Former US President Donald Trump has plunged into the heart of the NFL's annual coaching carousel, issuing a public demand for teams to swiftly hire recently dismissed Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
End of an Era in Baltimore
The seismic shift occurred late on Tuesday evening when the Baltimore Ravens announced their separation from John Harbaugh, their head coach of 18 seasons. Harbaugh's illustrious tenure included leading the franchise to victory in Super Bowl XLVII during the 2012 season. However, the team has not returned to the NFL's championship game since that pinnacle. The decision followed a turbulent 8-9 season that concluded with the Ravens missing the playoffs entirely.
Presidential Endorsement on Social Media
By Wednesday morning, Donald Trump had entered the fray. Taking to his Truth Social platform, the former president issued a forceful public endorsement for the veteran coach. In a post written in capital letters, Trump stated, 'HIRE JOHN HARBAUGH, FAST. HE, AND HIS BROTHER, ARE TOTAL WINNERS!!! President DJT'. The message notably compared John's success to that of his brother, Jim Harbaugh, who currently coaches the Los Angeles Chargers.
This high-profile backing is expected to further intensify the market for Harbaugh's services. With a career record that includes 12 playoff appearances and an 18-14 postseason record in Baltimore, his pedigree is undeniable. However, his record in AFC Championship games was 1-3, with his last appearance at that stage being in 2023.
A Competitive Coaching Market Opens
John Harbaugh's name is now poised to be at the very top of the list for numerous franchises with vacancies. As of Wednesday morning, he could potentially choose from openings with several teams. Alongside the Ravens, the clubs seeking new leadership include the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and Las Vegas Raiders.
It remains immediately unclear which of these organisations Harbaugh will formally interview with. Nevertheless, Donald Trump's very public rallying cry has undoubtedly cast a fresh spotlight on one of the most experienced and decorated coaches now available in a fiercely competitive NFL coaching carousel.
