Harbaugh denies any contact with Dolphins about coaching

Cordial relationship with owner Ross led to rumors

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh emphatically denied having had any contact with the Miami Dolphins about their vacant head coaching job before Brian Flores was hired this offseason.

Harbaugh, who was reportedly interested in coaching the Dolphins while negotiating a contract extension with the Ravens, was asked during a conference call with the South Florida media Wednesday whether the team reached out to him or his agent regarding the coaching job.

“No,” Harbaugh said as the Ravens and Dolphins prepare for Sunday’s regularseason opener at Hard Rock Stadium. Dolphins owner Steve Ross is known to have a cordial relationship with Harbaugh, who is entering his 12th season as Ravens coach.

The rumor surrounding Harbaugh, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2013, and the Dolphins was ultimately considered as leverage in contract negotiations. Harbaugh, who had one year remaining on his previous contract, signed a four-year extension in January to remain with the Ravens through the 2024 season.

Ross also has a relationship with Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, the former 49ers coach who is entering his fifth season as the head coach at Michigan — a school to which Ross has donated at least $300 million toward the business school and athletics program.

Ross had discussions with Jim Harbaugh for the Dolphins coaching job in 2011 — before denying any interest to pursue him again last December after former coach Adam Gase was fired following the 2018 season.

“I know and respect Jim Harbaugh, but with my relationship with Michigan, I would not have an interest in hiring him,” Ross said in a text message to the South Florida Sun Sentinel at the time.

The Dolphins hired Flores, a first-time NFL head coach who spent 15 years in the Patriots organization, one day after New England won Super Bowl LIII in February.