When people take marriage vows, they often say, "For better or worse."
But unions don't always unfold that way, in life, and most definitely in sports.
On Tuesday, Owner Steve Bisciotti and General Manager Eric DeCosta will hold a press conference in the aftermath of the Ravens parting ways with Head Coach John Harbaugh. Listeners will pay attention to every word spoken.
The Ravens don't break up with head coaches often. That reflects the stability of an organization that made the playoffs 12 times during Harbaugh's tenure and won a Super Bowl in 2012. Winning is in the Ravens' DNA, and they've become one of the NFL's model franchises by making the postseason consistently in a league designed for parity.
They've had three coaches in their 30-year history. People have said the NFL really stands for "Not For Long." But for Ravens head coaches, that has never been the case, part of what makes this job opening so attractive to the many coaches who want it.
As we wait for Tuesday's press conference and see updates on who the Ravens are considering, here are my thoughts, all in 50 words or less:
- Baltimore's last two coaches, Brian Billick and Harbaugh, both won Super Bowls. That's important to remember as this search unfolds. The organization's brain trust has done this before. Finding the right person is a daunting task, but the Ravens have shown they know how to deliver.
- Coaches know that in Baltimore, they'll be given the talent and support needed to win. It's not easy to succeed anywhere in the NFL, and the competition is ferocious. But some places are more coach-friendly than others. No one questions whether Baltimore has a structure for success.
- New coaches are making an immediate impact all over the league. Six of the 14 teams in the playoffs have a coach in the first or second year on the job – Bears, Chargers, Jaguars, Panthers, Patriots, and Seahawks. The Ravens will expect their next head coach to win immediately.
- Quarterback is the most important position in the NFL. Lamar Jackson is the Ravens' quarterback. He has not been to a Super Bowl, but he's won two MVPs and could've won three. If a candidate doubts he can win a Lombardi with Jackson, that coach shouldn't be considered.
- John Elway went 14 seasons without winning a Super Bowl, then won Lombardi Trophies in back-to-back years before retiring. Peyton Manning won his first Super Bowl in his ninth season. Jackson is entering his ninth season. His window for winning a championship remains open.
- Eight of the league's 32 teams are looking for a new coach. It's no surprise teams are moving quickly to line up interviews and narrow their list. The Ravens' decision should not be rushed, but you don't want your top candidate to wind up elsewhere.
- Harbaugh was an outside-the-box hire in 2008 because he had spent most of his NFL career as a special teams coach, not an offensive or defensive coordinator. The Ravens won't be afraid to pick someone you may not anticipate. It's not about the résumé. It's about the results.
- Speaking of outside-the-box, 30-year-old Davis Webb was not someone I expected to be on Baltimore's initial list. Webb sounds like a guy destined to become a head coach. But will it happen sooner rather than later?
- Klint Kubiak, Seattle's offensive coordinator, has strong ties to Baltimore. His father, Gary, was an offensive coordinator for the Ravens. Seattle's head coach, Mike Macdonald, was Baltimore's defensive coordinator. When Kubiak interviewed Friday, he likely knew what the Ravens wanted to hear.
- That's another challenge for Baltimore, determining if the strongest interviewer is also the best fit. It's like the NFL Combine, when draft prospects are coached on what to say before they arrive. Many candidates will sound great. The mission is to find one who helps the Ravens achieve greatness.
