Though John Harbaugh’s hiring hasn’t been officially confirmed as of Friday night, the Giants are optimistic. They believe Harbaugh will fulfill their football aspirations, stepping in as the 24th head coach in the team’s history.
The agreement between the Giants and Harbaugh was reached around Wednesday evening, with a contract set for five years at $100 million. While financial aspects aren’t an issue, some details in the contract are a bit convoluted and need clarification before finalization.
“It’s going to take time,” noted a source familiar with the negotiations to the Post Thursday night.
The next day, discussions kept rolling as lawyers prepared necessary documents. An official mentioned, “It’s a good path forward,” stressing that there’s no rush for a specific deadline.
Another official echoed that sentiment, saying, “It’s getting closer.”
Just to clarify, general manager Joe Schoen won’t be the one negotiating contracts with head coaches; that responsibility lies with owners John Mara and Steve Tisch.
Once everything is settled, the Giants won’t be making dramatic changes regarding their operations. This isn’t due to any significant shifts in power dynamics, but rather the head coach’s influence on the overall environment.
Recent history shows that coaches like Ben McAdoo, Joe Judge, and Brian Daboll all started out as coordinators promoted to their first head coaching roles. In contrast, Pat Shurmur had previous head coaching experience with the Browns before joining in 2018. Changes in leadership often saw new faces taking over from those like Jerry Reese and Dave Gettleman.
Harbaugh and Schoen will be colliding paths for the first time in their extensive NFL careers. The nuances of their working relationship may heavily dictate the Giants’ future success. It’s clear Schoen has been a key asset, actively participating in the collaborative approach that led to Harbaugh’s impending hiring. He’s worked alongside co-owners Mara and Tisch, plus senior HR consultant Chris Mara, in this joint effort.
After Harbaugh settles in, his closest daily interactions will likely be with Schoen. The Giants brought Schoen on board in 2022, endorsing Daboll for the head coaching role, and they’ve maintained a friendship stemming from their Buffalo days. Even after Daboll’s dismissal 10 games into the 2025 season, their bond has remained strong.
Both in their 40s, Shane and Daboll’s families are also close, contrasting the more distant relationships seen between earlier Giants front office pairs. Take George Young and Bill Parcells, for example: their friendship wasn’t the backbone of their successful roster-building. Accorsi and Coughlin had high regard for one another, but their interactions were limited.
At 63, Harbaugh’s past with Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore led to a Super Bowl win in 2012, showcasing a classic dynamic of coach and executive collaboration. Harbaugh had influence, yet Newsome ultimately made the final calls.
After Newsome, Eric DeCosta took over as GM in 2019, having developed a strong connection with Harbaugh over 11 years. Upon DeCosta’s elevation, he stated he only wanted to work with Harbaugh.
This last season marked the sixth time in 18 years Harbaugh missed the postseason, leading to his firing on January 6 after a disappointing 8-9 record. Reports indicated DeCosta was visibly upset while conveying the news of Harbaugh’s dismissal to Ravens staff.
Strong alliances take time to nurture. While Schoen played a role in convincing Harbaugh, he’s just one piece of the puzzle. The work to unify their talents and transform the Giants into winners begins now.
