History of John Harbaugh in Timeline

John Harbaugh is the head coach for the New York Giants. He previously coached for the Philadelphia Eagles and was hired as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens in 2008, serving in the role for 18 seasons. He and his brother, Jim Harbaugh, are the first pair of brothers to serve as NFL head coaches. Their father, Jack, was a long-time college football coach. Notably, John's Ravens defeated Jim's 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

September 23, 1962: John Harbaugh's Birth

On September 23, 1962, John Harbaugh was born. He would later become a prominent American football coach.

Others born on this day/year

1981: Mattison as Linebacker Coach

From 1981 to 1986, Greg Mattison served as Linebacker coach and defensive coordinator for Harbaugh's father, Jack, at Western Michigan University.

1984: Assistant Football Coach at Western Michigan

From 1984 to 1987, Harbaugh was an assistant football coach at Western Michigan.

1984: Graduation from Miami University

In 1984, Harbaugh graduated from Miami University, where he played varsity football as a defensive back.

1986: Mattison as Defensive Coordinator

From 1981 to 1986, Greg Mattison served as Linebacker coach and defensive coordinator for Harbaugh's father, Jack, at Western Michigan University.

1986: Coaching at Western Michigan

In 1986, Harbaugh continued to coach at Western Michigan.

1987: Assistant Football Coach at Western Michigan

From 1984 to 1987, Harbaugh was an assistant football coach at Western Michigan.

1987: Coaching at Pitt

In 1987, Harbaugh started coaching at Pitt.

1988: Coaching at Morehead State

In 1988, Harbaugh coached at Morehead State.

1989: Coaching at Cincinnati

In 1989, Harbaugh began coaching at Cincinnati.

1996: Continued Coaching at Cincinnati

In 1996, Harbaugh continued his coaching role at Cincinnati.

1997: Coaching at Indiana

In 1997, Harbaugh began coaching at Indiana.

1998: Hired by the Philadelphia Eagles

In 1998, Harbaugh was first hired in the NFL by the Philadelphia Eagles.

1999: Retained by Andy Reid

In 1999, Harbaugh was one of four assistant coaches retained by new head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles.

2004: Possible Candidate for Western Michigan Head Coach

In 2004, Harbaugh was mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Gary Darnell as the head football coach at Western Michigan.

2007: Became Eagles' Defensive Backs Coach

In 2007, after serving as the Philadelphia Eagles' special teams coach for nine years, Harbaugh became their defensive backs coach.

2007: Last Time Ravens Finished in Fourth Place

In 2021, after an 8–3 start, Harbaugh led the Ravens to a late-season collapse, finishing 8–9 and missing the playoffs. It was the first time the Ravens finished in fourth place in the AFC North since 2007.

January 19, 2008: Hired as Ravens Head Coach

On January 19, 2008, Harbaugh was hired as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

January 23, 2008: Hired Cam Cameron as Offensive Coordinator

On January 23, 2008, John Harbaugh hired Cam Cameron as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

September 7, 2008: Debut as Head Coach

On September 7, 2008, John Harbaugh made his debut as head coach, with his Ravens team defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 17–10.

2008: Started Tenure with Ravens

In 2008, John Harbaugh began his 18-season tenure as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

2008: Hired as Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens

In 2008, John Harbaugh was hired as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL).

2008: AFC Champion Defeats Ravens in Playoffs

In 2008, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Ravens in the playoffs and went on to win the Super Bowl.

January 26, 2009: Named Greg Mattison as Defensive Coordinator

On January 26, 2009, John Harbaugh named Greg Mattison as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

January 10, 2010: AFC Wild Card Round Victory

On January 10, 2010, Harbaugh led the Ravens to an upset 33–14 victory over the New England Patriots in the AFC Wild Card Round.

2010: Led Ravens to 12-4 Record

In the 2010 season, Harbaugh led the Ravens to a 12–4 record and a Wild Card berth.

January 9, 2011: Wild Card Round Victory over Chiefs

On January 9, 2011, the Ravens, led by Harbaugh, defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30–7 in the Wild Card Round.

February 14, 2011: Signed Contract Extension

On February 14, 2011, Harbaugh signed a three-year extension, keeping him under contract through 2014.

2012: AFC North Title

In 2012, the Baltimore Ravens finished with a 10–6 record and won the AFC North.

2012: Super Bowl XLVII Victory

In the 2012 NFL season, John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens defeated his brother Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

2012: Outstanding Civilian Service Award

Prior to the 2012 season, Harbaugh was awarded the third-highest honor within the Department of the Army Civilian Awards, the Outstanding Civilian Service Award, for substantial contributions to the U.S. Army community.

January 20, 2013: AFC Championship Victory

On January 20, 2013, John Harbaugh's Ravens defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship.

February 3, 2013: Super Bowl XLVII Victory

On February 3, 2013, John Harbaugh's Ravens defeated his brother Jim Harbaugh's 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

September 5, 2013: Signed Four-Year Contract Extension

On September 5, 2013, John Harbaugh signed a four-year contract extension with the Ravens.

2014: Inducted into Cradle of Coaches

Following the 2013 season, Harbaugh was inducted into Miami University's "Cradle of Coaches" in 2014.

2014: AFC Champion Defeats Ravens in Playoffs

In 2014, the New England Patriots defeated the Ravens in the playoffs and went on to win the Super Bowl.

2014: Last Playoff Win Before 2020

In 2020, Harbaugh led the Ravens to an 11–5 record, a Wild Card berth, and their first playoff win since the 2014 season, also breaking the NFL record for most road playoff games won.

2014: Playoff Appearance and Victory over Steelers

In the 2014 season, Harbaugh led the Ravens to a 10-6 record, a playoff berth, and a Wild Card Round victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2014: Contract End Date

On February 14, 2011, Harbaugh signed a three-year extension, keeping him under contract through 2014.

2015: First Losing Season

In 2015, Harbaugh experienced his first losing season with the Ravens, finishing with a 5–11 record due to injuries to key players.

2015: Jim Harbaugh Becomes Head Coach for Michigan Wolverines

In 2015, Jim Harbaugh became the head coach for the Michigan Wolverines.

2015: Last Losing Season Prior To 2021

In 2021, after an 8–3 start, Harbaugh led the Ravens to a late-season collapse, finishing 8–9 and missing the playoffs. It was the first time since 2015 that the Ravens suffered a losing season under Harbaugh.

2016: Missed Postseason

In the 2016 season, John Harbaugh and the Ravens finished with an 8–8 record and missed the postseason.

August 28, 2017: Signed One-Year Contract Extension

On August 28, 2017, John Harbaugh signed a one-year contract extension with the Ravens, keeping him under contract through the 2019 season.

2018: AFC North Title

In the 2018 season, Harbaugh led the Ravens to a 10–6 record and won the AFC North, which saw the emergence of Lamar Jackson as the team's quarterback.

January 24, 2019: Signed Four-Year Contract Extension

On January 24, 2019, Harbaugh signed a four-year contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens, keeping him under contract through the 2022 season.

2019: AP NFL Coach of the Year

For his work during the 2019 season, Harbaugh was honored as the AP NFL Coach of the Year.

2019: Franchise-Best Record

In 2019, Harbaugh guided the Ravens to a franchise-best 14–2 record.

2019: Contract End Date

On August 28, 2017, John Harbaugh signed a one-year contract extension with the Ravens, keeping him under contract through the 2019 season.

2020: Alison Harbaugh Plays Lacrosse for Notre Dame

From 2020, Alison Harbaugh, John Harbaugh's daughter, played lacrosse for the University of Notre Dame.

2020: Playoff Win and Record for Road Playoff Wins

In 2020, Harbaugh led the Ravens to an 11–5 record, a Wild Card berth, and their first playoff win since the 2014 season, also breaking the NFL record for most road playoff games won.

2021: Late Season Collapse

In 2021, after an 8–3 start, Harbaugh led the Ravens to a late-season collapse, finishing 8–9 and missing the playoffs. Harbaugh came under scrutiny for failed two-point conversion attempts.

March 29, 2022: Signed Three-Year Extension

On March 29, 2022, Harbaugh signed a three-year extension with the Ravens that ran through the 2025 season.

December 11, 2022: 32nd Matchup Against Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin

December 11, 2022, marked the 32nd matchup between Harbaugh and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

2022: Contract End Date

On January 24, 2019, Harbaugh signed a four-year contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens, keeping him under contract through the 2022 season.

2023: AFC North Title and Playoff Run

In 2023, Harbaugh led the Ravens to a 13–4 regular season record, winning the AFC North. The Ravens defeated the Texans in the Divisional Round before falling to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship.

2023: Jim Harbaugh Coaches Michigan Wolverines

In 2023, Jim Harbaugh was the head coach for the Michigan Wolverines.

2024: Alison Harbaugh Plays Lacrosse for Notre Dame

In 2024, Alison Harbaugh played lacrosse for the University of Notre Dame.

2024: Jim Harbaugh Becomes Head Coach of the Los Angeles Chargers

In 2024, Jim Harbaugh, John Harbaugh's younger brother, became the head football coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

2024: Ravens Finish 12-5 and Win AFC North Title

In 2024, John Harbaugh led the Ravens to a 12–5 record and an AFC North title. The Ravens defeated the Steelers 28–14 in the Wild Card Round before losing to the Bills 27–25 in the Divisional Round.

March 28, 2025: Harbaugh Signs Three-Year Contract Extension

On March 28, 2025, John Harbaugh signed a three-year contract extension with the Ravens, extending his tenure through the 2028 season.

2025: Alison Harbaugh Plays Lacrosse for South Florida

In 2025, Alison Harbaugh played lacrosse for the University of South Florida for their inaugural season.

2025: Contract End Date

On March 29, 2022, Harbaugh signed a three-year extension with the Ravens that ran through the 2025 season.

January 6, 2026: Fired as Ravens Head Coach

On January 6, 2026, Harbaugh was fired after 18 seasons as the Baltimore Ravens head coach.

January 20, 2026: Harbaugh Becomes Giants Head Coach

On January 20, 2026, John Harbaugh was officially announced as the 21st head coach of the Giants, signing a five-year contract. He reports directly to the owner, John Mara.