John Harbaugh Nearing Deal to Coach New York Giants/ Newslooks/ Washington/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ John Harbaugh is close to becoming the New York Giants’ next head coach. The former Ravens leader met with Giants brass Wednesday and won’t interview elsewhere. A deal is expected soon, barring any last-minute setbacks.
John Harbaugh to Giants Quick Looks
- John Harbaugh is in advanced talks with the Giants
- Deal expected soon; Harbaugh canceled Titans interview
- Former Ravens coach met in person with Giants Wednesday
- Harbaugh considered the top candidate to replace Brian Daboll
- Fired after Ravens missed playoffs in season finale
- Harbaugh led Ravens to 12 playoff appearances and 1 Super Bowl win
- Giants haven’t had a winning coach since Tom Coughlin
- General Manager Joe Schoen aimed for a broad search
- Rooney Rule interviews included Raheem Morris, Antonio Pierce
- Giants move quickly to secure top choice before competition
Deep Look: John Harbaugh Nearing Deal to Coach New York Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants are on the verge of hiring John Harbaugh as their next head coach, according to three people familiar with the negotiations. The deal isn’t finalized, but sources say both sides are working to reach an agreement, with Harbaugh now fully focused on closing the deal with New York.
Harbaugh had been expected to meet with the Tennessee Titans as part of the interview process, but he canceled that engagement, a strong signal that his attention is now solely on finalizing a contract with the Giants. One source told The Associated Press that the goal is to “reach the finish line with the Giants.”
Though no deal has been officially announced, one insider noted that “barring any setbacks,” the former Baltimore Ravens coach will become the 22nd head coach in Giants history.
Harbaugh Was Giants’ Top Target
Harbaugh, who led the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII victory in the 2012 season, interviewed with the Giants on Wednesday during an in-person meeting at the team’s facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The meeting reportedly lasted hours and solidified Harbaugh’s status as the franchise’s top choice to succeed Brian Daboll, who was dismissed after a disappointing 2025 season.
Though Harbaugh had also drawn interest from other NFL franchises, including the Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Falcons, it now appears he will land in New York, where he’ll take over a struggling team seeking long-term leadership.
Harbaugh was fired by Baltimore following a dramatic season-ending loss, where the Ravens missed the playoffs after a last-second missed field goal. Despite that ending, his 18-season run in Baltimore was marked by consistent success: 12 playoff appearances, one Super Bowl title, and a reputation for building physical, well-coached teams.
Giants Betting on Experience
The move to hire Harbaugh marks a major step for a Giants organization desperate for stability. Since Tom Coughlin’s departure in 2015, the team has cycled through seven head coaches, who have collectively compiled a 45-105-1 record, a dismal .300 winning percentage that has left fans longing for a return to relevance.
Harbaugh brings a winning pedigree and leadership experience to a franchise that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2022 and hasn’t won a playoff game since their last Super Bowl run in 2011.
Schoen’s Search Spanned Wide — But Focused Quickly
General Manager Joe Schoen, who remains in charge of football operations for a fifth season, had pledged to cast a wide net in the coaching search. As part of that process, the Giants interviewed Raheem Morris and Antonio Pierce, satisfying the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview at least one minority or female candidate for head coach and senior front office positions.
Yet Harbaugh remained the top contender throughout. The Giants reportedly prioritized his combination of playoff experience, culture-building skills, and ability to navigate a large-market team under pressure.
With over half a dozen teams still searching for new head coaches, the Giants have moved quickly to secure their choice before Harbaugh could entertain further suitors.
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