The New York Giants have made their move, bringing in John Harbaugh as their new head coach-a hire that signals a philosophical shift more than a schematic one.
Unlike recent head coaches like Ben McAdoo, Pat Shurmur, or Brian Daboll, Harbaugh isn’t walking in with a playbook under his arm or a reputation as an offensive or defensive mastermind. That’s not his style.
Harbaugh is a true CEO-type coach, someone who oversees the entire operation and leans on his coordinators to handle the X’s and O’s. That approach immediately shifts the spotlight to the next big question: Who’s joining him on the headset?
The early-and loud-buzz centers around Todd Monken, who coordinated the Ravens’ offense under Harbaugh the past three seasons. Monken’s name has been tied to Harbaugh since before the Giants even finalized the hire. According to league insiders, this job is Monken’s to lose.
And it makes sense. Monken helped engineer one of the NFL’s most balanced and explosive offenses in Baltimore.
His system blends pro-style structure with spread concepts, and he’s shown the flexibility to adapt to his personnel-something the Giants desperately need after years of offensive inconsistency. His time at the University of Georgia only strengthened his reputation for developing quarterbacks and designing creative, efficient game plans.
That kind of experience could be a strong match for Jaxson Dart and the rest of New York’s offensive core.
But there’s a wrinkle. Monken is still in play for the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching job, where he’s reportedly competing with Jim Schwartz.
He’s also drawn interest from the Miami Dolphins for their offensive coordinator role. Until the Browns make their decision, the Giants will have to wait-and hope.
If Monken heads to Cleveland, Harbaugh may turn to another familiar face: Willie Taggart. Taggart served as assistant head coach and running backs coach in Baltimore and has a long-standing relationship with Harbaugh.
He’s also reportedly interviewing for the Giants’ OC job. While Taggart doesn’t have Monken’s résumé as a play-caller, the connection to Harbaugh could carry weight.
One name not mentioned in early reports but worth keeping an eye on is Mike Kafka. Kafka knows the Giants’ offensive personnel better than anyone, especially Jaxson Dart, and has been a key part of the team’s recent offensive development. However, he’s reportedly in the mix for the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator job, along with Brian Daboll.
On the defensive side, Harbaugh is expected to lean on his network once again. Anthony Weaver, the Texans’ defensive line coach and assistant head coach, is considered the leading candidate for the defensive coordinator role.
Weaver has worked under Harbaugh before and brings a physical, aggressive approach that would fit well with the Giants’ defensive identity. Another name in the mix is Daronte Jones, currently the defensive passing game coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.
While Jones hasn’t coached under Harbaugh, he’s highly respected around the league and could be a strong fit schematically.
The Giants are expected to move quickly. With the Shrine Bowl, Senior Bowl, and free agency just around the corner, the coaching staff needs to be in place soon. Scheme installs, player evaluations, and offseason planning all hinge on having the right coordinators in the building.
Harbaugh’s arrival signals a new era for the Giants-one built around leadership, delegation, and trust in his staff. Now the focus shifts to who will help him bring that vision to life.