New York Giants hire John Harbaugh as coach

John Harbaugh agreed Saturday to become coach of the New York Giants, finalizing the longtime big-market franchise’s all-out search for its top candidate.

Owners John Mara and Steve Tisch made the hiring official less than 72 hours after a lengthy interview and dinner with Harbaugh sealed the deal. The sides started working on a contract Wednesday night when it was clear Harbaugh was in good shape and he canceled meetings with other teams.

Harbaugh should report directly to the owners rather than general manager Joe Schoen.

“Serving as the head coach of this franchise is a tremendous honor,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “I come from a football family and I have a deep respect for the history and tradition of this organization.”

Harbaugh joins the Giants less than two weeks after being fired by the Baltimore Ravenswho made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons under his leadership and won the Super Bowl in the 2012 season. Baltimore failed to make the playoffs this year due to a missed kick at the buzzer in the season finale, leading the owners to make a change and put Harbaugh on the market.

Schoen and the Giants pounced, bringing in a proven winner. Harbaugh was airlifted aboard co-owner Steve Tisch’s private plane earlier this week, spent several hours at the team’s facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey, speaking with young quarterback Jaxson Dart and wining and dining at the nearby Elia Mediterranean restaurant.

With the court process complete, Harbaugh is now tasked with turning around the beleaguered franchise that has made just two playoff appearances in the last 12 years and failed to advance past the divisional round. Todd Monken could follow him from Baltimore to become offensive coordinator, unless he takes a head coaching job in Cleveland or elsewhere.

“Joe Schoen presented us with an exceptional group of candidates, which allowed us to be deliberate and confident in this decision,” Mara said. “Throughout many conversations, John always stood out for his conviction and vision to lead a winning organization. »

Harbaugh I got the job ahead of Kevin Stefanski, Mike McCarthy, Raheem Morris and Antonio Pierce, edging out some expected favorites who were pushed aside as soon as the 63-year-old became available. The opportunity to work for a stable owner and Dart made New York an attractive landing spot compared to places like Tennessee, Atlanta and Miami.

“John is a proven winner whose teams are disciplined, resilient and prepared,” Tisch said. “His passion for the game, ability to connect with players and experience leading at the highest level made him an ideal fit for us, and we are excited to move forward together.”

The Giants have talented pieces in place on both sides of the ball, including running back Cam Skattebo, receiver Malik Nabers and left tackle Andrew Thomas on offense, as well as the pass rushers. Brian Brule And Abdul Carter and nose tackle Dexter Lawrence on defense. They have the fifth pick in the draft to add to that stock.

Changing the losing culture that has pervaded the Meadowlands for most of the last decade now rests on Harbaugh’s shoulders. Including playoff games, the seven coaches who followed 2007 and 2011 Super Bowl champion Tom Coughlin went 45-105-1, a .300 winning percentage.

Harbaugh is 193-124 in 317 games, with a .609 winning percentage, since taking over the Ravens in 2008. He spent the previous 10 seasons as an assistant with Philadelphia, primarily as special teams coordinator and then as defensive backs coach.

Schoen, after learning from Tisch and co-owner John Mara that he was coming back for a fifth year as general manager, said the search would not be limited to just offensive or defensive options. Although Harbaugh comes from special teams, he provides the kind of well-rounded coach Schoen was looking for, along with a championship pedigree and reputation that should earn him immediate respect in the locker room.

This is Schoen’s second hire after bring Brian Daboll with him from Buffalo, where both were Bills assistants, in January 2022. fired Daboll on November 10 after the Giants lost eight of the first 10 games in his fourth season as coach.

Mike Kafka coached the group as the interim replacement after being promoted to offensive coordinator, and the team lost five straight games before winning its final two games to finish with a 4-13 record. Kafka interviewed but was never a serious candidate for the full-time position.

Almost no one compared to Harbaugh, giving the Giants an off-field victory that might be their biggest victory in several years.

“Throughout our conversations, John stood out for his clarity, competitiveness and approach to building a winning and sustainable program,” Schoen said. “He has a strong track record of developing players, building cohesive teams and establishing clear standards of accountability. We are excited to work with John to move this team in the right direction.”

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