Giants officially hire John Harbaugh as next head coach, agree to a reported 5-year deal
- - Giants officially hire John Harbaugh as next head coach, agree to a reported 5-year deal
Sean Leahy and Jack Baer January 17, 2026 at 5:49 PM
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The New York Giants are getting the guy they've been pushing for since he became available: John Harbaugh.
The Giants and Harbaugh finalized their deal Saturday, and the team officially announced the hiring.
"We are proud to name John Harbaugh as the next head coach of the New York Giants," team president John Mara said in a statement. "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," he added.
The Harbaugh era starts now pic.twitter.com/Ecak10hpS0
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 17, 2026
The agreement is expected to be five years in length and with a total value of $100 million — one of the largest contracts in the league — according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.
“This is the New York Giants,” Harbaugh said, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. “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.”
Harbaugh told The Athletic's Ian O'Connor that he'll report directly to Giants owner John Mara, rather than general manager Joe Schoen.
Harbaugh becomes the Giants' fifth head coach (seven counting interims) since Tom Coughlin resigned in January 2016. Former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is reportedly expected to join Harbaugh on his staff.
Welcome to Big Blue, Coach Harbaugh pic.twitter.com/Uoa0ds0rdp
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 17, 2026
The Giants' interest in Harbaugh was obvious from the moment he became available. The team was immediately reported to be targeting the coach after he was let go by the Ravens, and the interest was mutual, with Harbaugh reportedly watching film of Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (as well as Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward).
That dance culminated in an odd sequence of events Wednesday before Harbaugh's hire. The Giants got the first interview with the coach, who was also planning to meet with the Titans and Atlanta Falcons. Much was made about the Giants "not letting him out of the building," but he did just that and went home to Baltimore.
Normally, a coach resisting a "massive push," as the Giants' pitch was described by one reporter, would mean a deal isn't imminent, but Harbaugh was apparently still on the phone and ready to start talking numbers about his first Giants contract.
Harbaugh was the top name on the coaching market
Harbaugh coached the Ravens for 18 seasons before being fired this cycle after closing out a disappointing 8-9 season. He was 180-113 with the Ravens in the regular season and led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2013.
While it was only the sixth time he missed the playoffs with the Ravens, Harbaugh has struggled to advance in the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl. The last time the Ravens won multiple playoff games in a season was 2012-13. Since 2014, Harbaugh's playoff record is 3-6.
Now that he's with the Giants, it will be a long time before Harbaugh has a reunion with the Ravens, barring a Super Bowl matchup. The two teams aren't scheduled to play in the regular season until 2028.
Harbaugh got his start with the Philadelphia Eagles under Ray Rhodes and Andy Reid as a special teams and defensive backs coach in the early 2000s.
Harbaugh is the Giants' prize for a tough year
The Giants finished 4-13 in 2025 and missed the playoffs for the eighth time in nine seasons. After dropping their opening three games and starting 2-8, the Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was named interim head coach for the remainder of the regular season.
It was another season to forget for the Giants. Star wide receiver Malik Nabers was lost for the season after tearing his ACL in Week 4; rookie running back Cam Skattebo, who quickly became a fan favorite, suffered a dislocated ankle in Week 8 that required season-ending surgery; and the first-year quarterback Dart required five concussion evaluations and missed time after being diagnosed with one as his aggressive running style came under question.
There were signs of improvement, however, and if the roster can remain healthy, Harbaugh could help guide the Giants to a more successful 2026 season. The Giants saw 38.7 more total yards per game offensively, with increases in average passing and rushing yards per game, as well as points scored. There were some down years on the defensive side, but Brian Burns finished second in the NFL with a career-high 16.5 sacks.
Help could be on its way come April's NFL Draft as the Giants will be picking fifth overall, the fourth time in the past five seasons that they will have a top-six selection.
Source: “AOL Sports”
