Baltimore Ravens Fire Coach John Harbaugh After 18 Years, Playoffs Elimination

BALTIMORE — Just two days after a missed field goal in the waning seconds of the Baltimore Ravens game kept them out of the playoffs, the team has fired head coach John Harbaugh, reports said.

Owner Steve Bisciotti said Tuesday he relieved Harbaugh of his duties after the Ravens were one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season. They went 8-9 and missed the playoffs after entering Week 1 as one of the Super Bowl favorites. Baltimore’s season ended Sunday night when Tyler Loop missed a last-second field goal, allowing Pittsburgh to hold on for a 26-24 victory in the game that decided the AFC North title.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, given the tremendous 18 years we have spent together and the profound respect I have for John as a coach and, most importantly, as a great man of integrity," Bisciotti said in a statement. "Throughout what I firmly believe is a Hall of Fame coaching career, John has delivered a Super Bowl championship to Baltimore and served as a steadfast pillar of humility and leadership.”

In a statement, Harbaugh thanked Bisciotti and the Ravens organization for his time in Baltimore.

“Well, I was hoping for a different kind of message on my last day here, someday, but that day has come today,” Harbaugh said. “It comes with disappointment certainly, but more with GRATITUDE & APPRECIATION. Gratitude to the owner and organization who was willing to bring in a head coach who made his mark with special teams success. A difficult thing to do … and Appreciation for all the moments, all these years, that are etched into eternity.”

Only the third head coach in Ravens history, Harbaugh departs after leaving an indelible mark on the franchise, the team said in a statement.

"We now begin the challenging, but exciting, process of identifying the next leader of our football team," Bisciotti said. "We fully understand the expectations of our fans and everyone in the Ravens organization. Finding another strong leader and partner who will reflect these high standards is paramount. We deeply appreciate our fans and will continue to work relentlessly to bring them, our city and the extended community the success they deserve."

ESPN's lead NFL writer, Adam Schefter, broke the news on X shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday.

"Sources: John Harbaugh is out as the Ravens head coach," Schefter posted.

During Harbaugh's 18 seasons in Baltimore, the Ravens compiled a 180-113 record with a 13-11 postseason record and one Super Bowl championship. That win in 2012 came over his younger brother Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers.

Rookie kicker Tyler Loop’s missed field goal allowed the Pittsburgh Steelers to claim their first AFC North title in five years with a 26-24 win Sunday over the Ravens.

This season was only the sixth time Baltimore missed the postseason under Harbaugh. That’s the same number of times the Ravens won the AFC North with him at the helm.

But most of Baltimore’s postseason success came in his first few seasons. The Ravens went to the AFC title game three times in his first five years as coach, culminating in their run to the 2012 Super Bowl title as a wild card.

At that point, Harbaugh was 9-4 in the postseason, but after that he was just 4-7. After three straight seasons without a playoff berth, Lamar Jackson arrived in 2018 and led Baltimore to a division title. But Harbaugh’s lone trip to an AFC title game with Jackson was wasted two seasons ago when Baltimore lost at home to Kansas City.

Squandering significant advantages became a troubling trend for the Ravens in Harbaugh’s last few seasons. The Ravens have blown 10 double-digit leads in the second half in the last six seasons. No other team has done that more than seven times.

After a hamstring injury sidelined Jackson, Baltimore stumbled to a 1-5 start in 2025. Harbaugh and the Ravens worked their way back into contention and eventually reached Sunday’s winner-take-all matchup as a favorite to beat the Steelers. But despite Derrick Henry’s early dominance on the ground and Jackson’s sensational fourth quarter, another season ended in excruciating fashion.

RELATED: Ravens' Tyler Loop Attacked By Fans Online After Season-Ending Miss

If this departure was a result of that loss — which is not necessarily clear — then the missed kick at the end could have quite a domino effect throughout the league. If he wants to coach next season, Harbaugh may be the most sought-after person on the market, and the Baltimore job might the best available, given the short-term possibilities with Jackson at quarterback and the organization's reputation for stability.

The Baltimore Banner said Harbaugh had the most wins of any coach in Ravens history. His departure was confirmed by a team spokesman to the website.

Harbaugh, 63, was the NFL’s second-longest-tenured active head coach, behind the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, the Banner said. In March, he signed a contract extension through the 2028 season.

Asked in April about his expectations for the franchise’s next three decades in Baltimore, Bisciotti told the team website, “I want to win now. I don’t give a damn about 30 years from now, I really don’t.”

Baltimore was Harbaugh's first stint as a head coach after working in the Philadelphia Eagles organization as special teams coordinator from 1998 to 2006 and as the defensive backs coach in 2007, the New York Post said.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.