After 18 years, Ravens fire long-serving John Harbaugh

Following the dramatic finale to the 2025 regular season, the Baltimore Ravens have parted company with head coach John Harbaugh.

The long-serving head coach had just completed his 18th season with the Ravens, the second-most of any active NFL coach. His sacking was announced on Tuesday as the team hierarchy dispensed with the most successful coach in franchise history.

Harbaugh never played in the NFL but his coaching career dates back to 1984, when he became running back coach for Western Michigan.He has been the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens since 2008, racking up more wins than any other coach in team history.

His crowning moment came in Super Bowl XLVII, when he led the team to its second-ever national championship.

Why was John Harbaugh sacked by Baltimore?

The Ravens finished the season with an 8-9 record, missing out on the playoffs. Their fate was confirmed in Sunday’s ‘win-and-in’ clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the Ravens losing 26-24.

In recent years the Ravens’ performances in the postseason had tailed off, with only three playoff victories in the past eight seasons. That period has coincided with the presence of Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player at quarterback. Harbaugh’s failure to truly capitalize on one of the league’s biggest talents will likely have played a part in his eventual departure.

Ahead of the 2025 season the Ravens were ranked as third-favorite to win the Super Bowl. They ended it with a losing record, spelling the end for one of the NFL’s most enduring coaches.

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