Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

John Harbaugh reveals who first suggested OC Todd Monken

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 2/22/23

After 21 interviews with 14 candidates, the Ravens hired Todd Monken as their next offensive coordinator a week ago. But it was not anyone in the organization that had their eyes on him at first.

"Todd doesn't even know this. It started with a call I got from my sister, Joani Crean," head coach John Harbaugh told reporters. "Joani just tells me, 'you've got to talk Todd Monken' ... that really got me thinking in that direction."

John Harbaugh introduces new OC Todd Monken: pic.twitter.com/IyYSw6BrIh
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 21, 2023

Monken spent the last three years at the University of Georgia as the football team's offensive coordinator. While Tom Crean, Joani's husband, has been serving as the head coach of Georgia's men's basketball team. That connection is what started it all.

"When Tom [Crean] was in Georgia the last couple of years, Joani and Tom got to know Todd and his wife," Harbaugh added. "We're kind of both from the midwest originally, so we know a lot of the same people."

Monken helped the Bulldogs win two straight national championships and now he's hoping to do the same for Baltimore.

If things do work out for the Ravens, fans in Baltimore have a lot of thank you's to send Joani Crean's way.

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