The New York Giants have made it official: John Harbaugh is heading to the Big Apple on a five-year deal to become the franchise’s next head coach. It’s a seismic move for a team looking to re-establish its identity, and Harbaugh brings both the pedigree and the presence to do just that.
“Today is an exciting day,” Harbaugh said in a statement to Jay Glazer. “What a privilege it is to join the Maras and Tischs and the whole organization.
I am so fired up about the players on this team. Looking forward to the great things we can accomplish together!”
This hire has been in the works for days, and while there were some internal hurdles to clear, the outcome always felt like a matter of when, not if. One of the key wrinkles?
Harbaugh will report directly to owner John Mara - a notable shift from the Giants’ traditional structure. That setup signals just how much sway Harbaugh will have in shaping the future of this team, and it also hints at how important alignment was in getting this deal across the finish line.
There was some buzz around whether GM Joe Schoen would remain in place, and while he’s staying on, the new power dynamic suggests Harbaugh wanted - and got - a seat at the big table. This isn’t just a coaching hire. It’s a philosophical shift.
The contract reportedly lands in the $100 million range, putting Harbaugh among the league’s highest-paid head coaches. That kind of investment tells you everything you need to know about the Giants’ expectations. They’re not rebuilding - they’re reloading, and they believe Harbaugh is the man to lead them back to relevance.
It’s also fair to expect a wave of familiar faces to follow him to New York. With Harbaugh’s deep ties to Baltimore, don’t be surprised if several Ravens assistants are linked to the Giants in the coming weeks. Building out the right staff will be critical, especially as Harbaugh transitions into a new conference and a new locker room.
Harbaugh, 63, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record. His NFL journey began back in 1998 with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he served as both the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. After a decade in Philly, he took over in Baltimore in 2008 - and the rest, as they say, is history.
In 18 seasons with the Ravens, Harbaugh compiled a 180-112 regular season record, good for a .616 winning percentage. That run includes 12 playoff appearances, a Super Bowl title in 2012, and a 13-11 postseason record.
He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2019 and signed multiple extensions with the Ravens, including one just this past offseason. But after the 2025 campaign, Baltimore decided to move in a different direction, paving the way for this next chapter.
For the Giants, this is more than just a fresh face on the sideline - it’s a statement of intent. Harbaugh brings championship experience, a no-nonsense approach, and a reputation for building tough, disciplined teams. He knows how to win, and now he’s being handed the keys to one of the NFL’s most storied franchises.
The Giants haven’t had the consistency or success they’ve wanted in recent years, but in Harbaugh, they’re banking on a coach who’s been through every phase of team-building - and come out the other side with hardware to show for it. Whether he can replicate that success in New York remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the Giants are going all in.