John Harbaugh is already one of the NFL’s longest-tenured head coaches with the Baltimore Ravens, and that run seems like it is going to continue for several more seasons. The Ravens announced on Friday that they have agreed to a three-year contract extension with their head coach.
Harbaugh has coached the Ravens since the start of the 2008 season, compiling a 172-104 regular season record to go with a 13-11 postseason record. That includes a Super Bowl winning season in 2012 when the Ravens defeated his brother, Jim Harbaugh, and the San Francisco 49ers.
The Ravens have been remarkably consistent under John Harbaugh’s watch, and over the past six years with Lamar Jackson as their quarterback, have been one of the league’s best overall teams. At least as far as the regular season goes.
For as good as the Ravens have been between September and December, that success has not always followed into January. They have made just one AFC Championship Game with Jackson, while only four of John Harbaugh’s 13 playoff wins have come in the past 12 years.
Should they have had more wins given their talent level and regular season success? That is certainly a worthy criticism and something that can not be ignored. Some of those postseason exits have been the result of shocking upsets, and a lot of them at home.
But the Ravens obviously value the stability that and consistency that John Harbaugh brings, and they probably know that the odds of them finding a better coach and a clear upgrade are probably very slim. If you have a good coach, why let them get away? The Ravens are not.
