The Las Vegas Raiders only just kicked off their coaching search after firing head coach Pete Carroll on Monday, but a big name just hit the open market. The Baltimore Ravens announced that they have mutually agreed to part ways with Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh.
Though there were some rumblings that this could happen, it seemed like a long shot that they’d actually move on from the winningest coach in franchise history. That said, even if a coach has done a great job, sometimes it’s time for a fresh start.
The Ravens will have their first new head coach in nearly two decades, and Harbaugh can pursue a new job where he doesn’t have any baggage. The Raiders will almost certainly at least try to interview the coach.
He’s not an offensive guru or defensive mastermind, but he’s proven that he knows how to run a team and hire a great staff. Harbaugh might look at what the Raiders just did with Carroll and decide that he doesn’t want to be part of that circus, but it would allow him the chance to compete against his brother, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, twice a season.
Good Morning Football host Jamie Erdahl wants to see it happen.
“The Raiders have the chance to do the funniest thing ever,” Erdahl wrote on X. “Twice a season, every year. Harbaugh v Harbaugh in the division. Give it to us @TomBrady.”
Harbaugh Is Still Coaching at a High Level
During his time with the Ravens, Harbaugh accumulated a 180-113 record. He had a losing record just three times during the run and only one season with fewer than eight wins.
One of those losing seasons was this year, but the Ravens also dealt with myriad injuries to key players and still had a chance to win the AFC North if it weren’t for a missed field goal in Week 18.
Many will point to Harbaugh’s lack of playoff success as a reason not to hire him, but he has a 13-11 record in the playoffs and holds the record for most road playoff wins at eight. The Ravens could quickly learn to regret this decision, but it’s understandable that they would want a fresh voice.
Would Harbaugh-Raiders Pairing Work?
At 63, Harbaugh might not love the idea of going to a rebuilding Raiders team. That said, the fact that the team has the No. 1 pick and can draft a quarterback means that he can really build the team how he wants it.
From the Raiders’ perspective, Harbaugh would be very interesting. He may not call plays on either side of the ball, but he’s proven he can build a strong staff. He’s had 10 of his assistants eventually get head coaching jobs.
Andy Reid is the best example of a great coach who needed a fresh start after spending a very long time with one franchise. Harbaugh happened to spend a decade with Reid as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders might be worried about going with another older retread after the Carroll experiment didn’t pan out, but Harbaugh is much younger and has a better track record of recent success.
Raiders Floated as Ideal John Harbaugh Landing Spot for Unique Reason