The New York Giants have officially filled their head coaching vacancy, finalizing a five-year deal with former Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Saturday. The team confirmed the hire shortly after NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo reported the agreement.
“We are proud to name John Harbaugh as the next head coach of the New York Giants,” said team owner John Mara. “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.”
Harbaugh, 63, brings a proven track record to New York. He led the Ravens to the playoffs in 12 of his 18 seasons in Baltimore, including six AFC North titles and a Super Bowl championship. Known for building disciplined, resilient teams, Harbaugh inherits a Giants roster with high-end talent, including quarterback Jaxson Dart, running back Cam Skattebo, wide receiver Malik Nabers, and a defensive trio of pass rushers Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter.
A point of negotiation during the hiring process was the reporting structure. Harbaugh will report directly to ownership rather than GM Joe Schoen, a distinction he confirmed in an interview with The Athletic. “It was building the football operations structure. The conversations with John and Chris Mara and Joe about that were great,” Harbaugh said.
The two-day delay in finalizing the contract added to fan anticipation, as New York looks to return to postseason relevance after just two playoff appearances since its last Super Bowl in 2011. Harbaugh was also reportedly pursued by the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans but ultimately opted for the Giants, setting the stage for a new era in Big Blue.
“John is a proven winner whose teams are disciplined, resilient, and prepared,” said Giants chairman Steve Tisch. “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.”
With Harbaugh at the helm, the Giants hope to turn promise into sustained success in the NFC East.
