Ask any Ravens fan about a particular player or coach, and you’re likely to get many different takes.
Though fiercely loyal, Ravens fans are widely polarized in opinion. They support the team staunchly, yet they’re always able to find fault with someone who’s achieved a great deal for the organization. Sure, that’s their right as a fan. But if you’re looking for a consensus, you’ve come to the wrong place.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs, Jamal Lewis, and the list goes on. These are players who had incredible success during their time in Baltimore, but if you ask fans around town to agree on an award or accolade for these players, many fans are likely to raise an objection.
John Harbaugh is held in similar regard. Many Ravens fans support John Harbaugh. They’re grateful for the success he’s helped engineer during his 13+ seasons as the leader of the franchise. They know he’s had to manage all-time great players. And of course, people will recognize his greatness as he’s 1 of only 34 coaches ever to win a Super Bowl.
Or will they?
Some may say Harbaugh was carried by great players, or that he started hot but has been average since. Personally, I think it’s lazy and ridiculous to make such an assertion while the facts are right there in front of you.
Moreover, I think Harbaugh has a better than 50/50 shot to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and when he’s finished coaching will be a likely inductee.
Regular season success
You may not like his style or methods, but news flash: football is about winning. To say that someone who ranks 5th in regular season winning percentage* among active head coaches isn’t a good coach is flat out delusional.
Extrapolating his current winning percentage of .620 out over the duration of his current contract (thru 2022), Harbaugh is on pace to compile a regular season record of 150-92. Barring a rash of unforeseen injuries, that kind of winning pedigree means your team is a lock for the playoffs before the season starts. Who would deny that as historically successful?
*(min. 100 games coached)
Postseason success
Winning in the regular season is, of course, important. But playoff success is what truly matters (expect for Joe Flacco, I guess). In Harbaugh’s 13 seasons in charge of the Ravens, he’s led Baltimore to a postseason mark of 11-8, including, of course, a win in Super Bowl XLVII. If those statistical trends continue, he will have a 13-9 playoff record by the end of 2022. That would place him at 7th all-time in playoff wins and 10th all-time in playoff win percentage (.591, min. 10 games coached). Of the other coaches that have reached that mark, only Tom Coughlin, George Seifert and Bill Belichick are not in the Hall of Fame. Coughlin is likely to make it and, at this rate, Belichick may even get the HOF named after him.
Translation: if Harbaugh can “rack up” a 2-1 playoff record throughout the duration of his coaching career, he will join quite exclusive company. And anyone who’s objective can confidently say chances are Harbaugh and the Ravens have a great chance at exceeding that mark.
Longevity
Something Baltimore fans can agree on is the shrewd intellect of Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. Mr. Bisciotti runs a franchise as it should be; keeping his staff encouraged, motivated, compensated and accountable while not seeking the spotlight for himself.
Therefore, if Mr. Bisciotti ever thought Harbaugh wasn’t the man to lead this team, Harbaugh would be gone. However, Harbaugh isn’t gone. In fact, he’s received multiple extensions at times when many thought he should be let go.
Though remaining employed as an NFL head coach is extremely difficult, just holding that job won’t get you into Canton. But when the selection committee looks at the nuances of candidate resumes, longevity is a substantial element of that candidate’s case.
According to Guiding Metrics, “The average tenure for an NFL coach is approximately just 3.2 years.” Harbaugh has already beat that mark by a full decade, as he’s lasted more than 4x longer than the average NFL coach.
Granted, competition will only get tougher and much of a candidate’s case for the Hall is made on how their career concludes. While it won’t be easy for Harbaugh to get his gold jacket, here’s a comparison of two Hall of Fame head coaches that could help make his case:
| Regular season win % | Postseason win % | Super Bowls won/coached in | |
| Tom Landry | .607 | .556 | 2/5 |
| Bill Cowher | .623 | .571 | 1/2 |
| John Harbaugh | .620 | .579 | 1/1 |
At the end of the day, you’ll have to form your own opinion.
As for me, I think it’s a no-brainer: Harbaugh is firmly on his way to Canton.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.