Jim Harbaugh believes his brother John will be a head coach next season: 'I just hope it's in the NFC'
The John Harbaugh sweepstakes is underway after the Baltimore Ravens fired their longtime head coach after 18 seasons on Tuesday. There have been many inquiries about his services from teams looking to fill their openings - even reportedly one team that doesn't currently need a head coach.
Given the amount of interest, it seems very likely Harbaugh will be coaching an NFL team in 2026. That is something his brother Jim, currently preparing his Los Angeles Chargers for Sunday night's playoff game against the New England Patriots, believes will happen as long as it's in the other conference.
"He'll be a head coach next year," Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday. "We'll be playing against him in some form or fashion ... And as I told him, whatever team he goes to is going to be formidable and I just hope it's in the NFC."
John Harbaugh led the Ravens to the playoffs in 12 of his 18 seasons and finished with a losing record just three times. He also was at the helm when the franchise won its second title in Super Bowl XLVII against Jim's San Francisco 49ers.
"John Harbaugh is the best coach I know, best coach I've ever seen. You may say, well I'm his brother so I might be biased," said Jim, who is 0-3 against his brother in their NFL coaching careers.
The New York Giants emerged as one of the favored landing spots for Harbaugh with the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans desperate for a new head coach who will inspire changes.
Harbaugh's resume has made him a desirable candidate this coaching cycle and likely put him in a position where no head coaching decisions will be made by teams until he finds his next team.
Wherever John Harbaugh does land, his brother says that organization will be lucky to have him.
"I could tell he will be attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind, [that] next opportunity," Jim Harbaugh said. "There will be a team that will be a gift, to have the one of the best coaches ever, best coach I know."