Giants Name John Harbaugh New Head Coach on Five-Year Deal

The New York Giants have hired John Harbaugh as their new head coach. He agreed to a five-year contract on Saturday, just 11 days after the Baltimore Ravens fired him. The 63-year-old coach now leads a team that has struggled with a 7-27 record over the past two seasons. Giants owners see him as the right person to fix things because of his winning record and Super Bowl win.

Background

John Harbaugh spent 18 years as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. His teams went 180 wins and 113 losses in that time. He won Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, beating the San Francisco 49ers. Ravens fans and players respected him for building tough, prepared teams year after year. But last week, after missing the playoffs, the Ravens let him go. It was a surprise to many because of his long success there.

Harbaugh comes from a football family. His brother Jim is the general manager of the Ravens. His father Jack coached college teams for years. John started coaching in college then moved to the NFL. He took over the Ravens in 2008 and turned them into contenders right away. Over those 18 seasons, his teams made the playoffs 11 times. They reached the Super Bowl twice. Players often talked about his focus on discipline and hard work.

The Giants needed a change too. They fired Brian Daboll in November after a rough start. Mike Kafka took over as interim coach for the last seven games. The team finished near the bottom of the league. Owners John Mara and Steve Tisch wanted someone with experience to lead. They started a wide search for a new coach as soon as Daboll was out.

Key Details

Harbaugh agreed to the Giants' offer earlier this week. The deal pays him $20 million each season. He told reporters he chose New York because of the team's history and people.

"This is the New York Giants. I'm proud and honored to be the head coach of this historic franchise, and especially excited to work with the Mara and Tisch families. But most of all, I can't wait to get started with the great players on this football team to see what we can accomplish together." – John Harbaugh

The Giants moved fast to get him. They brought him to their facility on Wednesday for a full day of talks. He flew home on owner Steve Tisch's private jet. Before that, Harbaugh met with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday. He had plans to talk with the Tennessee Titans later in the week. But New York was the first team to host him in person. Team leaders saw him as the top pick from the start.

The Giants' Search Process

General manager Joe Schoen looked at many candidates. The team did in-person interviews with Mike Kafka, Mike McCarthy, Raheem Morris, Kevin Stefanski, and Antonio Pierce. They also had virtual talks with Lou Anarumo from the Colts, Vance Joseph from the Broncos, and Darren Rizzi from Denver. Schoen put together a strong list. Mara said it let them take time to pick the best one.

"We are proud to name John Harbaugh as the next head coach of the New York Giants," team president John Mara said. "Joe Schoen presented us an outstanding group of candidates, which allowed us to be deliberate and confident in this decision. Through numerous conversations, John consistently stood out for his conviction and vision for leading a winning organization, and we welcome him and his family to the Giants."

Steve Tisch added his thoughts too.

"John is a proven winner whose teams are disciplined, resilient, and prepared," Giants chairman Steve Tisch said. "His passion for the game, his ability to connect with players, and his experience leading at the highest level made him an outstanding fit for us, and we're excited to move forward together."

Harbaugh replaces Daboll, who coached for two full seasons. The Giants went 6-11 in 2024 and 1-16 this year before the firing. Kafka went 1-6 as interim. Fans have waited for a big name like Harbaugh. He brings a track record of 180 regular-season wins, second most among active coaches before this move.

What This Means

Harbaugh takes over a roster with young talent but many holes. The Giants have quarterback issues and need help on defense. His first job will be to pick a staff. He often hires people he knows from past stops. In Baltimore, he worked with coordinators who stayed for years. Expect him to look for similar faces here.

The five-year deal gives him time to build. No quick fixes expected. Giants fans hope his methods bring steady wins like in Baltimore. The team has not made deep playoff runs in years. Last time was 2012 under Tom Coughlin. Harbaugh's focus on preparation could change the culture.

League-wide, this hire sets a tone. Other teams like Atlanta and Tennessee still search. Harbaugh was high on their lists too. New York locking him up fast shows their push. For the Giants, it means stability at the top. Schoen keeps his job for now. Together, they face pressure to draft well and spend in free agency.

Harbaugh must adjust to New York. Baltimore was home for nearly two decades. The Giants play in a big market with high expectations. MetLife Stadium holds over 80,000 fans. Wins matter fast here. But his experience should help. He coached stars like Lamar Jackson and Ray Lewis. Now he meets Giants players like Dexter Lawrence and Malik Nabers.

Offseason starts soon. Harbaugh will talk to the team this week. Training camp comes in summer. First games in September. Fans watch his first moves close. The hire ends a long wait after a bad stretch. It starts a new chapter for the franchise.