How Mike Tomlin Responded To Ravens Firing John Harbaugh

The NFL’s longest-running coaching rivalry ended when the Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh. Mike Tomlin discussed his peer’s stunning exit.

Baltimore parted ways with Harbaugh two days after the Steelers defeated the Ravens to win the AFC North title. Harbaugh spent 18 seasons as Baltimore’s head coach, the league’s second-longest tenure behind Tomlin’s 19 seasons.

Tomlin addressed Harbaugh’s firing during a Wednesday interview on “The Rich Eisen Show.”

“I just have so much respect for Harbs,” Tomlin said. “Our stories will forever be interwoven. This rivalry that we’ve been fortunate and honored enough to be a part of — I just got so much respect for him and how he’s gone about his business. We’ve certainly had some legendary battles over the years.”

Tomlin predicted that Harbaugh would have no trouble landing on his feet. Pittsburgh’s head coach is likely correct, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that seven teams reached out to Harbaugh’s agent less than an hour after his firing.

“It’s unfortunate, but I’m sure that he is going to move on,” Tomlin said. “If he chooses to coach again, I’m sure he will, and I’m sure he’ll be very successful at doing so.”

Tomlin blamed a new sports landscape that no longer allows coaches like him and Harbaugh to stay with one team for too long. After Tomlin, Andy Reid is the only NFL head coach who’s been with his current team for at least 10 seasons.

“More than anything, I just think it’s a larger example of today’s sport culture in terms of not a lot of patience and the entertainment component of what it is that we do,” Tomlin said. “There’s just not a lot of longevity. I’m sure we’d all like to be Don Shula and Tom Landry, but I think those days are gone.”

Tomlin can help ensure he avoids the same fate as Harbaugh by leading the Steelers to a first-round playoff win over the Houston Texans on Monday night.

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