### John Harbaugh's Coaching Interview: A New Chapter for the Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons have officially begun their search for a new head coach following the dismissal of Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after a disappointing 8-9 season. On January 12, 2026, the Falcons announced that they had interviewed John Harbaugh, the former head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, marking the start of what many are calling the "John Harbaugh sweepstakes" as he is considered a top candidate for multiple teams in need of a head coach [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/article-15457881/john-harbaugh-atlanta-falcons-coaching-interview.html][https://apnews.com/article/falcons-harbaugh-coach-search-80bcae226e3cae4c9783a982134770c6]. ### Structure of the Coaching Search and Harbaugh's Position 1. **Background of the Falcons' Coaching Change** - The Falcons fired Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot after an 8-9 season, prompting a search for a new head coach [https://apnews.com/article/falcons-harbaugh-coach-search-80bcae226e3cae4c9783a982134770c6]. - Former quarterback Matt Ryan has been appointed as the president of football operations, indicating a shift in the team's leadership structure [https://apnews.com/article/falcons-harbaugh-coach-search-80bcae226e3cae4c9783a982134770c6]. 2. **John Harbaugh's Interview and Interest** - Harbaugh's interview with the Falcons is his first since being fired by the Ravens after 18 seasons [https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/01/12/falcons-complete-interview-of-john-harbaugh-for-head-coaching-vacancy]. - He is seen as a leading candidate for several teams, including the New York Giants, who are also pursuing him [https://nypost.com/2026/01/12/sports/john-harbaugh-interviews-with-falcons-amid-giants-pursuit]. 3. **Potential Impact of Harbaugh's Hiring** - If hired, Harbaugh could bring a wealth of experience and a proven track record, having led the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory and multiple playoff appearances [https://www.ksl.com/article/51432231/falcons-interview-john-harbaugh-and-mike-mcdaniel-as-they-continue-search-to-replace-raheem-morris]. - His leadership style and strategic acumen could significantly influence the Falcons' performance in the upcoming seasons. ### Evidence of Harbaugh's Coaching Credentials - **Coaching Tenure**: Harbaugh spent 18 seasons with the Ravens, achieving a Super Bowl championship and multiple playoff berths. - **Recent Performance**: The Ravens' decision to part ways with Harbaugh came after a season where they failed to make the playoffs, indicating a need for change [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/falcons-interview-john-harbaugh-head-210841842.html]. - **Interest from Other Teams**: Reports suggest that the Giants and Falcons are among the top contenders for Harbaugh's services, highlighting his desirability in the current coaching market [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/giants_falcons_among_john_harbaughs_top_choices/s1_17039_43321221]. ### Conclusion: The Future of the Falcons and Harbaugh's Role In summary, the Atlanta Falcons are actively pursuing John Harbaugh as their next head coach, marking a significant step in their efforts to revitalize the team after a lackluster season. The interview with Harbaugh is a critical first move in a broader coaching search that could reshape the franchise's future. 1. **Coaching Change**: The Falcons are looking to replace Raheem Morris after a disappointing season. 2. **Harbaugh's Interview**: He is a leading candidate, having interviewed with the Falcons first. 3. **Potential Impact**: His hiring could bring significant improvements to the team's performance. The outcome of this coaching search will be pivotal for the Falcons as they aim to return to competitive form in the NFL [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/article-15457881/john-harbaugh-atlanta-falcons-coaching-interview.html][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/john-harbaugh-interviews-falcons-sweepstakes-225600948.html].