John Harbaugh is all but confirmed to become the new head coach of the New York Giants. Insiders broke the news late Wednesday and said only a few details remained before the deal was signed. Two days later, there’s still no deal completed.
Why Has John Harbaugh Still Not Signed With the New York Giants?
Harbaugh is the most coveted coach of the current cycle, and his hiring is a significant move by the New York Giants. But his resumè allows him to mold the franchise to his will, including picking his own personnel. And this could lead to changes within the franchise.
According to insider Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, the biggest hangup for the deal is Harbaugh’s desire to have complete control over personnel. As a result, this could lead to the firing of general manager Joe Schoen or to a reduction in his power.
“There were rumblings on Friday that GM Joe Schoen’s role in this new dynamic could be one of the factors creating a hangup. Harbaugh has more leverage right now than he has ever had before, and than he ever will have again. There is no reason for Harbaugh to accept this job without decision-making power in personnel,” per Leonard.
Since Tom Coughlin left the franchise, the Giants have had many failed head coaches. Ben McAdoo, Pat Shurmur, Joe Judge, and Brian Daboll all tried to steady the ship but failed. McAddo and Daboll were the only ones who made the playoffs since the 2015 season, and Daboll won a game in the 2022 Wild Card Round.
One thing the Giants should take note of is how the Jacksonville Jaguars handled the same dilemma a season ago. Liam Coen backed off from the job when it became clear that owner Shad Khan wanted to keep general manager Treen Baalke in the front office. The league does not highly regard Baalke.
Noting that Baalke would impede many interested coaches, he fired the general manager. Coen instantly returned to the fold and later became the Jaguars’ head coach. He led the franchise to a 13-4 record in his first season, and Jacksonville won the AFC South.
Harbaugh is an excellent hire for the franchise. He brings stability, experience, and leadership to a franchise that badly needs it. Even though the Giants had a 4-13 record in 2025, they have talented players on the roster who could help the ship turn quickly. If the price to hire him is to get rid of Schoen, this should be an easy decision.
