The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Hour 1 – John Harbaugh Fired, Jamison Hensley
Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick
Key Guest: Jamison Hensley (ESPN Ravens Reporter)

Overview

Hour 1 of today’s Dan Patrick Show dives headfirst into the bombshell firing of John Harbaugh after 18 years as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Dan unpacks the news, explores whether Harbaugh truly “lost the locker room,” analyzes implications for both Harbaugh and the Ravens, and interviews ESPN’s Ravens insider Jamison Hensley for context and behind-the-scenes insight. The discussion is sharp, reflective, and sometimes playful, with Dan and the Danettes bringing perspective from decades in the sports world.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Firing of John Harbaugh

• Initial Reaction:
  Dan expresses that while not “shocked,” he was “surprised” by Harbaugh’s firing, especially with the timing and the “lost the locker room” narrative.

  "I'm rarely shocked in this business after 40 years and I wasn't shocked yesterday. Was I surprised the Ravens moved on from John Harbaugh? I was." (03:12)

• Lingering Questions:

  • Would Harbaugh still be fired if the Ravens had made the playoffs or won a playoff game?
  • Is "losing the locker room" just a catch-all justification when teams struggle, or is there substance?
  • Dan notes Harbaugh didn’t want to go, which undermines any narrative of a “mutual parting.”

  "It wasn't a mutual parting because John Harbaugh did not want to go." (09:48)

• Immediate Market Interest:

  • Multiple teams (as many as seven) reportedly reached out to Harbaugh’s agent within an hour.
  • Some interest plausibly came from teams with coaches heading to the playoffs—raising questions about backchannel communications.

  "One of my sources immediately said he'll be the Giants number one candidate. He's going to have jobs probably to pick from." (02:22)

2. Lamar Jackson’s Non-committal Response

• Key Clip:
  When asked postgame by Jamison Hensley whether he wanted Harbaugh to remain coach, Lamar Jackson demurred:

  "You asked me about next year, Jameson. Like, I'm so caught up in what just happened tonight. I can't, I can't focus on that right now. I just told you, like he asked me. Are you stunned? I'm stunned right now. I'm still trying to process what's going on. Like, I know we lost, but, like, you know, that's all." (04:43, 15:14)

• Interpretation:
  Dan and Hensley both note that this lack of a clear “endorsement” for Harbaugh, especially compared to how players usually back preferred coaches, is telling.

  "But the easy way to answer that was yes, but hey, I don't want to talk about that now... Unless he doesn't want John Harbaugh back. Feels like there was something going on after 18 years." (05:02)

3. “Lost the Locker Room”—What Does It Really Mean?

• Dan's Take:
  The loose definition of “losing the locker room” is questioned—Is it a few veteran voices, the quarterback, or the whole group? After nearly two decades, growth of staleness is normal.

  "How many guys are going to be there for five consecutive years? So you lose the locker room. When did you lose the locker room? And if so, who did you lose in that locker room? Did you lose your quarterback? Did you lose Derrick Henry?" (05:25)

4. The Ravages of Coaching Tenure in the NFL

• Historical Comparisons:
  Dan draws parallels to Andy Reid’s departure from the Eagles and Bill Belichick’s Patriots exit, noting how departures can work out for all sides but are rarely carefree or mutual.

  "The NFL doesn't reward nostalgia. It's what are you doing for me right now?" (07:16) "Letting go of a legend is never easy, but sometimes it is necessary. I mean, I go back to the Cowboys with Tom Landry. Like, I couldn't fathom that Tom Landry got fired..." (13:25)

• Poll Question:
  Paulie tosses out: "Who's in a better position right now? John Harbaugh or the Baltimore Ravens?" (10:10)

5. Speculation: What Happens Next?

• Harbaugh is seen as highly employable, with the Giants frequently mentioned.

• Dan wonders, tongue-in-cheek, if teams like the Steelers (Mike Tomlin’s future uncertain), Bills (McDermott), or Eagles (Sirianni) might make changes and pursue Harbaugh.

• Ravens’ next move: speculation about whether they’ll look for youth/inexperience to “renovate” and “reinvigorate,” as they did previously with a then-special teams coach Harbaugh.

  "I think they're looking for a coach. It doesn't matter if it's offense or defense. I think they're looking for somebody to reinvigorate this franchise and I think it kind of grown a little stale around here." (23:33, Jamison Hensley)

Jamison Hensley Interview Highlights (18:28–27:59)

Why Ask Lamar About Harbaugh?

• Hensley:

  "Lamar Jackson's the face of this franchise and his opinion carries a lot of weight. ...For Lamar to basically say, hey, you know what? I'm focusing on the loss... was pretty telling." (18:34, 19:17)

Was the Firing Surprising?

• Hensley:
  Most in Baltimore were bracing for change, but expected it at the coordinator level—not with Harbaugh himself.

  "I think it was more that everyone was thinking that it was going to be a change at the coordinator level. And I know up until yesterday that John Harbaugh was pretty comfortable that he was going to be proceeding as the head coach." (19:41)

Did Harbaugh Lose the Locker Room?

• Hensley:
  No overt loss. Team was still playing hard in key games, but the feeling was the Harbaugh era may have just “run its course.”

  "If John Harbaugh lost the locker room, they would have lost those games by a wide margin. ...But I will also say...after eight years, 18 years, he had kind of run his course here." (20:31)

What’s Next for the Ravens?

• Hensley:
  Owner Steve Bisciotti has a history of hiring against the grain ("thin resumes"). Next coach could be an up-and-comer, not a big name. Underlying priority: connect with Lamar Jackson.

  "So I think they need somebody to energize not only that locker room, but Lamar Jackson as well. ...It’s more about how do they connect with Lamar Jackson?" (23:33)

Where Will Harbaugh Land?

• Hensley:
  Sees Giants as a logical match but believes Harbaugh’s availability “changes everything,” even impacting jobs thought to be secure.

  "John Harbaugh is the number one candidate out there for a guy who changed the culture here with the Ravens...I think John Harbaugh being available changes everything." (24:20)

Lamar/Harbaugh Relationship

• Hensley:
  Harbaugh was steadfast in his support—through thick and thin—a “middle guy” between Jackson and critical voices on the staff.

  "No one has had the back of, of, of Lamar more than John Harbaugh." (25:37) "But at a certain point ...there's a certain shelf life when you're coaching Lamar Jackson and this coaching staff reached the end of it." (26:47)

Mike Tomlin’s Tenure as a Comparator

• Hensley:
  Both longtime coaches, both feeling the heat at the end; Harbaugh quoted Billie Jean King: "Pressure is a privilege." (27:17-27:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan on Coaching Change Risks:

  “After nearly two decades of relevance...the NFL doesn't reward nostalgia. It's what are you doing for me right now?” (07:16)

• Hensley on Lamar’s Loyalty:

  "No one has had the back of, of, of Lamar more than John Harbaugh. ...But at a certain point ...there's a certain shelf life when you're coaching Lamar Jackson and this coaching staff reached the end of it." (25:37, 26:47)

• Dan on Locker Room Dynamics:

  “How many guys are going to be there for five consecutive years? So you lose the locker room. When did you lose the locker room? And if so, who did you lose in that locker room?” (05:25)

Time-stamped Key Segments

• 03:12 — Dan’s initial surprise and breakdown of Harbaugh firing
• 04:43 / 15:14 — Key Lamar Jackson “non-answer” on Harbaugh’s future
• 05:25 — Dan questions the meaning of “lost the locker room”
• 10:10 — Paulie introduces the “Harbaugh or Ravens: Who’s better off?” poll
• 18:28–27:59 — Interview with Jamison Hensley: insider’s perspective on the firing, locker room mood, future directions, and Lamar/Harbaugh dynamic
• 23:33 — ESPN's Hensley: Ravens want a coach who can “energize...Lamar Jackson as well”
• 24:20 — Hensley: Harbaugh is "number one candidate" for open jobs; changes entire coaching market

Wrap-up & Takeaways

• Dan and the Danettes reflect on coach lifespans—no matter how legendary—being finite, both because of shifting team needs and inevitable staleness.
• Harbaugh’s market value is soaring; Ravens’ next hire is a pivotal moment for the franchise.
• The “locker room” narrative is complicated—sometimes it’s a few dissatisfied stars, sometimes just time for a new voice.
• More candid, less PR-driven commentary than usual, especially around Lamar’s ambivalence and the realities behind NFL “mutual partings.”

For listeners who missed the episode: This hour is a must for understanding the real dynamics and shockwaves from Harbaugh’s ousting, complete with direct insight from inside the Ravens’ locker room and sharp, thoughtful analysis from Dan Patrick’s seasoned crew.