OWINGS MILLS, Md. — John Harbaugh is officially back for a 12th season leading the Ravens.
“Grateful, faithful and highly motivated to get to work,” he said.
The head coach spoke publicly Friday for the first time since the end of the season and since he signed a new four-year contract.
It’s good through the 2022 season.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but it’s believed to put the 56-year-old among the league’s highest paid coaches, earning an estimated $8-$9 million per season.
“Just very grateful to stand here,” said Harbaugh. “It’s an honor and a privilege to coach the Baltimore Ravens.”
Harbaugh had one year left on his old contract. He ripped it up to sign the new one.
An extension was never a guarantee, especially midway through his latest season when the Ravens owned a 4-5 record. They finished 10-6, winning the AFC North Division and making the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 season.
Harbaugh admitted the thought of potentially having to coach a different team did cross his mind.
“Yes, everybody gives thought to those things,” he said.
He added that he always thought the new deal would get done.
“I figured it was going to happen. I never thought it wasn’t going to happen.”
Next year will be different for the fourth-longest tenured head coach in the National Football League. For the first time he’ll be working for a General Manager other than Ozzie Newsome.
Eric DeCosta has taken over.
He was in the room for the press conference at the Under Armour Performance Center. Harbaugh said his relationship with the G.M. and the decision-making structure will remain the same.
“To me I haven’t seen too much of a change,” said Harbaugh. “To me it doesn’t matter who’s got what say over what. It’s never been about that here.”
DeCosta is scheduled to meet the media for the first time as G.M. on Wednesday.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
