into a formidable force in the AFC.
Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens walks on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Throughout his 18 seasons, Harbaugh has only had a losing record three times, with his worst record coming in the 2015 campaign at 5-11. The other two were 8-9 seasons in 2021 and 2025.
Harbaugh posted double-digit wins in 11 of those 18 seasons, including three straight from 2022-2024.
