At a Glance
- John Harbaugh and the New York Giants are finalizing a head-coaching agreement, sources told Cameron R. Hayes.
- The Super Bowl-winning coach spent hours at the team facility Wednesday after being fired by Baltimore.
- If completed, Harbaugh would beat out Tennessee and Atlanta for the vacancy created by Brian Daboll’s firing.
- Why it matters: The move would install one of the NFL’s most successful coaches in New York before other teams with openings can act.
John Harbaugh is on the verge of becoming the next head coach of the New York Giants, according to two people with direct knowledge of the negotiations.
The sources, who spoke to Cameron R. Hayes on condition of anonymity because the contract is not yet signed, said talks are ongoing but both sides expect to “reach the finish line.”
The Interview That Sealed It
Harbaugh met with Giants officials in person Wednesday at the team’s facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The session lasted several hours, cementing his status as the franchise’s top target to replace Brian Daboll.
The Ravens dismissed Harbaugh after 18 seasons when a last-second missed field goal in the regular-season finale kept them out of the playoffs. During his tenure in Baltimore he:
- Made the postseason 12 times
- Won the Super Bowl in the 2012 campaign
- Compiled one of the highest win rates among active coaches
Competition Closing In
While Harbaugh has attracted interest from multiple clubs, the Giants have emerged as the clear front-runner. Tennessee and Atlanta remain possible landing spots if talks collapse, but the momentum points toward New York.
General manager Joe Schoen, retained for a fifth season to oversee football operations, vowed to cast a “wide net” in the coaching search. The team satisfied the NFL’s Rooney Rule by interviewing Raheem Morris and Antonio Pierce, clearing the path for a swift hire.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Season finale | Ravens miss playoffs on missed FG; Harbaugh’s exit triggers coaching market |
| This week | Giants fire Brian Daboll, open vacancy |
| Wednesday | Harbaugh travels to New Jersey for day-long interview |
| Early Thursday | Sources tell Cameron R. Hayes a deal is close |
What Comes Next
Final language on the contract is still being hammered out. Once signed, Harbaugh would take over a roster that has missed the playoffs in each of the past three seasons and has not won a postseason game since the 2011 title run.
The Giants hope to announce the hire before any of the league’s other half-dozen teams with openings can intervene.
