Jim Harbaugh on brother John's firing: 'He'll be attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind the next opportunity'

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When news broke Tuesday that John Harbaugh had been fired as the Baltimore Ravens head coach after 18 mostly successful seasons with the franchise, it sent a tidal wave through the NFL, turning the current coaching cycle upside down.

Harbaugh, in the eyes of many, has become the No. 1 head coaching free agent, while the Ravens have likely become the top vacancy.

Unsurprisingly, one of Harbaugh’s AFC contemporaries believes there is no finer head coach to be had.

“John Harbaugh’s the best coach I know, the best coach I’ve ever seen,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday. “I’m his brother, so I might be biased.”

Jim Harbaugh, 62, knows first-hand just how tough it is to coach against big bro John, 63, as the latter owns a 3-0 record when the two have opposed each other.

John Harbaugh was dismissed Tuesday following his 18th season with Baltimore — ending the second-longest coaching tenure in the NFL. He had a 180-113 record as the Ravens head coach, 100 more wins than any other coach in franchise history and 14th in NFL history. Along the way, his teams captured six AFC North titles, made 12 playoff appearances and won Super Bowl XLVII — against his brother Jim’s San Francisco 49ers.

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Including the Ravens, there are now seven NFL head coaching vacancies. John Harbaugh will be atop many a franchise’s wish list. Unfortunately for Jim, three of those potential suitors — the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans — are within the AFC with the Raiders sharing the AFC West with the Chargers. Thus, younger brother Jim knows it’s likely more Harbaugh Bowls will lie ahead.

“He’ll be a head coach next year,” Jim said. “We’ll be playing against him in some form or fashion.”

He’s still crossing his fingers they won’t share the same conference, though.

“As I told him, whatever team he goes to is going to be formidable,” Jim Harbaugh said. “Just hope it’s in the NFC.”

Jim admitted he was surprised his brother was fired, “as were many,” he added.

With the Chargers playing at the Ravens in 2026, perhaps there will be a bit more added incentive for the younger Harbaugh against his brother’s now-former team.

As the hiring cycle hits full swing and the Chargers enter the playoffs Sunday against the New England Patriots, Jim is ultra-confident that John will respond to his firing recharged and ready to approach his next job with vigor and fervor.

Said Jim: “He’ll be attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind the next opportunity.”

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