John Harbaugh did some wonderful things in 18 years with the Ravens.
Two achievements — one the ultimate team accomplishment, the other an individual honor — he experienced only one time each. His lone Super Bowl victory came after the 2012 season. He received his lone Coach of the Year award for his work during the 2019 season.
That coaching honor, though, most likely brings back bittersweet memories for Harbaugh. The Ravens went 14-2 that season to earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC, establishing themselves as favorites to get to Super Bowl LIV in Miami. But the road to South Florida was blocked by the Titans, who upset the Ravens in the AFC divisional playoff round. The 14 victories in the regular season did not lead to a single playoff win.
Still, why only one Coach of the Year award for someone who is 180-113 and has qualified for the postseason 12 times in 18 seasons? This is less about Harbaugh’s worthiness and more about the nature of how the candidates for the award usually are differentiated.
