The bank is empty. For the first time since 2007, the Baltimore Ravens are searching for a new leader.
On January 6, 2026, owner Steve Bisciotti did the unthinkable. He fired John Harbaugh. It wasn’t a decision made in a vacuum, but it still sent shockwaves through the NFL. Imagine a guy being at his desk for 18 years, winning a Super Bowl, and then getting the "thanks for the memories" speech. That's exactly what happened in Owings Mills after a gut-wrenching 26-24 loss to the Steelers.
One missed 44-yard field goal. That’s all it took. If Tyler Loop’s kick goes through, the Ravens are AFC North champs. Instead, it sailed wide, the season ended at 8-9, and the longest-tenured coach in franchise history was out of a job before the locker room was even cleared.
The Head Coach of Baltimore Ravens Search: What Now?
Honestly, the Ravens are in a weird spot. They have a two-time MVP in Lamar Jackson, but they don't have a captain for the ship. General Manager Eric DeCosta basically said they’re looking for "the next John Harbaugh," which is kinda ironic given they just let the original one go.
The list of candidates is already getting long. You've got Kevin Stefanski, who just got fired by the Browns, surprisingly interviewing in Baltimore. Then there's Mike Tomlin—yeah, the guy who just handed Harbaugh his final loss—who stepped down from the Steelers and is suddenly a name to watch. It's like a weird game of musical chairs where everyone is swapping division rivals.
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Currently, the favorites for the job include:
- Kevin Stefanski: The former Browns coach has already interviewed. People think his offensive mind could finally unlock the "architect" version of Lamar Jackson.
- Todd Monken: He was the Ravens' OC, but it looks like he’s following Harbaugh to the New York Giants.
- Zach Orr: The internal candidate. He's the defensive coordinator, young, and the players love him. But can you trust a first-timer with a championship window that's closing?
- Jesse Minter: The Chargers' defensive coordinator and a Jim Harbaugh disciple. The Ravens love that "Harbaugh-style" grit, even if the actual Harbaugh is gone.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Harbaugh Era
People look at the 180-113 record and think it was all sunshine and rainbows. It wasn't. The "head coach of Baltimore Ravens" title carries a massive weight because of the 2012 Super Bowl. But if you're a die-hard fan, you know the last decade has been a massive tease.
Since Lamar Jackson was drafted in 2018, the Ravens have had the third-best regular-season record in the league. That’s incredible. But they went 3-6 in the playoffs during that span. 3-6! You can't have a generational talent at QB and keep bowing out in January.
The 2025 season was the final straw. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. They started 1-5, which was a disaster. Then they won five straight after the bye. They looked like the best team in the world for three weeks and then completely fell apart, losing four of their last six. When you get booed off your own field after a 44-10 loss to the Texans, you know the end is near.
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Why John Harbaugh Still Matters (and Why the Giants Nabbed Him)
Don't feel too bad for John. Within 45 minutes of being fired, seven teams called his agent. By January 15, 2026, he was finalizing a five-year deal with the New York Giants.
The Giants didn't care about the 8-9 record. They cared about the fact that Harbaugh holds the NFL record for road playoff wins (8). They cared about the 12 playoff appearances. They wanted the guy who could handle the New York media without blinking.
In Baltimore, Harbaugh’s legacy is complicated but undeniable. He wasn’t a play-caller in the traditional sense—he was a CEO. He was the guy who empowered his players and listened to them. He turned Lamar from a "running QB" into a pocket passer who still breaks ankles. He survived 18 years in a league where the average coach lasts about three.
The Actionable Reality for the Next Coach
Whoever takes over the headset at M&T Bank Stadium isn't walking into a rebuilding project. They’re walking into a Ferrari that needs a tune-up.
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If you're following this search, keep an eye on these specific "Ravens traits" the front office is looking for:
- The Lamar Factor: The next coach has to have a specific plan for a 29-year-old Lamar Jackson who has dealt with some nagging injuries lately.
- Defensive Identity: The Ravens Pride themselves on being "bullies." Last year’s 3-6 home record was the worst in team history. That has to change immediately.
- Staff Stability: Harbaugh’s "superpower" was finding great assistants (like Mike Macdonald). The new guy needs to bring a high-level staff, or they'll get eaten alive in the AFC North.
The Ravens are looking for someone who can win now. Not in three years. Not after a "process." They have the roster, they have the MVP, and now they just need the person at the top of the stairs to lead them back to the Super Bowl.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on the hiring process, watch the flight trackers out of Martin State Airport. The Ravens usually move fast once they find their guy, and with the Senior Bowl approaching, they’ll want a new head coach in the building before February starts. Check the official team transactions page daily, as interviews for candidates like Glenn Schumann and Jesse Minter are reportedly being scheduled for this weekend.