Rob Long: Let's Not Get Crazy
I've said several times how I'm not a member of the John Harbaugh Fan Club. That goes without saying. What I haven't said is that I don't think the guy is a good coach. All I know is he's the Head Coach of a team that has gone to the post-season five consecutive seasons and has three AFC Championship games and a Superbowl on his resume. I don't care who you are, that's impressive.
It's come to my attention that many listeners of 105.7 The Fan who call in complaining about his play calling and game management actually want him fired. Fired? I can't believe that after what Baltimore Ravens fans have seen, they want that guy fired.
Some have suggested that he had nothing to do with the success of the past five years. I can't believe what I'm hearing. Yes, having great players is the key to winning titles, but Del Harris had Shaq and Kobe but they didn't win until Phil Jackson came to town. Coaches matter.
There may be things that you don't like about John Harbaugh. That is your right. However, firing a guy that has his track record without any true failure makes no sense. That's what bad organizations do. The Ravens aren't a bad organization. They did what good organizations do by giving that coach an extension. Not predicting any failure, but he has a few years to fail before any talks of a hot seat.
It's okay to sit in "wait and see" mode. That's actually quite natural because so many of the fan favorites have gone. However, there are few coaches who have put together a five year period that resembles the one Harbaugh has had. You have to give him some credit.
