The New York Giants are shifting their focus inward this week - and for good reason. With the Senior Bowl kicking off in Mobile, Ala., general manager Joe Schoen and newly appointed head coach John Harbaugh won’t be in attendance. Instead, they’re staying back in New York to handle what might be the most critical part of the Giants’ offseason: building Harbaugh’s coaching staff.
Harbaugh was officially introduced less than a week ago, and while the Senior Bowl is a staple on the pre-draft calendar - a key opportunity to evaluate top college prospects in pads - the Giants have made it clear that solidifying the foundation of their coaching staff takes precedence right now.
And they’re moving quickly.
Here’s how the staff is shaping up so far:
On the offensive side, Tim Kelly has been brought in to coach tight ends, while Willie Taggart will oversee the running backs room. Adam Schrack has been added in a quality control role for the running backs - a sign that the Giants are paying attention to the finer details of player development.
Defensively, Dennard Wilson takes over as coordinator, a hire that brings a strong reputation for developing defensive backs and getting the most out of his units. He’ll be joined by Charlie Bullen, who will coach the outside linebackers, and Dennis Johnson, who takes over the defensive line. Matt Pees comes in as assistant linebackers coach, and Brendan Clark has been added in a quality control role for the secondary.
On special teams, Chris Horton will lead the unit. That’s a notable pickup, considering Horton’s experience and the importance of special teams in flipping field position - something the Giants have struggled with at times.
Analytics is also getting attention, with Noah Riley joining the department. In today’s NFL, where data informs everything from fourth-down decisions to play-calling tendencies, this is a forward-thinking move.
One name still looming large is Todd Monken, who served as Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator in Baltimore over the past three seasons. Monken is currently in the running for the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching job, but if that opportunity doesn’t materialize, he’s widely expected to reunite with Harbaugh in New York. That would be a significant hire, bringing continuity and a proven offensive mind into the fold.
As for the Senior Bowl, it remains a major event on the scouting calendar. Practices run Tuesday through Thursday, with the game set for Saturday.
While Schoen and Harbaugh won’t be on-site, you can bet the Giants’ scouting department will have boots on the ground, gathering intel and evaluating talent. But for now, the top brass is staying focused on the task at hand - building a staff that can turn this franchise around.
Because before you can build a roster, you need the right coaches in place. And the Giants are making sure they get that part right.