A prediction many with knowledge of the New York Giants hoped would come true has after the Baltimore Ravens fired long-time head coach John Harbaugh. He’s now expected to “hurdle” one of the Ravens’ AFC North rivals to the top spot on the list of candidates to be the next coach of the Giants, who already “have interest in speaking with” the Super Bowl winner, according to the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz.
Harbaugh was dumped by the Ravens on Tuesday, January 6, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and The Insiders. The decision brought to an end 18 years of Harbaugh being in charge of the Ravens, who were a regular contender on his watch, although too many of the 63-year-old’s teams came up short in the playoffs.
Despite that, the Harbaugh “would hurdle” former Cleveland Browns boss Kevin Stefanski, according to Ian O’Connor of The Athletic. O’Connor had identified Stefanski as “the leader in the Giants clubhouse” as of January 5, but “the team has had internal conversations about John Harbaugh, as you would expect, in case he leaves the Ravens.”
Now that Harbaugh is free, the Giants are being urged to move quickly to secure his services.
John Harbaugh Fits Criteria for Giants
The Giants and returning general manager Joe Schoen know what they want from their next head coach. One of the key boxes that must be ticked is experienced working with and developing a young quarterback.
Getting Jaxson Dart to justify his status as a first-round pick in the NFL draft will be central to the Giants’ latest rebuild. Fortunately, Harbaugh boasts ample experience building around youthful signal-callers.
He was handed rookie Joe Flacco when he took over in 2008 and quickly helped the first-year pro lead the Ravens to the AFC Championship Game. Flacco won a Super Bowl four years later, but he was usurped by another first-round QB in 2018, one Lamar Jackson.
The latter has been named MFL MVP twice on Harbaugh’s watch. Harbaugh’s coaching staff helped refine Jackson from an electric runner, but raw passer, into an accomplished all-rounder at this level.
That’s just the transition the Giants need from dual-threat but erratic playmaker Dart. Harbaugh has the pedigree to make this happen, a pedigree also based upon “respect, credibility, and no-nonsense culture” that Giants author Gary Myers believes would make this a “Home run hire if they connect.”
The intangibles favor Harbaugh, but so does how he emphasizes points of the game the Giants have been without for too long. Points Stefanski also coaches well.
Kevin Stefanski Still a Leading Candidate
Stefanski “will interview” with Big Blue on Wednesday, per Garafolo, and it makes sense for the ex-Browns chief to still be in the mix. Like Harbaugh, Stefanski designs overtly physical teams underpinned by strong defense and a powerful running game.
Those same things were hallmarks of the Ravens during Harbaugh’s near-two decades in charge. Both coaches believe in size in the trenches and overloading the line of scrimmage on offense with multiple tight ends.
The Giants need a tougher approach on both sides of the ball. It’s likely why a top defensive mind is on the list of candidates expected to be interviewed.
Another defensive coordinator is also in the mix, ex-Giants assistant Lou Anarumo. The Giants asking the Indianapolis Colts for an interview was reported by Garafolo on the same day Harbaugh was fired.
Anarumo’s familiarity with the Giants “could see him as a preferred candidate for Schoen,” according to O’Connor’s colleague Dan Duggan.
It’s a valid point, but none of these three options can match Harbaugh’s track record. He has the profile to bring the instant credibility these lowly Giants desperately need.
John Harbaugh Tipped to ‘Hurdle’ Ravens Rival for Giants Job