Legendary NFL head coach John Harbaugh has been sacked by the Baltimore Ravens after 18 years following the team's failure to secure the playoffs this season.
The decision, confirmed on Tuesday after several days of deliberation, came in the wake of a devastating 26-24 defeat to divisional rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week of the regular season.
A missed last-gasp field goal by Tyler Loop allowed the Steelers to claim victory and snatch the final playoff spot from Baltimore's grasp.
General Manager Eric DeCosta informed the squad of the departure, bringing to a close one of the most successful coaching tenures in franchise history.
Harbaugh, who turns 64 this year, compiled an impressive 180-113 record during his time in Baltimore, establishing himself as the second longest-serving head coach in the NFL.
His crowning achievement came in the 2013 Super Bowl, when he guided the Ravens to championship glory.
Throughout his tenure, the 63-year-old steered Baltimore to the postseason on 12 occasions, amassing a 13-11 record in playoff competition.
With three years still remaining on his contract, Harbaugh is now expected to emerge as one of the most sought-after candidates in the current coaching carousel.
Legendary NFL head coach John Harbaugh has been sacked by the Baltimore Ravens
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Despite boasting two-time Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson at quarterback since 2018, the Ravens have reached the AFC Championship game on just a single occasion since their Super Bowl triumph 13 years ago.
The franchise had enjoyed considerable consistency in recent years, qualifying for the postseason in six of the preceding seven campaigns.
However, this season's collapse proved terminal for Harbaugh's position, with Baltimore unable to overcome their divisional rivals when it mattered most.
The AFC North title decider against Pittsburgh represented a winner-takes-all scenario, and the Ravens' inability to convert in the closing moments sealed their fate.
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The Ravens' inability to convert in the closing moments sealed their fate
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Harbaugh acknowledged his departure in a statement, saying: "Well, I was hoping for a different kind of message on my last day here, someday, but that day has come today. It comes with disappointment certainly, but more with gratitude and appreciation."
The 63-year-old becomes the fourth head coach to lose his position since the regular season concluded on Sunday, following a wave of dismissals on what has become known as 'Black Monday'.
Pete Carroll departed the Las Vegas Raiders, Kevin Stefanski left the Cleveland Browns, and Jonathan Gannon was removed from the Arizona Cardinals, whilst the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants had already made changes mid-season.
The NFL postseason gets underway this Saturday with Wild Card weekend, featuring six matches across three days as 14 teams begin their pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy.
Along with the Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs will not be among the contenders for the first time in over a decade.
Both conferences feature a mix of established powerhouses and resurgent franchises, with several teams harbouring genuine aspirations of lifting the trophy in California next month.
The door now stands open for a fresh champion to emerge in 2026.
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