John Harbaugh Subtly Acknowledges Ravens Firing During Commencement Address

John Harbaugh Subtly Acknowledges Ravens Firing During Commencement Address

John Harbaugh (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • John Harbaugh delivered a commencement speech at Miami University, reflecting on lessons from his coaching career.
  • He was fired as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens after failing to qualify for the playoffs last season.
  • Harbaugh has taken on a new challenge as head coach of the New York Giants, focusing on changing the team's culture.

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh returned to his alma mater, Miami University of Ohio, over the weekend to give a commencement speech. Harbaugh graduated from MU in 1984 with a degree in political science and also played safety for the Red Hawks.

While addressing the latest batch of graduates, Harbaugh shared some valuable lessons he has learned during his coaching career and explained that the students can avoid making the same mistakes he made.

Harbaugh worked 18 seasons as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, delivered several winning seasons, and won a Super Bowl. However, every positive experience eventually reaches its conclusion. The Ravens parted ways with him after they failed to qualify for the playoffs last year. Despite the disappointing conclusion, Harbaugh accepted his fate and moved on to another challenge.

There are going to be tough times. You might get a call with some bad news. Maybe about your job. Maybe they will tell you they don’t want you anymore, and it’s time to move on. That happens. In those moments, I hope you will find resilience and rejoice in all the good you still have.

John Harbaugh said via New York media’s Jordan Raanan

Harbaugh rose through the ranks in college football, bouncing around from Western Michigan, Pittsburgh, Morehead State, Cincinnati, and Indiana before bagging his first NFL gig with the Philadelphia Eagles. During Andy Reid‘s era as the Eagles’ head coach, Harbaugh served as the special teams coordinator and the defensive backs coach.

Ahead of the 2008 season, the Ravens appointed him as the team’s new head coach. Five years into his coaching tenure, Harbaugh led the AFC North franchise to its second-ever triumph in the big game. However, the Ravens never managed to replicate the same success. The only time Baltimore made a strong push for the Super Bowl was in 2023, but the Kansas City Chiefs knocked them out in the AFC title game.

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Why did the Ravens fire John Harbaugh?

Baltimore was seen as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl prior to the start of the 2025 season. With two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson as quarterback, the Ravens looked like a force to be reckoned with. However, Jackson picked up multiple injuries throughout the year and missed several games, essentially derailing the Ravens’ season.

John Harbaugh Subtly Acknowledges Ravens Firing During Commencement Address
John Harbaugh (Image via IMAGO)

Baltimore remained in the hunt for a playoff spot until the last day of the regular season. A win would have guaranteed a wild-card spot. They took on the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 18, and a missed field goal from rookie kicker Tyler Loop tipped the balance of the game in the Steelers’ favor. Pittsburgh advanced to the playoffs with a 26-24 victory.

Not long after the defeat, the Ravens fired Harbaugh. Owner Steve Bisciotti revealed that it was a matter of time before he relieved Harbaugh of his duties. Qualification for postseason football would have only delayed the inevitable for a few weeks.

John Harbaugh has a tough job in the Big Apple

Unlike his peer, Mike Tomlin, Harbaugh searched for another shot at being a head coach. The Giants coaxed him into becoming theirs. The 63-year-old was swayed by the opportunity of managing a team full of young stars: quarterback Jaxson Dart, wide receiver Malik Nabers, running back Cam Skattebo, and pass rusher Abdul Carter.

The biggest move Harbaugh made after signing the contract with the Giants was letting Dexter Lawrence join the Cincinnati Bengals. He addressed the departure by drafting Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese fifth overall.

The Giants play three preseason games against the Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. They kick off the year against divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, at MetLife Stadium. FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano noted that even though the Giants are set to play teams whose combined win percentage was .574 last year; they are in a good position to win.

When a new coach is trying to change a losing culture, he needs to get off to a fast start. And the schedule gives John Harbaugh a chance to do just that. From Weeks 3 to 6, the Giants play the [Tennessee] Titans, [Arizona] Cardinals, [Washington] Commanders, and [the New Orleans] Saints — four teams that had a combined .250 winning percentage last season, and all of those games except for the one against Washington will be played at home.

Vacchiano wrote

The Giants are not expected to be world beaters in Harbaugh’s debut season. But a change in culture and discipline in the locker room will be a good start for the G-Men.

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