John Harbaugh sends powerful message to Giants fans as head coach

NFL coach John Harbaugh at the NFL Scouting Combine

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Matthew Couden

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

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While a deal took longer than some might have expected, John Harbaugh officially became the New York Giants' new head coach this weekend.

He becomes the successor to this past season's coach, Brian Daboll, who the team fired amid another disappointing season with a 2-8 record. As soon as the season ended, the team began its search for a new head coach.

Once the Baltimore Ravens fired Harbaugh, he became a top candidate for teams with vacancies and chose the Giants. Harbaugh, who won a Super Bowl during his 18 seasons coaching the Ravens, also joins a line of Super Bowl-winning coaches who coached the Giants, including Bill Parcells and Tom Coughlin.

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NFL coach John Harbaugh at the NFL Scouting Combine

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Ahead of an introductory press conference, Harbaugh spoke with the media regarding why he joined the Giants and his plans to rebuild a winning team. He delivered a strong message to Giants fans on what to expect from him as the new head coach.

"It's the New York Football Giants. I can't wait to get started. I know how great our fans are. I've seen them close up enough. We are going to build a team that's going to play a brand of football that you will be proud of," Harbaugh told The Athletic's Ian O'Connor.

Along with that, he set clear expectations for the team to return to the postseason, and very soon.

"I think the Giants roster is strong, and it's our job to make it stronger. We are going to compete for the playoffs and for championships. I expect and want to make the playoffs next year," he also said.

When asked why he chose the Giants, Harbaugh indicated that he grew up as the son of a football coach and that they loved the history of the game.

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"Why? Because it's the New York Football Giants. And I'm their head coach," Harbaugh told O'Connor.

Along with that, he also said he's spoken to Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart multiple times and was "impressed" with the young player. Harbaugh called him a "tough dude" with "the right mindset" that he's happy to coach in New York.

Many analysts, journalists, and others believe that Harbaugh is undoubtedly a winning move for the franchise. Along with Dart, their offense has several other talented young stars in wide receiver Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo, looking for someone to lead them to success.

They also hold the No. 5 pick in this year's NFL Draft, giving them the potential to add more talent to their roster.

Now that the deal for their head coach seems official, the next step will be a press conference for Harbaugh to address his new job further, how he plans to work with the team, and his goal of creating a playoff contender in his first season as coach. Things are certainly looking up in New York.