U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the NFL coaching carousel on January 7, publicly encouraging teams to hire veteran head coach John Harbaugh, less than 24 hours after the Baltimore Ravens announced they were moving on from him.
Harbaugh officially entered the coaching market following his dismissal on January 6, which brought an end to his 18-year run with the Ravens. The decision came on the heels of Baltimore’s heartbreaking last-second loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 4, a defeat that knocked the team out of playoff contention and capped off an underwhelming 8–9 season.
What Did Donald Trump Actually Say About John Harbaugh?
Trump shared his endorsement on Truth Social, writing: “HIRE JOHN HARBAUGH, FAST. HE, AND HIS BROTHER, ARE TOTAL WINNERS!!!”
During his tenure in Baltimore, Harbaugh established himself as the most successful head coach in franchise history, compiling 180 wins and guiding the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII victory in February 2014.
Originally hired in 2008 from a special teams background, Harbaugh remained at the helm for nearly two decades, overseeing one of the most stable and competitive stretches in team history.
President Donald Trump weighs in on John Harbaugh: https://t.co/9c2VkdM3gT pic.twitter.com/w4TdIDUoxJ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 7, 2026
Harbaugh addressed his firing in a statement released by the Ravens later on Tuesday, saying, “Well, I was hoping for a different kind of message on my last day here, someday, but that day has come today😊,” before adding, “It comes with disappointment certainly, but more with GRATITUDE & APPRECIATION.”
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He continued, “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.”
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Harbaugh has already drawn interest from more than half a dozen NFL franchises, making him one of the most coveted coaching candidates on the market.
Trump’s comments also follow past public interactions involving the Harbaugh brothers and the former president. In July 2025, John Harbaugh notably pushed back against a reporter’s question regarding his White House visit, addressing it in the context of Trump’s earlier criticism of Baltimore.
Harbaugh later elaborated on the visit while addressing how the topic was raised, saying, “How you framed that question — I would have framed that question like: ‘You got a chance to go visit with the president, man. What was that experience like?’”
He continued, “It was amazing. It was awesome. And I promise you I root for our president. I want our president to be successful just like I want my quarterback to be successful, and I want my team to be successful.”
John’s brother, Jim Harbaugh—now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers after leading the University of Michigan to the 2023 College Football Playoff championship—shared similar sentiments following the visit.
“There’s a lot of gratitude there to be invited to the White House to meet the President with my family,” Jim said, according to Fox News. He added that Trump was particularly gracious toward their parents during the meeting.
Jim also noted that throughout his career, he has met multiple U.S. presidents from both political parties, as well as Pope Francis, whom he mentioned while reflecting on the notable figures he has encountered.
John Harbaugh ‘At Peace’ Following Ravens Firing As NFL Interest Builds
Former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is reportedly “at peace” following his departure from the franchise, according to a source familiar with the situation. After 18 seasons in Baltimore, Harbaugh was dismissed but has quickly become one of the most prominent names in the current NFL coaching cycle.
Despite the decision, league-wide interest in Harbaugh has been immediate and strong, with seven NFL teams reportedly linked to the Super Bowl–winning coach as organizations assess their head-coaching vacancies.
“John is at peace with the decision,” a source told ESPN. “He believes this is best for all parties.”
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Over his lengthy tenure with the Ravens, Harbaugh built one of the most successful résumés in franchise history. He led Baltimore to six AFC North titles, four AFC Championship Game appearances, and a Super Bowl victory during the 2012 season, establishing a standard of sustained competitiveness.
As teams continue offseason evaluations, Harbaugh stands out as one of the most experienced, accomplished, and sought-after coaches available on the market.
