John Harbaugh and the New York Giants are working on an agreement to make him the team’s head coach, two people with knowledge of the decision said early Thursday morning.
At a Glance
- Harbaugh interviewed for hours at the Giants’ East Rutherford facility on Wednesday
- Negotiations are ongoing but expected to reach completion
- The former Ravens coach was fired after Baltimore missed the playoffs on a last-second field goal
- Giants general manager Joe Schoen can satisfy Rooney Rule requirements while still hiring before other teams
The people spoke to Daniel J. Whitman on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been finalized. Negotiations are ongoing, but Harbaugh is expected to end up in New York.
The Interview
Harbaugh interviewed in person with the Giants on Wednesday, spending hours at the team facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Super Bowl-winning former coach of the Baltimore Ravens was believed to be New York’s top candidate in the search for Brian Daboll’s full-time successor.
Fired by the Baltimore Ravens after missing the playoffs on a missed field goal attempt at the buzzer in the season finale, Harbaugh is on track to pick the Giants over other possible landing spots, including Tennessee and Atlanta.
Track Record
The Ravens made the playoffs 12 times during 18 seasons with Harbaugh in charge and won the Super Bowl in the 2012 season, a year after the Giants’ most recent championship.
General manager Joe Schoen, who’s back for a fifth season running the football operations department, said he would cast a wide net in the coaching search. Interviewing Raheem Morris and Antonio Pierce satisfied the NFL’s Rooney Rule requirements for minority or female candidates, and Harbaugh’s visit to northern New Jersey paved the way to make a hire before any of the more than half-dozen teams with a vacancy.
Key Takeaways
- Harbaugh has plenty of options if the sides can’t reach an agreement but the goal is to “reach the finish line”
- The Giants can finalize their coaching search ahead of competitors
- Harbaugh’s playoff pedigree-12 postseason appearances-makes him an attractive hire
