John Harbaugh agreed to become the 21st head coach in New York Giants history, the team announced on Saturday.
It’s a five-year deal, Harbaugh told ESPN.
“This is the New York Giants,” Harbaugh said to ESPN. “I’m proud and honored to be the head coach of this historic franchise, and especially excited to work with the Mara and Tisch families. But most of all, I can’t wait to get started with the great players on this football team to see what we can accomplish together.”
The 63-year-old head coach was only out of work eight days after the Baltimore Ravens fired him over the phone last week, ending their 18-year partnership after missing the playoffs.
Harbaugh was at the team facility Wednesday for his only in-person interview after spending time with personnel executive Chris Mara on Sunday. Mara, the son of Giants co-chairman John Mara, had lunch and what he said was an informal meeting at Harbaugh’s home.
“We are proud to name John Harbaugh as the next head coach of the New York Giants,” John Mara said in a statement. “(General Manager) Joe Schoen presented us an outstanding group of candidates, which allowed us to be deliberate and confident in this decision. Through numerous conversations, John consistently stood out for his conviction and vision for leading a winning organization, and we welcome him and his family to the Giants.”
ESPN reported that Harbaugh did plenty of homework on the franchise to the extent of receiving assurances from Brian Daboll that he would be working with a quality organization. Daboll was fired in November.
After leading the Ravens to the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, Harbaugh and Baltimore went 8-9 in 2025. The Ravens missed a last-second field-goal attempt in the season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a kick that would have sent them to the playoffs had it been made. But owner Steve Bisciotti said this week that even if the field goal had gone through, Harbaugh might have only stayed with the team for another week.
Harbaugh amassed a 180-113 regular-season mark as Baltimore’s coach, plus a 13-11 playoff record. He guided the Ravens to the Super Bowl championship after the 2012 season, beating the San Francisco 49ers (coached by his brother Jim) for the title.
–Field Level Media
