John Harbaugh's Work Ethic

[Ragin'Raven]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10012376/baltimore-ravens-head-coach-john-harbaugh-clocks-long-hours-prep-game-day-espn-magazine

This is an interesting look into the normal (although probably not the same events week after week) routine of John Harbaugh. It's going to appear in the ESPN Magazine sometime next month, but I'm fascinated by how much time coaches think they need into preparing for games every week. I would make it three days before calling Uncle. All I can say is someone needs to give the man a bed in his office so he can at least get off the couch! ;) It really is a look into the crazy world of NFL head coaches, especially our own. Here's an excerpt..

Monday
5:50 a.m. Wake up on office couch

6-8 Review opponent game tape

8-8:15 Call Ingrid (wife)

8:15-8:30 Breakfast with LS Morgan Cox, K Justin Tucker, P Sam Koch and QB Joe Flacco

8:30-8:45 Meet with team president Dick Cass

8:45-9:15 Meet with assistant GM Eric DeCosta

9:15-9:45 Prep for team meeting

9:45-10:15 Meet with senior offensive assistant Craig Ver Steeg

10:15-11:15 Review opponent game tape

11:15-11:45 Meet with player leadership committee

11:45-12:15 p.m. Lunch with Ingrid and Alison (10-year-old daughter)

12:15-1 Sit in on special-teams meeting

1:00-1:20 Team meeting

1:20-2:45 Sit in on offense and defense meetings

2:45-3:35 Meet with GM/Executive VP Ozzie Newsome

3:35-4 News conference prep with Kevin Byrne, senior VP of public and community relations

4-4:25 News conference, local TV interview, Ravens TV interview

4:30-5:30 Work out

5:30-5:45 Call from John Madden

5:45-6:20 Dinner with assistant coaches

6:20-6:30 Review last game's plays for submission to officials

6:40-6:50 Meet with head athletic trainer Mark Smith

7-11:15 Watch upcoming opponent tape

11:30 Sleep on office couch

"Sleeping at the office is about maximizing my time. I can get more done if I eliminate time I'd spend driving home. Plus, if I come home too late, chances are I'll wake up my wife."

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

bless his socks, that's insane busy, wow

[Ragin'Raven]

bless his socks, that's insane busy, wow

I wondered why, when he's said that the Ravens organization is a family environment, why he doesn't even talk to his wife or daughter on Tuesday and only eats lunch with them one day a week. That's none of my business, but I just found that interesting.

[Chris K]

I wondered why, when he's said that the Ravens organization is a family environment, why he doesn't even talk to his wife or daughter on Tuesday and only eats lunch with them one day a week. That's none of my business, but I just found that interesting.

 

How subjective of you.. I'm sure if he could manage the time he would spend tons with his family, but I think every coach realizes that they are coaching for their job. If he doesn't dedicate an insane amount of work, he is hurting his family by losing his job, is he not?

[Ravenseconbeast]

I just saw it @espn.   It's incredible how much work Harbaugh does in daily routine.   Props to him.   

I see why Kubiak/Fox gets a stroke/faints.   It's a rough business to be in.   

[Ragin'Raven]

How subjective of you.. I'm sure if he could manage the time he would spend tons with his family, but I think every coach realizes that they are coaching for their job. If he doesn't dedicate an insane amount of work, he is hurting his family by losing his job, is he not?

It's actually not that big of an issue because that insane lifestyle doesn't last the entire year. I don't think anyone can keep up a schedule like that for 12 months, no matter who you are. In the off-season, after their last game, I'm sure the hours get cut drastically.

[berad]

Rough business and a lot of hard days. Hope everyone stays well

[AsianRice]

Coaching in NFL is not easy, not to mention being a head coach of the reigning defending champion 2013.....

 

He is showing his examples to his coaching staffs and players.....blue collar working...

 

It's even sad that we lost so many games by less than 6 pts....

 

 

PS:  Well, at least "God" has giving the Ravens nation the second SB.......no complain...

[TDubbs]

Coaches put in insane hours, and they deserve the money they get paid. I love Harbaugh, have since the minute we signed him. He's the type of lifetime coach we could have here for many many years. 

[Inqui]

It's interesting how everyone loves to talk about how much Brady and Peyton put in, but that really puts things into perspective. It's a pretty brutal life, and it's interesting how easily we as fans criticise what we think they're doing or not doing but how little we actually know about their jobs.

 

On another note, I loved this bit about meeting with Steve Bisciotti on Wednesday nights:

 

"Steve has become one of my closest friends. We try to sit down and talk at least once a week, whether he wants to just shoot the breeze or teach me something. I really value our relationship; it's a bit like having a big brother."

I love Steve so much. He just strikes me as an insanely rich fan who did what I could only dream of doing with a billion dollars (buying an NFL franchise). He seems like someone doing it for the love of the game and I love that.

[Stephenjr]

Maybe he needs a break? That could be why he has made some very questionable coaching decisions this year. We all have to take everything in moderation, or it could become unhealthy! John you should watch the movie Click with your family! Family First!!!

[Ragin'Raven]

My father-in-law was a workaholic, not to this extreme I don't think, but he worked a ton of hours. It's how you balance it all in the end. You can work 90+ hours and be spent at the end of the week. Or, you can work 90+ hours and still make your spouse and children feel like they are the only ones in your world. It's all in how you approach your time spent at home when you get there. I don't see Harbaugh being a lifer in this league. I don't even think he'll still be coaching at 60. So do it all while you can, because life moves fast. I admire his work ethic. It's crazy and maniacal, but it ends in Jan./Feb. With that said, you'll never convince me that it's necessary to do all that.

[Militant X 1]

no wonder why coaches fall or pass out from stress.  please stay well and healthy Harbs.

 

#Mili

[Bltravens]

His wife is 1 in a million (no offense to any women here meant).  Can't be alot of women out there that would put up with their husband not even sleeping with them at nights, let alone him not being home all day.

[Passepartout]

His wife must be one patient wife you know!

[Gordo52]

Wow that's a crazy schedule!!

Sometimes I forget how commited these coaches are and how invested they are to the team. They work week in and week out while dealing with a lot of stress. Like others have said, no surprise with what happened to Kubiak and Fox...

That's why I feel a bit of sadness every time one gets fired.. You just don't wake up and be a coach. They commit their whole lives for this. But at least they're living their passion. I just couldn't imagine doing that every day.... Plus working out!!! Lol

[rafahash]

I just love coach Harbs.

[Larryterri]

Disturbingly, I don't see "shower" on the list...

[K-Dog]

I got tired reading it...

[hawkprey]

I've also heard reports from some people on this board that he spends most of the day in an isolation chamber until noon on Sunday and has never heard of football. So I'm not sure who to believe.

[Bltravens]

Disturbingly, I don't see "shower" on the list...

Lol. Nice.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Thats why they get paid the big bucks

[K-Dog]

Disturbingly, I don't see "shower" on the list...

He has one of his assistants do that for him.

[ravens533]

Inqui - I agree with your comment about Biscotti. We can  be very thankful that he is also smart and knows how to hire great people to run the organization. Not that I am naming names but we all know an owner that thinks he a good GM and offensive consultant. lol

[Ragin'Raven]

Another thing I found interesting is why coaches don't utilize the iPad for remote use. They can watch their game film, the opponent's game film, cut up plays, etc. on them. It would make sense then that they could easily do that anywhere. Some are creatures of habit I suppose. If you think kids, etc. would be a distraction, watch it after they go to bed. There are plenty of ways around workaholism. It's just almost impossible to change 20-30 years worth of habit I guess.

[Tank 92]

Another thing I found interesting is why coaches don't utilize the iPad for remote use. They can watch their game film, the opponent's game film, cut up plays, etc. on them. It would make sense then that they could easily do that anywhere. Some are creatures of habit I suppose. If you think kids, etc. would be a distraction, watch it after they go to bed. There are plenty of ways around workaholism. It's just almost impossible to change 20-30 years worth of habit I guess.

 

 

If I'm not mistaken, I think the entire organization utilizes iPads for various tasks.

[Ragin'Raven]

If I'm not mistaken, I think the entire organization utilizes iPads for various tasks.

I know that. I meant that they can do just about anything anywhere on the iPad, but they still choose to hunker down in their offices and do it.

[Tank 92]

I know that. I meant that they can do just about anything anywhere on the iPad, but they still choose to hunker down in their offices and do it.

 

 

That's because you can't manage 60 or 70 people 7 days a week on an iPad from home. And, I'm guessing the coaches watch film together.

[Ragin'Raven]

That's because you can't manage 60 or 70 people 7 days a week on an iPad from home.

You can once those 60-70 people have gone home for the night. ;) I know what you're saying. I agree with it a little bit. I just think coaches are their own worst enemies and can make accommodations. Others have, ala Dungy or Cowher, who both won Super Bowls and never slept in their offices. I don't know. It does put a light into the craziness that is football season. None of these guys could do that year round. It's insane. Take Sundays for example. Every head coach in the league probably goes back to his office after Sunday's game to watch tape that's probably done on an iPad. Just seems like it can be done remote just as well. Just an observation. They're creatures of habit. It won't change them.

[Alexir]

I've been in the Castle, they definitely have enough offices to give him a guest bedroom lol