John Harbaugh and Bill Belichick matched wits 12 times on the football field, including two AFC championship games between the Ravens and Patriots.
On Tuesday, they were on the same side, as Belichick accepted Harbaugh's invitation to come to the Under Armour Performance Center as a guest speaker at the launch of the Harbaugh Coaching Academy.
Belichick was part of a round table discussion alongside Harbaugh, father Jack Harbaugh, and brother-in-law and former men's college basketball coach Tom Crean as they launched the Harbaugh Coaching Academy.
John Harbaugh said he texted Belichick, who is waiting for his next coaching opportunity, weeks ago to see if he would come speak. When he didn't hear back, Harbaugh thought it was a no-go. But the six-time Super Bowl winner got in touch recently to say he would be in town and wanted to come.
"I can't believe it. I was blown away," Harbaugh said. "You see how smart and how good he is. I'm going to go back and take some notes and get better."
Brother Jim Harbaugh called in live before a Los Angeles Chargers OTA practice to offer a few words and John joked that he should leave his camera running during practice. The brothers will face off again on Nov. 25.
The distinguished panel exchanged coaching stories, including about player discipline, how to shape the next crop of leaders, and the importance of coaching. Belichick said he's "learned a ton from other coaches" but not typically ones also in the NFL. He joked that he's not going to reach out to Harbaugh about his problems and won't be helping the Ravens' coach solve his issues either.
Harbaugh and Belichick have long had a good relationship, even through their high-stakes playoff games. Belichick called Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti in 2008 to recommend Harbaugh for Baltimore's head coaching job. Harbaugh has called Belichick the "greatest coach of this generation" and said he studied the renowned coach. They have similar backgrounds as special teams coordinators before becoming head coaches. Belichick also has deep ties to Maryland as an Annapolis native.
"Thank you for the opportunity to be here," Belichick said in closing. "I appreciate what you [coaches] do."
