John Harbaugh loves coaching the Ravens, lives in the present, and doesn't worry about when his successful career will end.
After recently agreeing to a three-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the winningest coach in franchise history is going full speed ahead like it's Day 1 on the job. The passion that the 62-year-old Harbaugh brings to his job is part of his secret sauce. After 17 years in Baltimore, Harbaugh's zest for coaching remains insatiable, and he's diving into his 18th season with the same enthusiasm he's always had.
"I just love it," Harbaugh said at the NFL owners meetings. "I just love every part of this job, even the things that are hard, even the disappointing moments [and] all the great moments we had this year.
"I also feel like there's a lot more to do. I feel like I have a lot more to prove. Our team has a lot more to prove, and I feel like I have a lot of good ideas, and our group has a lot of good ideas. We're still growing, big time. I just feel like there's no stopping us, and I can't wait to try this stuff out next year. As long as I feel that way, I think I'm going to keep coaching."
Harbaugh's job security was not in question after the Ravens won their second straight AFC North title in 2024 and reached the playoffs for the 12th time in his tenure. However, he's grateful to have reached another agreement and has never begun a season in the final year of his contract
He credited Owner Steve Bisciotti, President Sashi Brown, General Manager Eric DeCosta, former President Dick Cass, and former General Manager Ozzie Newsome for creating a culture that breeds success.
"It means God is amazing and the Ravens organization is amazing," Harbaugh said. "I was talking to actually an agent and he said something to me that really is timely. He said, 'You're 5-for-5 in your head coaching career. You've had the two best team presidents. You've had the two best general managers in the NFL and you've got the best owner in the National Football League. 5-for-5.'
"That's the blessing. That's why we're at where we're at right now. I'm very grateful."
While some coaches eventually suffer from burnout, Harbaugh shows no signs of slowing, He's part of a coaching family that includes his father Jack Harbaugh, a long-time college coach, and his brother Jim Harbaugh who's head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Harbaughs are a closeknit family and coaching is the family business. The Ravens' head coach isn't thinking about retirement. He's thinking about winning another Super Bowl.
"Everybody thinks about it (retirement), but that's not at the forefront of my mind," Harbaugh said. "Honestly, what you think about is: how are we going to get better today, how can we get better, what do we need to do - your players, coaches? Schemes.
"My Dad has the best advice and I think my brother shared this recently. He said, 'Hey, you coach until you just can't take it anymore, when it just gets too much, you don't want to do it, you don't even want to come to work anymore. When you get to that point, you coach for two more years.' And then you move. That's Dad's advice."
