The New York Giants landed the biggest fish of the 2026 NFL coaching cycle, earning the praise of the football world. Head coach John Harbaugh’s five-year, $100 million contract was made official during the Divisional Round, giving him wide-scale control of the organization and allowing him to usher in a new era of Giants football.
John Harbaugh Receives Presidential Praise
Harbaugh, one of the league’s most successful coaches and a Super Bowl champion, has a status that extends beyond the sport.
On Monday night, President Donald Trump made an appearance at the College Football Playoff national championship game. After the Indiana Hoosiers beat the Miami Hurricanes, 27-21, to win the first championship in program history, Trump was asked about other sports takes.
He was quick to support Harbaugh and his hometown Giants.
“But they got a great coach,” Trump said, via Fox News. “I like the coach. I like his brother. They came up to see me about three months ago. They came up to see me in the White House with their mother and father because the mother likes me, and the father likes me and I think they like me.”
John’s brother, Jim Harbaugh, has been an outspoken supporter of pro-life activism. The former Baltimore Ravens coach reflected on meeting the President earlier this season, comparing rooting for his commander-in-chief to supporting his quarterback.
After convincing the Mara and Tisch families to hand him $100 million, it’s clear he has at least one more billionaire in his corner.
“And he’s a great coach and he’s gonna do well with the Giants, just like his brother does so well,” Trump said. “They got something very special in their blood. And I’m happy for the Giants. They got a great coach.”
MORE: John Harbaugh Reveals Why the Opportunity To Coach Giants QB Jaxson Dart ‘Really Got Me Fired Up’
Harbaugh hopes to take quarterback Jaxson Dart to new heights in 2026, cultivating the same development that Jackson experienced in Baltimore. Dart ranked 18th by the PFSN NFL QB Impact Metric as a rookie, and he’ll be armed with a new offensive play-caller and a healthy Malik Nabers in his encore.
Perhaps more importantly, Harbaugh is an adult in the room. With a track record of success, he brings plenty of pedigree, playoff experience, and the ability to raise the floor for a team that has repeatedly come face-to-face with disaster.
Trump had previously taken to social media with his thoughts on who New York should hire. “The New York Football Giants should hire, without question, John Harbaugh – And John, a great guy, should TAKE THE JOB!!!” Trump posted.
With a new coaching staff, a fourth-place schedule, and a clean bill of health, the Giants have multiple reasons for optimism next season. Expect Trump to be among the New York faithful supporting Harbaugh in his inaugural season.
