John Harbaugh is Ravens’ new coach

John Harbaugh was hired Friday as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who hope their second choice proves to be a first-rate success.

Harbaugh spent this season as Philadelphia’s secondary coach after making a name for himself working with special teams. He has never been a head coach but has coaching in his genes -- his father, Jack, is former head coach at Western Kentucky and his brother, Jim, is head coach at Stanford and a former quarterback with the Ravens.

The 45-year-old Harbaugh, who received a four-year contract, will be introduced as the third coach in Ravens history at a news conference today. Harbaugh replaces Brian Billick, who was fired on Dec. 31 after a nine-year run. The Ravens earlier this week offered the job to Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who turned it down in favor of staying in Dallas.

The Washington Redskins lost a contender for their coaching vacancy when Seattle Seahawks assistant Jim Mora withdrew from consideration.

Mora, the former Atlanta Falcons head coach, is one of five coaches to interview with Redskins owner Dan Snyder. Mora met with Snyder on Wednesday and Thursday.

Bill Callahan, fired as coach at Nebraska after last season, was hired as assistant head coach/offense by the New York Jets.

Callahan, who coached the Oakland Raiders to the 2002 AFC title before they lost to Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl, has 31 years coaching experience -- nine in the NFL.

The Dallas Cowboys hired Hudson Houck as offensive line coach, returning him to the job he had on two of the Super Bowl-winning teams in the 1990s.

Houck left Miami when former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells fired most of the Dolphins coaches after taking over as executive vice president of football operations.

Houck replaces Tony Sparano, who is the new Dolphins head coach.

Mike Carey will become the first black referee in Super Bowl history. Carey, in his 18th year as an official, was notified by the NFL office this week he had the assignment for the Feb. 3 game in Glendale, Ariz.

Super Bowl officials are chosen on merit, with the highest ranked at each position getting the assignment.

Justin Tuck signed a $30-million, five-year contract extension that could keep the defensive end with the New York Giants through 2013.

Tuck, who had a career-high 10 sacks this season, finalized the deal only two days before the Giants were to play the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship.

Denver Broncos tight end Daniel Graham won’t be charged after his arrest on suspicion of harassment against his former girlfriend.

Prosecutors told a judge they won’t file charges. Graham was arrested Jan. 11 after his former girlfriend, also the mother of his child, told deputies he struck a bedpost during an argument.