John Harbaugh Prepares For Conference Title Battle Against 'Old Friend' Andy Reid

John Harbaugh's coaching career may have started before Andy Reid, but the two former colleagues will face off for more than just bragging rights on Sunday afternoon.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid go way back when it comes to their coaching careers. 

Harbaugh was on Reid's staff when "Big Red" was turning around the Philadelphia Eagles from a 3-13 doormat to a conference powerhouse. During their time together, the Eagles went to four conference championship games and a Super Bowl appearance. 

Now, 17 years after Harbaugh left Reid for his comfy position in Baltimore, the two long-time friends meet with a Super Bowl appearance in Las Vegas on the line. 

"It’s a big deal in terms of the relationship [with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid]," Harbaugh said Monday. "We were together for 10 years – the first 10 years [of my career] there in Philly... I learned so much. I just learned so much as a coach and as a person. Then, competing against him now [for] all these years has been challenging. Andy’s a great coach. He has a great staff. You can name all the guys...It’s just a very talented group of people, and [I] have the utmost respect for them.” 

Interestingly enough, Harbaugh did not get his coaching start with Reid in the first place. The winningest head coach in Ravens history started as an Eagles assistant in 1998 under then-head coach Ray Rhoades. 

Rhoades left after a dismal 3-13 finish, and there was some doubt that Harbaugh would be retained when the surprise hire of Reid came to town. 

"Andy came in, [and] I was hoping to stay, and he allowed me to do it. I was young and just figuring things out. That was good of him, and [I] hope he’s glad he did look back on it."

Harbaugh led Philadelphia's special teams units for eight seasons before being a surprise hire by the Ravens in 2008. A Super Bowl championship, multiple division titles, and several major playoff wins later, he has become the face of dominance for football in Baltimore. 

Through his 16-year career with the Ravens though, the Western Michigan grad remembers fondly one of the more important lessons he was taught by the current Chiefs head coach. 

"One of the things with Andy [was] he had this 3x5 card behind his desk on his bulletin board," Harbaugh explained. "It said, ‘Don’t judge.’ I got the nerve to ask him about it one time, and he just basically [said] it was a Biblical principle. Take people where they’re at. Assume the best. Try to communicate with everybody on equal terms. I’ve never forgotten that.”

It's Mahomes' Chiefs at Lamar's Ravens in AFC Title Game: 'Not in The Dance Yet!'

When the Ravens and Chiefs meet Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium, they'll compete for the first spot in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. While there will be plenty of emotions surrounding both sidelines, the relationship between Harbaugh and Reid will be on full display. 

At least before kickoff.