Who might John Harbaugh bring in to create a winning Giants staff?

The John Harbaugh era began Saturday night when his contract was finalized, but in essence, it will start this week when he is welcomed as the Giants’ head coach and leader.

The team will hold a news conference to introduce Harbaugh at noon Tuesday. There will be a high level of pomp and circumstance, given Harbaugh’s resume and the hope that he can sprinkle his success on a team that has been starved for it.

“John is a proven winner whose teams are disciplined, resilient and prepared,” Giants chairman and executive vice president Steve Tisch said in a statement. “His passion for the game, his ability to connect with players and his experience leading at the highest level made him an outstanding fit for us, and we’re excited to move forward together.”

Harbaugh’s first order of business won’t just be selling his vision. It will be picking a staff to help carry out that vision as he tries to bring the Giants back from a decade of disappointment.

Unlike a first-time coach, Harbaugh has assistants he has worked with for some time or seen become coaches elsewhere. He also could interview and hire members of the Giants’ current staff.

His most important hires are his coordinators. He’s worked with Todd Monken as his offensive coordinator for the last three seasons and Zach Orr as his defensive coordinator for the last two seasons.

Just like the head-coaching search, the Giants must abide by the Rooney Rule and interview two non-white or female candidates for all coordinator positions.

Monken has been considered the favorite to join Harbaugh, according to multiple reports, but he could weigh other options. ESPN reported that Monken has a second interview with the Browns for their open head-coaching job on Tuesday.

Under Monken, the Ravens had the NFL’s No. 1 offense in 2024 and were sixth in 2023. They also finished in the top two in rushing offense all three seasons.

Monken had high praise for Harbaugh recently on “The Ryan Ripken Show.”

“He’s the same every day,” Monken said on the podcast. “His message and his consistency and his ability to confront anything that gets in the way of winning football . . . is unique.”

If Monken isn’t available, Harbaugh could keep continuity by hiring Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin. Martin has worked with Harbaugh since 2021, first as receivers coach and then quarterbacks coach the last three seasons.

Martin and Monken helped develop Lamar Jackson. Martin hasn’t been an offensive coordinator since 2018, his third season at USC, but that experience with Jackson could be another guide for helping Jaxson Dart.

A third option?  Greg Roman, who was fired by the Chargers this month. As Ravens offensive coordinator from 2019-22, he designed the run-heavy offense with which the team thrived under Jackson. It could help with Dart and the Giants’ running game, which was ranked fifth last season.

As for defense? Harbaugh could bring back Orr, but the Ravens were 24th in total defense and 30th in passing defense in 2025. In 2024, they were 10th in total defense and first in rushing defense but were 31st against the pass.

That last stat could hurt Orr’s chances. The Giants’ secondary is a sore spot. Harbaugh’s background includes coaching defensive backs, and he can’t afford to let that group flounder.

Another potential candidate on defense? Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. He worked with Harbaugh from 2021-23 as the Ravens’ defensive line coach and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2022.

Weaver also is on the interview circuit. NFL Network reported that he’s having his second interviews this week for the Steelers’ and Ravens’ head-coaching jobs.

Harbaugh could go with a name familiar to Giants fans. Before Wink Martindale was the Giants’ defensive coordinator from 2022-23, he spent 10 seasons with Harbaugh, including defensive coordinator from 2018-21.

Chuck Pagano was on Harbaugh’s staff this season as a senior secondary coach. Before becoming the Colts’ head coach from 2012-17, he was Harbaugh’s secondary coach from 2008-10 and defensive coordinator in 2011.

Harbaugh’s introduction Tuesday will be a great welcome party, but then work will begin to find the staff that will help him turn those good vibes into wins next season.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.