Former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has opened up about splitting ways with the team.
The Baltimore Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh shocked the football world on Tuesday, splitting ways with each other after 18 years . The long-time head coach broke his silence on the situation shortly after.
"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 & APPRECIATION," Harbaugh wrote in a statement . "Gratitude to the owner and organization who was willing to bring in a head coach who made his mark with Special Teams success. A difficult thing to do … and Appreciation for all the moments, all these years, that are etched into eternity."
Harbaugh, 63, first joined the Ravens as their head coach in 2008, later leading the team to a victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. He ends his tenure in Baltimore with the NFL coaching record for the most road playoffs wins (eight).
However, it is the Ravens lack of postseason success that ultimately led to the team parting ways with him. Baltimore has consistently failed to reach the high expectations of those around the league, and it seems the organization believed it was finally time for a fresh start.
Harbaugh becomes the seventh head coach on the outs heading into the offseason. Among those included is Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Sunday night's "AFC North Championship" was the 40th installment of Harbaugh vs. Mike Tomlin, and it certainly was the biggest matchup since 2008. The winner punched their postseason ticket while the loser's season ended.
Not only did it end for Harbaugh, but it might have just cost him his job. The Steelers have had their way with the Ravens as of late, winning 10 of their last 13 meetings.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : John Harbaugh Breaks Silence After Parting With Ravens
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