The winds of change are officially blowing through East Rutherford, and John Harbaugh isn’t wasting any time putting his stamp on the New York Giants. Just days into his tenure as head coach, the Giants are reportedly undergoing a major shakeup on the defensive side of the ball - one that signals a clear break from the past and a fresh start for a unit that struggled mightily in 2025.
According to reports, nearly the entire defensive coaching staff from last season is out. That includes key assistants like Andre Patterson (defensive line), John Egorugwu (inside linebackers), Marquand Manuel (secondary/pass game coordinator), and Jeff Burris (cornerbacks).
Bryan Cox, who served as assistant defensive line coach, had already been dismissed by interim head coach Mike Kafka late last season. The only holdover from the group, at least for now, is outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen - and even his future is still up in the air.
Bullen, for what it’s worth, made a strong impression in a tough spot. After Shane Bowen was relieved of his duties midseason, Bullen stepped in as interim defensive coordinator and brought some much-needed stability.
He’s also got a working relationship with GM Joe Schoen, which could help his case. He’s already drawing interest for full-time coordinator roles elsewhere, but there’s no official word yet on whether Harbaugh plans to keep him in New York.
The house-cleaning isn’t just limited to the defense. Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial is also reportedly out, adding to the growing list of vacancies on Harbaugh’s new-look staff.
If you’re looking for a sign of just how sweeping these changes might be, look no further than the team’s website - Harbaugh is currently the only coach listed. That’s not just symbolic. It’s a clear indication that the Giants are in the middle of a full-scale reset, and Harbaugh is building from the ground up.
On offense, the picture is still coming into focus. While no official decisions have been made about the offensive staff, one name to watch is offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo.
There’s some buzz that he could stick around - and not just because of his coaching chops. Harbaugh’s father, Jack Harbaugh, has reportedly endorsed Bricillo, and his word carries weight.
Jack, of course, is a longtime college head coach with deep ties to the game and to his son’s coaching philosophy.
As for the offensive coordinator role, all signs point to Todd Monken as the frontrunner. Monken worked alongside Harbaugh in Baltimore over the past three seasons, helping engineer one of the league’s most dynamic and balanced offenses. His name has also been linked to the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching vacancy, so the Giants may have to wait a bit before that situation resolves.
On the defensive coordinator front, keep an eye on Jim Leonhard. The former Wisconsin defensive coordinator and current Broncos assistant is reportedly in the mix. Leonhard is known for his ability to craft aggressive, versatile coverage schemes - something the Giants sorely lacked last season under Bowen.
Harbaugh, during his introductory press conference, made it clear that he plans to lean on his Baltimore connections as he assembles his new staff. But that process may not be entirely smooth.
The Ravens have already blocked special teams coordinator Charlie Horton from interviewing for a lateral move to New York, and they could do the same with other assistants Harbaugh has his eye on. The league rules allow teams to block lateral moves, but not promotions - so if Harbaugh wants to bring someone over as a coordinator or assistant head coach, that’s still in play.
Bottom line: the Giants are in the middle of a serious coaching overhaul, and Harbaugh is clearly being given the freedom to build his staff his way. After a frustrating 2025 season where the defense underperformed and the coaching staff came under heavy scrutiny, this kind of reset was probably overdue. Now, it’s about who Harbaugh brings in - and how quickly he can turn this ship around.