The Baltimore Ravens have fired head coach John Harbaugh after the team failed to clinch the AFC North and a playoff spot Sunday night. Harbaugh, 63, said in a statement that he hoped to send out a different message to fans following the team’s end to the season, saying the decision comes with disappointment but, with more gratitude and appreciation. “Gratitude to the owner and organization who were willing to bring in a head coach who made his mark with Special Teams success,” Harbaugh said. “A difficult thing to do … and Appreciation for all the moments, all these years, that are etched into eternity.” Our sister station, WBAL, said Harbaugh ends his tenure with the Ravens with a 180-113 record. He leaves the team with a Super Bowl ring and a 13-11 postseason record.He was with the team for 18 seasons. “This was an incredibly difficult decision, given the tremendous 18 years we have spent together and the profound respect I have for John as a coach and, most importantly, as a great man of integrity,” Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti said in a separate statement Tuesday night. “I will always be grateful for the extraordinary hard work and dedication displayed by John and his staff throughout the many successful years. I wish he, Ingrid and Alison all the best going forward.”The announcement comes after the team lost a winner-take-all match with the Steelers, a game the Ravens lost after a last-second field goal by Tyler Loop sailed wide right.According to the NFL, the Ravens have been among the most successful teams in the league under Harbaugh, but on the heels of an 8-9 season after entering September as a top Super Bowl contender, Baltimore has recognized at long last that things are going stale.Harbaugh, who took over the Ravens in 2008, ends his storied run helming the club with having reached 12 playoffs, four AFC title games, and won Super Bowl XLVII. “Finally, to the author and finisher of our faith, gratitude for a journey beyond anything I could have dreamed of on my own – all is well with my soul because of the good God who guides and sustains me,” Harbaugh concluded. Bisciotti said the team will now begin a new search for a head coach. “We deeply appreciate our fans and will continue to work relentlessly to bring them, our city and the extended community the success they deserve,” Bisciotti said. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH —

The Baltimore Ravens have fired head coach John Harbaugh after the team failed to clinch the AFC North and a playoff spot Sunday night.

Harbaugh, 63, said in a statement that he hoped to send out a different message to fans following the team’s end to the season, saying the decision comes with disappointment but, with more gratitude and appreciation.

“Gratitude to the owner and organization who were willing to bring in a head coach who made his mark with Special Teams success,” Harbaugh said. “A difficult thing to do … and Appreciation for all the moments, all these years, that are etched into eternity.”

Our sister station, WBAL, said Harbaugh ends his tenure with the Ravens with a 180-113 record. He leaves the team with a Super Bowl ring and a 13-11 postseason record.

He was with the team for 18 seasons.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, given the tremendous 18 years we have spent together and the profound respect I have for John as a coach and, most importantly, as a great man of integrity,” Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti said in a separate statement Tuesday night. “I will always be grateful for the extraordinary hard work and dedication displayed by John and his staff throughout the many successful years. I wish he, Ingrid and Alison all the best going forward.”

The announcement comes after the team lost a winner-take-all match with the Steelers, a game the Ravens lost after a last-second field goal by Tyler Loop sailed wide right.

According to the NFL, the Ravens have been among the most successful teams in the league under Harbaugh, but on the heels of an 8-9 season after entering September as a top Super Bowl contender, Baltimore has recognized at long last that things are going stale.

Harbaugh, who took over the Ravens in 2008, ends his storied run helming the club with having reached 12 playoffs, four AFC title games, and won Super Bowl XLVII.

“Finally, to the author and finisher of our faith, gratitude for a journey beyond anything I could have dreamed of on my own – all is well with my soul because of the good God who guides and sustains me,” Harbaugh concluded.

Bisciotti said the team will now begin a new search for a head coach.

“We deeply appreciate our fans and will continue to work relentlessly to bring them, our city and the extended community the success they deserve,” Bisciotti said.

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.