Building a winning NFL team isn’t just about the head coach or the star quarterback-it’s about the entire operation, from the front office to the assistant position coaches grinding behind the scenes. And when it comes to assembling a strong coaching staff, few understand the importance of that foundation better than John Harbaugh. Just days into his tenure as the New York Giants’ new head coach, Harbaugh is already making some bold moves-and one of the most intriguing developments is his interest in keeping Charlie Bullen around.
According to a report from SNY’s Connor Hughes, Harbaugh has begun the process of reshaping his coaching staff, informing the majority of the Giants’ defensive assistants that their time with the team has come to an end. Even special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial wasn’t spared in the early wave of changes.
But not everyone was handed a pink slip. Bullen, who stepped in as interim defensive coordinator late in the season, was invited to meet with Harbaugh personally-and that’s a strong signal that the 41-year-old might be part of the new regime.
And honestly, it makes a lot of sense.
Bullen took over play-calling duties in Week 13 after interim head coach Mike Kafka parted ways with Shane Bowen following a rough Week 12 showing against the Detroit Lions. It was a tough spot to step into-midseason, with a defense that had struggled to find its identity-but Bullen didn’t flinch. Instead, he brought a fresh approach, one that emphasized putting players in positions to succeed rather than forcing them into a rigid scheme.
The results were immediate. In the five games Bullen led the defense, the Giants gave up 30 or more points just once-and that was against a Patriots team that’s now headed to the AFC Championship Game.
That’s not nothing. More importantly, the defense looked sharper, faster, and more confident.
Rookie linebacker Abdul Carter came alive during that stretch, flashing the kind of sideline-to-sideline explosiveness that made him a Day 1 starter. Brian Burns, meanwhile, had arguably the best season of his career, thriving under Bullen’s guidance.
Both players have publicly backed Bullen, voicing their support for him to either retain the defensive coordinator role or, at the very least, stay on staff. That kind of locker room endorsement doesn’t come easily, and it speaks volumes about the respect Bullen commands from his players.
Now, whether Harbaugh sees Bullen as a long-term DC candidate remains to be seen. The Giants are expected to cast a wide net in their search for a new defensive coordinator, and Bullen’s name has reportedly started popping up on other teams’ radars as well. But if he doesn’t land a DC gig elsewhere, keeping him in East Rutherford as the outside linebackers coach would be a smart move.
Harbaugh is known for valuing continuity and player development-two things Bullen clearly brings to the table. And while the head coach is still in the early stages of building out his staff, this could be a foundational hire.
You need guys who can connect with players, adjust on the fly, and elevate the talent around them. Bullen has shown he can do all of that.
It’s going to take time for Harbaugh to mold the Giants into a consistent contender, but retaining a rising coaching talent like Charlie Bullen? That’s the kind of early decision that can pay dividends down the line.