OWINGS MILLS, Md. — John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens fan may not be the next fast-rising offensive or defensive coordinator. It could be a coach looking for a second redemptive chapter in his career.
In Tuesday’s press conference, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti revealed that he will not release the team because he struggled in his first time as a coach.
“The thing that I know that I will probably take it on the chin is that if the candidate for the election is from the past[head] A coach with a losing record,” said Bisciotti, “and all of you will have to understand that we will be able to judge that failure by his circumstances and marry that and not disqualify them.”
The Ravens are in the middle of the first round of interviews, which are expected to be completed early next week. Baltimore will cut the list to five finalists, who will have face-to-face interviews next week at the team’s facility.
Of the nine coaches Baltimore interviewed, five had losing records as head coaches: Vance Joseph (11-21), Kevin Stefanski (45-56), Kliff Kingsbury (28-37-1), Brian Flores (24-25) and Jim Schwartz (29-51). Another Ravens entrant with a losing streak as a head coach is Robert Saleh (20-36).
“I think you have to remember that they were the hottest coaches in their cycle, and they got jobs and they got tough jobs, and I don’t think we had a tough job,” Bisciotti said. “I think we created the best opening this cycle, so, that was one phase I didn’t want to overlook, because the first thing you guys are going to say is, ‘My God, he went 38-48 in his last job, and they’re hiring him.’
Bisciotti added, “So, it would be very easy for me to try to avoid those former coaches because they have losing records, but I tell you, we are serious about their situations, and we will not let their first firing in the job affect us badly this time.”
Other coaches interviewed by Baltimore are: Broncos game coordinator Davis Webb, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator Chardinafer Chardinafense. The Ravens are also scheduled to speak with Bills coordinator Joe Brady, former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
When asked if there was an urgency for the next coach to win a Super Bowl, Bisciotti recalled how Brian Billick led Baltimore to a Super Bowl championship in his second year as coach and Harbaugh won the franchise’s second Vince Lombardi Trophy in his fifth season as coach.
“Maybe I’ll give this guy six [years],” Bisciotti said with a smile before adding, “I hope we pick the type of guy that will take us there. I think we have a list that can do it. I think we have GM [Eric DeCosta] that can make that list better if you fly, and yes, I’ll be patient up to that point. I’d probably give him five or six years — as long as I like everything else I see in him.”
Bisciotti has only had two coaches (Billick and Harbaugh) in his 22 seasons as the main owner of the Ravens. He WANTS to avoid this bad practice that he has seen in many teams where they hire a new coach every three to four years.
“To me, that’s hell on Earth,” Bisciotti said. “So, we’re going to fix it, and we’re going to do it so well that we’re going to have a lot of patience. Is that right? We’re going to be very confident in our selection that we’re going to give him a good amount of patience.”
Here are some takeaways from Tuesday’s hour-long news conference:
Bisciotti wants to work out a new deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson in March.
The two-time NFL MVP’s salary number balloons to $74.5 million this offseason. Baltimore needs to get that number down before the start of free agency because it takes up about 25% of their salary cap.
“The urgency of this is important to me because we have free agents and I don’t want to go into free agency with this hanging over us,” Bisciotti said. “And I made that clear to Lamar and I think he was very appreciative of my situation and I hope he’s willing to work with Eric. [DeCosta, Ravens general manager] and let’s not pull this thing in April as the last one. It’s very difficult for him to build a list if that thing is not resolved.”
Bisciotti said DeCosta kept Jackson in the coaching search, writing to the quarterback after every interview. Jackson was invited by Bisciotti to attend the final round of interviews in Baltimore.
Bisciotti didn’t hear any hate from Harbaugh after he fired him.
Bisciotti apologized for firing Harbaugh over the phone, but according to the owner, Harbaugh told him, “‘You don’t owe me anything. You gave me 18 years. You picked a special teams guy. Who did that? I’m happy and satisfied and disappointed, but I love you and I respect you.’
Two days later, Bisciotti called Harbaugh for another interview. Bisciotti offered advice to Harbaugh about the head coaching opening. Harbaugh gave Bisciotti advice about the Ravens.
“We’ll be friends forever,” Bisciotti said.
Bisciotti expects to sell the Ravens in about 10 years.
Bisciotti decided a long time ago that he would not hand over the team to his family because he saw that it had caused conflict with many families. For the first time, Bisciotti revealed a timeline for when he could sell the club.
Bisciotti, 65, doesn’t want to be like owners Jerry Jones, Arthur Blank and Stephen Ross who chased Super Bowls in the 80s.
“I want to win a couple of Super Bowls and get the hell out of here,” Bisciotti said. “I’d like that to be in the next 10 years when I’m 75. That’s my dream.”
Bisciotti added a caveat.
“If I have one of the top 75 teams [years old]I will probably stay until [I’m] 76,” Bisciotti said.
Bisciotti has faith in DeCosta.
After a coach is fired, there are often questions about job security for the general manager. But Bisciotti gave a strong vote of confidence to DeCosta, who has been the team’s GM since 2019.
“I think Eric is one of the best GMs in the league,” Bisciotti said. “I think he’s hitting .800. I’m just doing a number for you, but I’m not going to look at Eric’s 200 whiffs. I’m going to look at his 800 hits and doubles and home runs. To me, that’s fine. I’m very happy for Eric.”
It was a difficult time for DeCosta, who was close to Harbaugh. DeCosta and Harbaugh were neighbors at the Ravens facility — their offices were across the hall from each other — and at home where they lived next to each other.
“I know that Eric has been thinking about his failure and how it contributed to our dear friend being shown the door, so no one is harder on him than Eric,” said Bisciotti. “So, I think I can leave him alone for a while and focus on what we found here with the empty chair.”
