The end of John Harbaugh’s historic run in Baltimore signals a turning point for one of the NFL’s most stable franchises. After years of success, playoff appearances, and a Super Bowl title, the Ravens are turning the page. While Harbaugh exits as one of the most respected coaches in league history and likely won’t be unemployed for long, Baltimore now faces a massive decision. With a win-now roster, a two-time MVP quarterback, and playoff-caliber talent across the board, the Ravens immediately become one of the most attractive coaching openings in football.
Rather than recycling the same NFL names, Baltimore could look to college football for its next leader. Here are five college coaches who could realistically make the leap to the Ravens.
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
Marcus Freeman feels like the prototype for the modern NFL head coach. Young, respected, detail-oriented, and already linked to professional opportunities, including the New York Giants earlier this season, the idea of Freeman making the jump would not come as a shock.
What makes Baltimore especially intriguing is timing. The Ravens are not rebuilding; they are ready to compete immediately. Freeman would inherit a playoff-ready roster, a proven superstar quarterback in Lamar Jackson, and an organization that values toughness and discipline, two traits his Notre Dame teams consistently embody.
Freeman has quickly become one of college football’s fastest-rising stars. He led Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff final last season and narrowly missed another CFP berth this year. Under his leadership, the Irish have played balanced, physical football on both sides of the ball.
According to PFSN metrics, Notre Dame posted top-10 impact grades on both offense and defense during Freeman’s tenure. That two-way excellence mirrors the identity Baltimore built during its glory years with Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. If Freeman has any interest in testing himself at the next level, the Ravens would be wise to make him a priority and for him to at least answer the phone call.
Lincoln Riley, USC
Lincoln Riley’s name has hovered around NFL coaching rumors for years, and for good reason. Often compared to Sean McVay for his offensive creativity, Riley represents exactly what a copycat league continually chases: innovation, adaptability, and an explosive offense.
Now imagine Riley designing an offense for Lamar Jackson.
The fit would be electric. Riley’s wide-open, quarterback-friendly system would unlock elements of Lamar’s game reminiscent of his Heisman-winning days at Louisville. Pair that with Derrick Henry punishing defenses in the run game, and Baltimore’s offense would instantly become one of the most feared units in the league.
In an NFL obsessed with finding the next big thing, offensive guru Riley will always be in the conversation. Yes, defense still wins championships, but fans and owners crave offensive firepower, and Riley delivers that in spades.
There’s also a personnel pipeline angle. Baltimore could target a familiar face in the draft, such as USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, who posted an elite 85.1 PFSN grade, fourth-best nationally, en route to winning the Biletnikoff Award. If the Ravens want to fully lean into an offensive revolution, Riley would be a bold and fascinating choice.
Bill Belichick, North Carolina
If there’s one situation that could lure Bill Belichick back to the NFL, it’s Baltimore.
Belichick’s brief and underwhelming stint at North Carolina did little to tarnish his NFL legacy, but it did reinforce one truth: College football is no longer his playground. Despite massive hype, UNC finished 4-8 and missed a bowl game entirely. The Tar Heels posted a 73.3 offensive PFSN grade and a 76.8 defensive grade, both in the bottom half of the FBS.
Baltimore offers something different: no rebuild, no patience required, just one more legitimate Super Bowl run. The roster is ready, the quarterback is elite, and the infrastructure is in place. If Belichick wants to add one more Lombardi Trophy to an already overloaded case, this would be the spot.
Matt Rhule, Nebraska
Matt Rhule’s situation at Nebraska has grown increasingly uncertain. What many expected to be a stabilizing season unraveled late, as the Cornhuskers lost four of their final six regular-season games and were blown out by Utah in their bowl game, finishing 7-6 overall.
Injuries played a major role. Starting quarterback Dylan Raiola went down, torpedoing the offense. Losing Raiola to the transfer portal only compounded the issues. Missing out on transfer portal targets like Kenny Minchey has not helped either.
Rhule does have NFL experience from his stint in Carolina, though it ended poorly with an 11-27 record over 2.5 seasons. Still, Baltimore may view him differently, as a program builder who has proven capable of raising the bar at struggling organizations.
According to PFSN, Nebraska still posted a respectable 80.2 offensive grade, though the defense lagged at 73.1. If the Ravens believe Rhule has learned from his NFL missteps, they could view him as a second-chance candidate worth considering.
Matt Patricia, Ohio State Defensive Coordinator
This one feels strangely plausible.
Matt Patricia’s NFL head coaching record of 13-29-1 with the Lions leaves much to be desired, but his résumé as a defensive mind remains strong. A longtime lieutenant under Bill Belichick, Patricia played a key role in multiple Patriots Super Bowl runs.
After rebuilding his reputation in college, Patricia delivered a defensive masterclass at Ohio State in 2025. The Buckeyes finished with a 95.1 PFSN Defensive Impact Grade, fourth-best nationally, while dominating across every major metric, allowing just 4.0 yards per play, second-fewest, a nation-best 9.3 points per game, and an FBS-low 219.1 total yards per contest, all while fielding the best pass defense in college football.
That elite defense fueled a 12-0 regular season despite postseason shortcomings. Patricia also helped develop future NFL talent like Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs and Kayden McDonald.
If the Ravens want to return to their physical, defense-first identity, Patricia’s recent success could make him an intriguing reset candidate. Sometimes, the right second chance, with the right roster, changes everything.
