Super Bowl XLVII will be the first matchup in the history of
the Super Bowl that will feature opposing head coaches that are brothers.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is one year older than his younger
brother, San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh. This game has already
been nicknamed, “ HarBowl,” and it will be very fun to watch this game with the
coaches being so close to each other.
John, is in
his 5th year as head coach of the Ravens, has compiled a 54-26
record. His Ravens have made the playoffs all five years that he has been coach
but this is their first Super Bowl appearance under John, also their first
Super Bowl appearance since their Super Bowl XXV victory over the New York
Giants. John has made some gutsy moves as a head coach including firing
offensive coordinator Cam Cameron after week 14 and replacing him with Jim
Caldwell. Caldwell has done a great job since taking over for Cameron as the
Ravens have scored over 26 points per game since week 15. John has also done a
phenomenal job drafting players in the NFL Draft including QB Joe Flacco, RB
Ray Rice, WR Torrey Smith, and OT Michael Oher.
After a
successful stint at Stanford, Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach for the
49ers last year. In his first year as coach, the 49ers went to the NFC
Championship game where they lost 20-17 in overtime to the New York Giants. Jim
was named AP NFL Coach of the Year. Like his brother, Jim has always been gutsy
and never afraid of starting a controversy. If you recall, Jim had issues with
Pete Carroll when Carroll was head coach at USC and had an emotional handshake
with Lions coach Jim Schwartz last year that led to some unkind words on both
sides. So it was no surprise when Jim announced that QB Colin Kaepernick would
take over as starting quarterback in week 11 over QB Alex Smith. Jim faced criticism
but has shown that he made the right decision as Kaepernick has flourished
since being named the starter. Besides drafting Kaepernick in 2011, Jim has
also drafted LB Aldon Smith and T Anthony Davis, whom were pro bowlers this
year.
Sunday’s
matchup will be fun to watch. I am just glad I am not John and Jim’s parents.
Who do they root for?
image was used from baltimoresportsreport.com
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