John Harbaugh and the New York Giants agree to a 5-year contract

By Charlotte Carroll, Ian O’Connor and Dianna Russini

New York Giants fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The Giants and John Harbaugh finalized a five-year deal Saturday to make the Super Bowl XLVII champion their next head coach.

“They’re the New York Football Giants,” Harbaugh said. Athletics. “I can’t wait to get started. I know how great our fans are. I’ve seen them pretty up close. We’re going to build a team that’s going to play a style of football that you’ll be proud of.”

Negotiations, which began late Wednesday evening, continued throughout the week as the team and coach worked to reach an agreement.

Harbaugh said Athletics that he would report directly to Giants co-owner John Mara. Historically, the Giants have used a different chain of command, with the head coach reporting to the general manager and the general manager reporting to owners Mara and Steve Tisch. But during his 18 seasons as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, Harbaugh reported directly to team owner Steve Bisciotti, and the coach negotiated a similar arrangement with the Giants.

Harbaugh said Athletics that he looks forward to building a strong partnership with Giants general manager Joe Schoen, who is entering the final year of his contract with the team.

Harbaugh received interest from nine teams after he was fired by the Ravens, but the Giants launched a massive campaign to sign the veteran coach. From the start, the Giants were seen as the favorites to land the 63-year-old head coach. Not only was Schoen in contact with Harbaugh in the hours following the shooting, but he also called Harbaugh’s agent several times, according to AthleticsIt’s Ian O’Connor.

The Giants also visited Harbaugh, with executive Chris Mara, the younger brother of co-owner John, recounting Athletics that he met Harbaugh for a Sunday lunch and meeting at the coach’s home. There were phone meetings, and it all led to a daylong meeting on Wednesday, which began with Harbaugh arriving aboard Tisch’s private jet. The day included meetings, a tour of the practice facilities and a meeting with quarterback Jaxson Dart. The tour concluded with dinner at a local restaurant, Elia Mediterranean, before Harbaugh departed.

While Harbaugh’s departure initially worried fans who wanted to not let him out of the building, the conversations continued, and on Wednesday night news broke that Harbaugh was canceling his scheduled interview with the Tennessee Titans at his home on Thursday and reaching a deal with the Giants.

The next step for Harbaugh is to assemble the staff.