By NFL standards, the Ravens are a young franchise.
After moving from Cleveland in 1995 to form the new franchise in Baltimore, the team has known only three head coaches in its entire; Ted Marchibroda, Brian Billick, and John Harbaugh.
Marchibroda led the team from its inception through the 1998 season, when Brian Billick stepped in and led them from 1999-2007, and then John Harbaugh took over prior to the 2008 season.
Now, the organization will begin their search for a new leader, as Harbaugh and the Ravens agreed to a mutually parting of the ways after lengthy meetings today between ownership and the veteran coach who has led the team the past 18 seasons. Harbaugh had three years left on his deal, according to multiple reports.
The decision comes as the Ravens recently put the finishing touches on an 8-9 season after coming up short against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. The loss meant missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and ensured their first losing season since then as well.
Coming off a 12-5 season with Super Bowl aspirations heading into this season with star quarterback Lamar Jackson and All-Pro running back Derrick Henry anchoring one of the top backfield tandems in the NFL, the 2025 campaign got off to a 1-5 start out the gate with multiple injuries to star quarterback Jackson in the season's first few weeks. Harbaugh and his staff would rally the team to improve to 6-5 and were in playoff contention at the end of the year, but the loss to Steelers clinched the end of their season.
The veteran leader led the Ravens to the playoffs in 12 of his 18 seasons, finishing with a losing record just three times during his tenure in Baltimore.
The 2012 season ended with a Super Bowl title under Harbaugh, as John faced off against his brother Jim and the 49ers in an epic matchup that captivated the country.
Sure to be a hot commodity in this year's cycle, with his name already being attached to the Giants head coaching opening within minutes of news of his dismissal in Baltimore, John leaves the Ravens after compiling a 180-113 record, reaching the AFC title game four times. He leaves the franchise as the all-time leader in wins by more than 100 victories.
Only one head coach (Mike Tomlin of the Steelers) had a longer tenure with one team that John.
Before rising to the head coaching role, Harbaugh was a successful special teams coordinator in the NFL and college football with stops at Cincinnati and Indiana before breaking into the NFL with the Eagles, where he spent nine seasons. After a season coaching the defensive backs for the Eagles, Harbaugh landed the opportunity to lead the Ravens and has served as the posterboy for the rare special teams coordinator to head coach jump ever since.
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