John Harbaugh hasn’t been shy about shaking up the coaching staff for the New York Giants, but he knows the value of one key assistant, so much so, Harbs changed the young coach’s job title and increased his responsibilities to keep him around.
The rising star among the assistant ranks is Charlie Bullen, last season’s interim defensive coordinator, who met with great acclaim after replacing Shane Bowen. Bullen was widely expected to move on after Harbaugh became head coach and hired former Baltimore Ravens assistant Dennard Wilson as his new DC.
Other teams were interested in letting Bullen keep play-calling duties, only in a new city, but the Giants have engineered a mini coup to keep him. Bullen “has pulled out of remaining defensive coordinator searches and will add the title of run-game coordinator, sources say. Bullen gets a contract extension but is expected to once again be a hot DC candidate next year,” per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
The title of “run-game coordinator” is a little gaudy, but retaining Bullen’s services still represents a major boost for a new Giants regime. It provides some continuity for important players who improved in a more creative and aggressive scheme on Bullen’s watch late last season.
Charlie Bullen Decision a Coup for Giants
Bullen still being on the staff makes sense amid the rest of the turnover undertaken by Harbaugh. He’s given Wilson, who spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, an important voice with vital knowledge of every member of the Giants’ unit.
Most of Bullen’s expertise resides along the front seven, particularly at outside linebacker. He began last season as the position coach for arguably the strongest group on the depth chart, helping veteran Brian Burns enjoy a career year.
Bullen later also helped 2025 NFL draft third-overall pick Abdul Carter get back on track. Maintaining and even boosting their production demands Bullen still plays a key role, but his more pressing concern is fixing a longstanding and frustrating weakness against the run.
Harbaugh empowering a designated run-game coordinator is a good way to start the fix. It’s also one more way Harbs has added greater structure and specificity to the Giants’ staff.
John Harbaugh Has Already Made Big Changes
Even a cursory look at the new staff, provided by Big Blue Interactive, shows how much Harbaugh has changed things. The most notable change involves run and pass-specific coaches on both sides of the ball.
Bullen is paired with former Ravens defensive backs coach Donald D’Alesio, who assumes the role of “Defensive Pass Game Coordinator.” There’s a similar dynamic on offense, where Greg Roman will look after the ground game, while ex-Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan will concentrate on the pass attack, under the watchful eye of new play-caller Matt Nagy.
Harbaugh has ensured both sides of the ball will be handled with greater experience and more nuanced planning this year. The increased attention to details should help the Giants take better advantage of the talent on the roster, particularly on defense, where Bullen can help Wilson turn an underperforming bunch into a formidable unit.
John Harbaugh Changes Title to Keep Key Giants Assistant: Report