Giants GM Reflects on New Era with Coach Harbaugh
INDIANAPOLIS — Joe Schoen is well aware of the effort it took to reach this point. He can remember those countless sleepless nights he endured. Yet, even now, he occasionally stops to appreciate what it all means. “There are definitely moments I catch myself thinking, ‘Wow, John Harbaugh is our head coach,'” Schoen shared at the NFL Scouting Combine. Harbaugh is a strong leader, and just hearing him speak and seeing his mindset is quite impressive.
Now, the focus shifts to transforming this exciting opportunity into actual success. Together, Harbaugh and Schoen face the task of reviving a team that has seen better days. Contrary to some rumors, Schoen’s position hasn’t been diminished. “I’m still the general manager, and my responsibilities haven’t changed. I’m leading the football operations, and we’ll keep collaborating, just like successful teams do,” he stated.
The recent appointment of Dawn Aponte as senior vice president of football operations sparked some curiosity about what it meant for Schoen, despite the fact that this role has been held by Kevin Abrams for decades. Aponte, who previously served as the NFL’s director of football administration since 2017, comes with experience from three NFL teams: the Dolphins, Browns, and Jets. In a notable shift for the Giants, Aponte, who oversees salary cap and contract negotiations, will report directly to Harbaugh.
Why is this new structure significant for Harbaugh? “It’s crucial we think about how we operate,” he said. Every decision revolves around the players, aiming for the best outcomes. It’s about creating an operational structure that suits our entire team. Joe and I, along with co-owners John and Chris Mara, have been heavily involved in these discussions about our approach and who is responsible for what. This is an ongoing evolution to ensure we remain effective.
Schoen, who has worked with Aponte before, described her as “an excellent person with a lot of relevant experience” and plans to leverage her expertise when necessary.
Harbaugh emphasized the need for unity between Schoen and Aponte, stating, “We can’t have too many layers and silos. It’s essential we collaborate.” He added that Aponte, Schoen, and himself will work together to guarantee all systems align.
Schoen plans to meet with agents of prospective free agents soon, aiming for a shared understanding regarding contractual terms.
While Schoen has navigated these scenarios in the past, this time it’s different; he’s never had a coach with Harbaugh’s resume at the helm. “Building a relationship involves gauging communication styles and workflow. It’s all about figuring out how we coordinate our interactions,” Schoen reflected. So far, it’s been a phenomenal connection.
The relationship is progressing. Schoen understands what insights Harbaugh brings from his time in Baltimore. “They executed excellent drafts and secured many wins. We don’t have all the answers yet, but I’m open to improving our processes,” he mentioned.
With Harbaugh’s 18 years of draft experience, Schoen believes that his new coach possesses a unique ability to evaluate talent. “From what we’ve seen, his instincts for identifying value in players are impressive,” he concluded.
