John Harbaugh tried to smile through the pain after being abruptly fired as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, as evidenced by the emoji used in his official statement.
“Well, I was hoping for a different kind of message on my last day here, someday, but that day came today. 😊 It comes with disappointment, sure, but more with GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION,” Harbaugh, 63, said in a statement released by the Ravens on Tuesday, January 6.
Harbaugh was fired Tuesday after 18 seasons as head coach in Baltimore. The Ravens missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021 after losing a upset to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a winner-takes-all AFC North regular season finale on Sunday, Jan. 4.
He expressed his gratitude to the Ravens’ organization and owner Steve Bisciotti for “all the moments, all these years, which are recorded in eternity.”
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Harbaugh also praised the “meaningful and impactful relationships” he built with all of his players during his nearly two decades with the franchise and the “loyal partnerships in this wonderful building, which grew into strong friendships, through the work and the grind of work every day.”
In conclusion, Harbaugh turned his attention to his wife, Ingridhis daughter, Alisonand their belief system.
“Most of all to my beloved Family, my Ingrid and my Alison, who are incomparable in every way and the Loves of my life, and my tight-knit family and my good friends who stick by you no matter what,” she said. “Finally, to the author and finisher of our faith, Thanks for a journey beyond anything I could have dreamed of on my own – All is well with my soul because of the Good God who guides and sustains me.”
Harbaugh’s firing caught many by surprise, but he may not be unemployed for long.
Less than an hour after Harbaugh was fired, his agent, Bryan Harlanhad already received calls from seven NFL teams expressing interest, Harlan he told ESPN Adam Schefter.
There are currently seven head coaching vacancies in the NFL, including Baltimore’s.
Schefter, 59, reported that Harbaugh is expected to become the favorite to take over the New York Giants.
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Additional sources told ESPN Jeremy Fowler that Harbaugh “was in contact with members of his staff on Tuesday about a possible departure, with the impression from those conversations that he had a say in the decision to leave and was expected to return to coaching this cycle.”
Ravens owner Bisciotti, 65, said the decision to fire Harbaugh came after “a thorough evaluation of the season and the overall direction of our organization.”
“I will always be grateful for the extraordinary hard work and dedication shown by John and his staff over the many years of success,” Bisciotti said. “I wish (him), Ingrid and Alison all the best in the future.”
The owner added, “We now begin the challenging, yet exciting process of identifying the next leader of our football team. We fully understand the expectations of our fans and everyone in the Ravens organization. Finding another strong leader and partner who reflects those high standards is paramount.”