Indiana University Athletics
PHILADELPHIA NAMES HARBAUGH SPECIAL TEAMS COACH
2/18/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
PHILADELPHIA NAMES HARBAUGH SPECIAL TEAMS COACH
Bloomington, Ind. - Indiana University today announced that special teams/defensive backs coach John Harbaugh has resigned to become special teams coach with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"Needless to say, I am really excited about having this opportunity to join the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff," said Harbaugh. "It is a great opportunity for my wife, Ingrid, and me and we are really looking forward to the new challenges that this position will present. At the same time, I leave Indiana with mixed emotions because I am extremely excited about the future of the football program at Indiana University."
A 14-year veteran of the Division I coaching ranks, the 35-year-old Harbaugh joined Cam Cameron's staff at Indiana prior to the 1997 season after spending the previous eight seasons at the University of Cincinnati. While with the Bearcats, he spent time working as the club's assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, running backs coach, outside linebackers coach, tackles and tight ends coach, and recruiting coordinator at different times during his tenure. While with the Hoosiers, Harbaugh tutored all-Big Ten honorable mention punter Alan Sutkowski and freshman kicker Andy Payne. Payne's 15 field goals in 1997 was the third highest total in school history. Harbaugh's kickoff coverage and kickoff return teams also ranked among the Big TenUs best.
"John is an intelligent, hard-working, driven coach who has all the tools to succeed in the National Football League," said Indiana head coach Cam Cameron. "He fits the profile of many of the finest special teams coaches in that league and I expect him to have nothing but success. John was a key component of our entire football operation and he will be missed by all of us. However, this is a great professional opportunity and I am extremely happy for him."
Prior to joining the Cincinnati staff, Harbaugh spent two seasons (1988-89) at Morehead State University where he served as defensive secondary coach, special teams coach, and strength and conditioning coordinator. In his two seasons, the Morehead State defense improved its points allowed average by 12 points per game.
Harbaugh also served as tight ends coach at the University of Pittsburgh in 1987 where he worked for his uncle, head coach and current ESPN college football commentator Mike Gottfried. That season, the Panthers finished with an 8-3 record and played in the Bluebonnet Bowl. Prior to coaching at Pitt, Harbaugh was a running backs coach and outside linebackers coach at Western Michigan (1984-86). He received a master's degree in education from Western Michigan in 1986.
A 1983 graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Harbaugh played
defensive back for the Redskins from 1980-83. His wife, Ingrid is an
exercise physiologist. Harbaugh's wealth of experience is just a small
part of his connection to the game as his father, Jack, is the head
football coach at Western Kentucky, and his brother, Jim, is the all-pro
quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens and also serves as a full-time
assistant coach on his fatherUs staff at Western Kentucky.
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