Thoughts on John Harbaugh

[RavenScallywag]

So, word is our #2 choice is John Harbaugh of the Eagles, wo we're bringing in for an interview...

On paper, Harbaugh was a defensive back for Miami, had a college coaching career from 1984-1997, acting as pretty much everything except a HC. He was hired by Ray Rhodes in Philly in 1998 and was one of only 4 coaches retained when Andy Reid came in. He was a ST assistant/coach for 7 years before moving to DB coach this past year, in order to position himself for a rise in the coaching tree.

So on paper, this guy has a TON of experience, leagues ahead of Garrett. Also, SB likes Harbaugh's personality and energy. I have to admit, when I saw his PC photos, I got a good feeling about the guy.

My main concern is that he hasn't proven his skills outside of the ST area in the NFL yet, so it's still a big risk giving him a HC gig. However, he has lots of experience at the collegiate level, and he had a lot of success coaching ST.

My initial thought with Harbaugh was make him the DC, so he can continue to develop. But I'm starting to think HC might not be too bad either. Yes, it seems a bit crazy to go from "DB Coach" to "HC"...but if you look at him having 8 years in the NFL, that makes up a little ground.

What are your thoughts? This guy seems to be the next guy up on our plate, and could be interviewing while Garrett is still considering our offer. Would you offer him the job afteer the interview to put pressure on Garrett? Would you wait until Garrett gives us an answer?

[camdenyard]

My thoughts are to give Garrett a day to decide and then call Marty.

JHC, Harbaugh isn't even a coordinator. Why the hell are we even talking about this guy?

Where the hell is Schwartz???

[The Fanatic]

Yes, it seems a bit crazy to go from "DB Coach" to "HC"...but if you look at him having 8 years in the NFL, that makes up a little ground.

Jack Del Rio went from linebackers coach here to Jacksonville as head coach and hasn't turned out too bad.
Matter of fact he seems to be doing quite well all things considered.


I know nothing about the guy, but my thoughts are if he walks in to that interview and demands he's not leaving without being named the new head coach he's already ahead of Garrett in my book.

like I said in the other thread about Garrett yesterday, IMO the candidate needs to show 110% desire to be here and want this job, and 150% confidence in his ability to get the job done.

I personally like the idea of a guy who has a gung ho type attitude the way this guy apparently is reported to have over a cerebral type mentality.

We need a "Football Guy" to be calling the shots on the sidelines and in the front office, therefore if Ozzie likes him and wants him, I'm cool with it.

With that being said, I still think Marty is what is needed in this lockerroom at this time.

I'm also in agreement with Camdenyard...

Where the hell is Schwartz in all of this?

Wasn't it reported they originally had a list of like 30 guyts they wanted to talk to?

Not that they need to talk to 30, but I'd at least like to think that these well educated front office people who said they would leave no stone unturned would at least talk to perople like Schwartz, Grimm, etc. who have years and years of NFL experience in comparison to people like Garrett.

[RavenScallywag]

Jack Del Rio went from linebackers coach here to Jacksonville as head coach and hasn't turned out too bad.
Matter of fact he seems to be doing quite well all things considered.

Hate to shoot my own arguments, but he became DC in Carolina in between.


We need a "Football Guy" to be calling the shots on the sidelines and in the front office, therefore if Ozzie likes him and wants him, I'm cool with it.

With that being said, I still think Marty is what is needed in this lockerroom at this time.

I won't disagree, but apparently we ruled out Schottenheimer and he's still unsure himself if he even wants to come back.


Where the hell is Schwartz in all of this?

Wasn't it reported they originally had a list of like 30 guyts they wanted to talk to?

More than likely, someone in FO has an issue with him. Same with Russ Grimm.

The more I think about it, the more I like Harbaugh. A lot of sports writers are mentioning that he has a lot of football knowledge and enthusiasm, and that's why he may actually be a pretty good HC candidate.

[The Fanatic]

"Hate to shoot my own arguments, but he became DC in Carolina in between."

I stand corrected, wasn't sure if there was a DC stop inbetween or not, but knew it was pretty short lived if there was.

Point being, he didn't need to have extensive DC or OC training to become a decent head coach.

I think if you hire good assistants around you'll be fine if you're head coaching material.

"More than likely, someone in FO has an issue with him. Same with Russ Grimm."

Could be, but I'd love to know what.
I'd love to see a media type with access probe and get some type of answer as to why neither has been brought in.

[btownraven]

Bill Cowher and Andy Reid were never coordinators. Heck, Bill Cowher was a special teams coach as well. So was Marv Levy.

The key with a guy like Harbaugh is to make sure he has experienced assistants. I think head coaches are a little like QB's - you either have "it" or you don't. Experienced assistants can help him with his own inexperience but if he has "it" he'll eventually develop into an excellent head coach.

We also need to remember that there are plenty of guys who have been excellent coordinators in the league for many years who just aren't good head coaches. (see Norv Turner, Cam Cameron, & Dick LeBeau)

I like that the Ravens are thinking "outside the box" with this guy.

[RavenScallywag]

Yeah, I think even if Garrett comes here as HC, they're pushing him to bring in Harbaugh as DC or in some capacity on the staff. He sounds like a great coach and great prospect.

Also, I'm thinking we've got a pretty good shot at getting Cam Cameron as our OC. His name was linked to Schottenheimer if he coached here, and Garrett was rumoured to have him tabbed as the OC here. Unless Garrett takes the job in Atlanta, I think Cam Cameron will probably be our OC here.

[The Fanatic]

Well, according to This Article (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.ravens16jan16,0,283081.story) by Jamison Hemsley and his "league sources", Harbaugh will be offered the job if Garrett declines or goes somewhere else.
Apparently Marty isn't really being considered either. (Do we have a shaking head emoticon somewhere?)

[ravenjoe]

I'm with the rest of you on this point - where is Marty and/or Cowher (seems to me they could've put balls to the wall, and tried to get both of these candidates in!); Jim Schwartz; Russ Grimm. Having said that, I have a good feeling about Harbaugh! Like one of you said, I'd rather have an intense 'Cowher' type - such an attitude WILL rub off on the team, and we need a shot of adrenaline!

Any of you hear about Cmac saying that he'd come in for a couple of weeks in March, if he could get those weeks back in June sometime. Come on, man, your team sucks, just went 5-11, and you're worried about your time off! Geez!!!

[SHORTTRACK]

Harbaugh seemed much more comfortable in front of the press than Garrett.

[RavensInBrazil]

I don't get all this weeping for Marty and especially Cowher when they've made it pretty clear they don't want to coach this year (maybe Marty does, but he hasn't said so, so why the speculation? And Cowher, please, he'd NEVER coach the Ravens)

At first I liked Garrett more, but the more I hear the more I'm intrigued by Harbaugh

[ravenjoe]

Well, I guess I'd like to know that the Ravens put forth a full-court press to get Marty and Cowher in here. It just seems to me that they approached it half-heartedly, because they did not really want them in the first place.

[UKRaven]

I don't get all this weeping for Marty and especially Cowher when they've made it pretty clear they don't want to coach this year (maybe Marty does, but he hasn't said so, so why the speculation? And Cowher, please, he'd NEVER coach the Ravens)

I second that - I just can not get my head around calling for old guard ex-HC's, they have had their time. The Ravens need to show some balls / look to the future, and get a man that's going to be a great (HOF please!) coach.

Of course I do not want to be 'ageist' !!!!!

[RavenScallywag]

Well with Cowher, full court press might make us look like idiots, he's been pretty adamant he doesn't want to come back to the NFL yet, and quoted specifically a promise to his daughter. Guy is hands off.

Schottenheimer, I think full court press could bring him here. But, SB really wants to go out and get a young coach to build around. With Schottenheimer, a sports writer made a great analogy...We're basically renting a HC for 2-3 years, just delaying our eventual decision. Plus, with someone who's only looking 2-3 years down the road, things can get dangerous...Look at what Gibbs did with the Redskins. He constantly traded away draft picks, so now they have NO talent they can groom from within. They're going to have to build through FA and trades. I don't want Schottenheimer to come in and start mortgaging our future to build us into a winner now. With Garrett or Harbaugh, they're probably going to be here longer than 3-4 years, so they're going to be less likely to just throw caution out the window in regards to the future.

Just one man's opinion...

[HoustonRaven]

We're still talking about Cowher? :grbac:

Come back to reality, folks. Cowher aint coaching anywhere, much less for the Ravens.

[Greg]

Well, according to This Article by Jamison Hemsley and his "league sources", Harbaugh will be offered the job if Garrett declines or goes somewhere else.
WHY ARE WE WAITING ON GARRETT?

If Harbaugh wants the job and you think he has it, hire him. If you don't think he has it keep looking.

[AZRAVEN]

The only reason I can see for bringing Marty here would be if they were trying to get to the big dance one more time before the guys like Ray are ready to hang it up. Not saying he could get it done, inasmiuch as he never has, but that would seem to me to be the only logical reason for such a move. I think Mr Whimsey has his mind set on bringing in a young, untried HC so he can create the next great star in the NFL.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Well, the Sun is reporting that Marty is probably out.

It appears to be Harbaugh or Garrett at this point.

[Rochardrik]

We're still talking about Cowher? :grbac:

Come back to reality, folks. Cowher aint coaching anywhere, much less for the Ravens.

On my Knees, thanking God!!! Praying our luck holds out!@!!

[Losac]

Wasn't the Eagles' secondary the weak spot in their defense this year?

[UKRavenGordon]

I don't know why, I have no real basis for it, but I really like Harbaugh and would be pretty happy if we hired him. Garrett's my #1 choice but Harbaugh wouldn't piss me off.

[HoustonRaven]

I dont know a darn thing about him.

I guess I better read up on this guy if Garrett decides to go elsewhere.

[jonboy79]

WHY ARE WE WAITING ON GARRETT?

If Harbaugh wants the job and you think he has it, hire him. If you don't think he has it keep looking.


Maybe because the FO obviously thought he was the best candidate? Yeah good idea, go to plan B because he ddin't take your first offer, good idea. Way to make rash decisions.
I think they should interview other candidates while he decides. If you like someoen enough to offer them a job, do so, but don't scramble to make a 2nd choice.

Rex Ryan is a BAD choice to me, as is Shotty. Marty is way too old, period, I wouldn't even consider him if I were the FO. Cowher has adamantly said he is not coaching anywhere. The team wants RR, and that to me is a reason to go another direction.

[RavenTD]

A special team/secondary coach becoming your Head Coach. That's a pretty good pissing in the wind going on right there.I really hope,obviously, they know what they are doing with this guy,as it seems a big jump.

If he can have some of his brothers luck with Stanford beating USC then I'll go along with it.

[SHORTTRACK]

A special team/secondary coach becoming your Head Coach. That's a pretty good pissing in the wind going on right there..

There have been some very successful HC in the NFL that were ST coaches

[Greg]

Wasn't the Eagles' secondary the weak spot in their defense this year?
I have Dawkins on one of my fantasy teams and he missed a HUGE part of the year. If they weren't up to speed that might be a large part of it.


Maybe because the FO obviously thought he was the best candidate? Yeah good idea, go to plan B because he ddin't take your first offer, good idea. Way to make rash decisions.
I think they should interview other candidates while he decides. If you like someoen enough to offer them a job, do so, but don't scramble to make a 2nd choice.
I think that is what I posted, except I think we need to move on. Garrett passed. If he wanted to be the Ravens HC he would be. I don't want him here if it isn't something he wants so bad he is pissing purple.

Let's move on, if Harbaugh impresses sign him, if not, NEXT!

[RavenTD]

There have been some very successful HC in the NFL that were ST coaches

Well I hope he joins that list then.If he does don the purple HC cap:thumbup:

[ravenwoman]

I am impressed with Harbaugh's pedigree and resume. Some have said that he is a young Bill Cowher.

Personally if Garrett doesn't accept the offer within 24 hrs., then I would move to secure Harbaugh.

[Rochardrik]

I'm ready. Hire him. Garrett, go su*k JJ.

[GREYREDSTAR]

I have to say that I like the idea of Harbaugh as head coach given what I have read in the press. I have not seen anything about Harbaugh's connections, and we all know that a HC's success can hinge on the coordinators who are chosen. Any idea or reports on who he would tap as OC and DC?

BTW Garrett...:141847_bdmoon:

[Fcowher]

My friend inside the castle said that Harbaugh blew away everyone during the first interview much to everyone's suprise. I think they are going to hire him today.

[Greg]

Then let's do it, the minute Garrett said "Well, let me . . ." he should have heard Bisciotti picking up the phone and saying "Mr. Harbaugh, it appears you REALLY want to be the HC of the Ravens, drive on down here and let's talk."

[Losac]

I think driving down here from Philly in the middle of a snow storm would prove he really wanted the job.

If he really blew everyone away though, why was he second choice to Garrett?

[RavenScallywag]

I'm thinking we just invite him here tomorrow and make another big push then. Except this time, he doesn't dick us around...it's either a firm yes, or a firm no. And I'm pretty sure it's a firm yes.

[Sephy]

Apparently Garrett had an excellent interview as well. Regardless, dude is definitely on my NFL Pricks list now.

[Dade]

Dont really know too much about him. Gonna have to goole him and get smart quick. Seems like the FO really likes this guy and aint gonna mess around and let him think about it like Garrett.