With a struggling offense and having lost two straight home games, the Ravens have made a coaching change.
Head coach John Harbaugh fired offensive coordinator Marc Trestman less than 24 hours after Sunday’s 16-10 loss to the Washington Redskins in which the Ravens were shut out over the final 44 minutes of play. Quarterbacks coach Marty Mornhinweg will take over as the offensive coordinator for the remainder of the season.
“My obligations are to the team, the organization, and the fans to be the very best team we can be,” Harbaugh said in a statement released by the team on Monday morning. “Today we find ourselves one game out of the division and conference lead after experiencing two tough losses at home. We will work to be better in every aspect of our football team. Our expectations are high, and we look forward to fulfilling them.
“I appreciate and respect the efforts and contributions Marc has made to the team since his arrival. Marc is a good person and an excellent football coach.”
With the Ravens failing to convert a third down and running the ball just eight times after the first quarter of Sunday’s loss, Harbaugh had apparently seen enough from an offense that has lacked any identity or consistency despite a 3-2 start to the 2016 season. Baltimore is averaging just 18.8 points per game, ranking 23rd in the NFL.
Frustration had continued to mount over the running game as Terrance West averaged 8.6 yards per attempt on just 11 carries in Sunday’s loss despite the Ravens never falling behind by more than one possession. The Ravens currently lead the NFL in passing attempts while ranking last in yards per attempt and 22nd in passing yards per game.
Though remembered by most for his unsuccessful run as the head coach of the Detroit Lions, Mornhinweg owns extensive experience as an offensive coordinator, serving in that capacity with San Francisco, Philadelphia, and the New York Jets. He has worked with such quarterbacks as Hall of Famers Steve Young and Brett Favre and Pro Bowl selections Donovan McNabb and Jeff Garcia.
Mornhinweg will now become Baltimore’s fifth offensive coordinator since the start of the 2012 season.
