With John Harbaugh Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for Baltimore in 2026? Who Should Replace John Harbaugh in 2026?
Full Story on Harbaugh Being Fired as Baltimore’s Head Coach
The Ravens had a promising future heading into the 2025 campaign. In fact, Baltimore began the year as one of the Super Bowl contenders in the league. However, the team underperformed and QB Lamar Jackson failed to reach 3,000 passing yards for the first time since 2022. Following Sunday’s season finale loss that eliminated them from playoff contention, the 8-9 Ravens fired John Harbaugh after 18 seasons as head coach. The boys from Maryland entered Week 18 still alive for the AFC North Division title hopes, but lost that crucial game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers on a last-second missed field goal from Baltimore 26-24.
The Ravens have now failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2021. Baltimore started poorly in 2025 with 1-5 in its first six games. But then they went on a five-game winning streak before losing four of their remaining six contests. Perhaps the football squad’s biggest win of this season came on December 27, where they defeated the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field 41-24. This isn’t the first time that the Ravens entered the news in 2025 as they cut ties with longtime kicker Justin Tucker due to sexual misconduct claims.
Over the past several years, the football squad drafted some first round prospects such as S Malaki Starks (Georgia, 2025), CB Nate Wiggins (Clemson, 2024), WR Zay Flowers (Boston College, 2023), and C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa, 2022). The Ravens became the seventh NFL team to change head coaches this season along with Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals), Kevin Stefanski (Browns), Pete Carroll (Raiders), Brian Daboll (Giants), Brian Callahan (Titans), and Raheem Morris (Falcons).
John Harbaugh’s Career with the Baltimore Ravens
Harbaugh took over as the leading man in Charm City in 2008 after the dismissal of Brian Billick. The former guided the Ravens to a Super Bowl championship in 2012 and four AFC Championship Game appearances. Baltimore also won six AFC North Division titles and eleven 10-win campaigns. The team has not been to the AFC Championship Game since losing to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in early 2024. In addition, the football squad wants to win the Super Bowl for the first time since defeating John’s brother (Jim) and the 49ers in early 2013. Overall, Harbaugh compiled a 180-113 record and 13-11 in the postseason.
Before becoming the Ravens’ head coach, Harbaugh coached the following positions for the Philadelphia Eagles: defensive backs (2007) and special teams coordinator (1998-2006). He led the Eagles to a Super Bowl berth in 2004 and four straight NFC Championship Game trips from 2001 until 2004. Harbaugh also served as the special teams coach for Indiana (1997), Cincinnati (1989-1996), and Morehead State (1988).
What’s Next for the Baltimore Ravens?
Many Ravens football fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace John Harbaugh in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Harbaugh as Baltimore Ravens Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace John Harbaugh as Baltimore HC
Internal Candidates
Todd Monken-Baltimore Ravens
- Louisiana Tech WR Coach (2000-2001)
- Oklahoma State WR Coach (2002-2004)
- LSU WR Coach (2005-2006)
- Jaguars WR Coach (2007-2010)
- Oklahoma State OC & QB Coach (2011-2012)
- Southern Miss Head Coach (2013-2015)
- Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator (2016-2018)
- Browns Offensive Coordinator (2019)
- Georgia OC & QB Coach (2020-2022)
- Ravens Offensive Coordinator (2023-Present)
- 2-Time National Champion with Bulldogs
- Led Baltimore to AFC Championship Game in Early 2024
- Took Golden Eagles to C-USA Championship Game in 2015
Top Head Coach Candidates for Baltimore Ravens to Consider
Vance Joseph-Denver Broncos
- 49ers Assistant DB Coach (2005)
- 49ers DB Coach (2006-2010)
- Texans DB Coach (2011-2013)
- Bengals DB Coach (2014-2015)
- Dolphins Defensive Coordinator (2016)
- Broncos Head Coach (2017-2018)
- Ravens Defensive Coordinator (2019-2022)
- Baltimore Co-Interim Head Coach (2021)
- Broncos Defensive Coordinator (2023-Present)
- Took Denver to #1 Seed in the AFC Conference in 2025
Brian Flores-Minnesota Vikings
- Patriots Defense Assistant (2008-2011)
- New England Safeties Coach (2012-2015)
- Patriots DC (2016-2018)
- Dolphins HC (2019-2021)
- Steelers LB Coach (2022)
- Vikings DC (2023-Present)
- Won 4 Super Bowl Titles with New England
- Also Guided Minnesota to Postseason in 2024
Klint Kubiak-Seattle Seahawks
- Kansas WR Coach (2015)
- Broncos Offense Coach (2016-2018)
- Vikings QB Coach (2019-2020)
- Vikings OC (2021)
- Broncos Pass Game Coordinator (2022)
- 49ers Pass Game Coordinator (2023)
- Saints OC (2024)
- Seahawks OC (2025-Present)
- Led Seattle to #1 Seed in the NFC Conference in 2025
- Coached in Super Bowl for San Francisco in 2023
Robert Saleh-San Francisco 49ers
- Texans Defense Qualities Coach (2006-2008)
- Texans Assistant LB Coach (2009-2010)
- Seahawks Defense Qualities Coach (2011-2013)
- Jaguars LB Coach (2014-2016)
- 49ers Defensive Coordinator (2017-2020)
- NY Jets Head Coach (2021-2024)
- 49ers Defensive Coordinator (2025-Present)
- Won Super Bowl with Seattle in Early 2014
- Coached San Francisco in Super Bowl in Early 2020
Leading Candidate to Replace John Harbaugh as Ravens HC in 2026
Mike McCarthy-Dallas Cowboys
- Chiefs QB Coach (1995-1998)
- Packers QB Coach (1999)
- Saints OC (2000-2004)
- 49ers OC (2005)
- Packers HC (2006-2018)
- Cowboys HC (2020-2024)
- Won Super Bowl with Green Bay in 2010
- 4 NFC Championship Game Appearances with Packers
- Guided Dallas to Two NFC East Division Titles
Other Coaching Carousel News in the NFL:
Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons)
Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns)
Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders)
Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals)
Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans)
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