Concluding his weekly Monday press conference less than 24 hours after the Ravens’ 28-13 victory in the AFC Championship, coach John Harbaugh made two announcements regarding his staff for the upcoming 2013 season.
Offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell will remain in that position next season after resurrecting a Baltimore offense that was sputtering in the month of December. Replacing Cam Cameron on Dec. 10, Caldwell has been credited for creating an open line of communication with both players and fellow offensive assistants that has catapulted the unit to terrific production, specifically from quarterback Joe Flacco in the postseason.
“It was a move that was the best move at the time we felt,” said Harbaugh while reflecting on the decision on Monday. “That was the best thing for our football team. All the contributions and all the work that had gone into what we’d done before that had gotten us to that point and put us in position to move on from there. To me, it all goes kind of together in total.”
The news was hardly surprising after the Ravens advanced to their first Super Bowl since Jan. 28, 2001.
Harbaugh also announced former Eagles defensive coordinator and offensive line coach Juan Castillo has been hired as a consultant for the remainder of this season and will serve as the Ravens’ run-game coordinator next season. Harbaugh and Castillo spent 10 years together coaching in Philadelphia, so it makes sense for the latter to join the Baltimore staff.
It was interesting to note that Harbaugh made the announcements at the end of his press conference, which prohibited media from asking questions regarding the coaching moves.
