CBS analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo offered a take so controversial that it caused a popular ESPN personality to have a full-scale meltdown on television.
Tony Romo and broadcast partner Jim Nantz were on the call for the Baltimore Ravens-Washington Commanders Week 6 contest at M&T Bank Stadium. During the third quarter, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback offered a giant hot take on the 2019 Coach of the Year:
“John Harbaugh, one of the best coaches…He’s a top 10 (head coach) all-time for me. He’s one of the rare coaches who knows all three phases: Special teams, defense, offense and he just has a great pulse. That’s why this team’s in it every year.”
One can argue that John Harbaugh will go down as a top 10 coach when he retires, but putting him that high right now is a little premature. But let’s say that perhaps nobody passionately disagreed with Romo’s take more than ESPN’s Chis Russo.
Speaking on Wednesday’s edition of “First Take”, Russo went on a scathing rant against Tony Romo for placing Harbaugh in the top 10.
“During the game, he says…John Harbaugh is one of the top 10 coaches, without a doubt, in the history of pro football. WHAT?! Have you heard of Don Shula? Have you heard of Chuck Noll? Have you heard of Andy Reid? Have you heard of Bill Belichick…Weeb Ewbank? HAVE YOU HEARD OF VINCE LOMBARDI?!…Paul Brown…Bill Walsh? Bill Parcells? Joe Gibbs?
He’s getting $17 million a year! At Northern Illinois, did he read a football book?…How in the world can you go on TV and ruin my Sunday afternoon?!”
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Tell us how you really feel, Chris.
Tony Romo faced the Harbaugh-coached Ravens twice during his playing career, in 2008 and 2012. Harbaugh’s team emerged victorious in both meetings.
Romo has first-hand experience of what it’s like to face Harbaugh, who has coached the Ravens to four AFC Championship Game appearances (2008, 2011, 2012, and 2023) and a Super Bowl 47 title.
But a top 10 coach in history? Romo won’t find many takers to agree on that take right now.
Tony Romo’s Take On John Harbaugh Should Age Gracefully
John Harbaugh enters Week 7 with 164 career wins, which is 19th in history. The late Dan Reeves occupies the 10th spot with 190 wins, and Harbaugh is still behind Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (177 wins) and Dallas Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy (170 wins) on the career leaderboard.
But Harbaugh is 62 years of age, which isn’t that old for an NFL coach these days. And with his Ravens in Super Bowl contention every year, it’ not a stretch to believe that he’ll be considered a top 10 coach when he walks away.
