Giants making John Harbaugh their head coach boosts optimism as fans see a winner

Newfound optimism has been injected into the Giants fan base.

Fans of the franchise anxiously were awaiting updates Wednesday as John Harbaugh interviewed with Giants brass. They got the good news late Wednesday night (and for some, upon waking up Thursday morning) that the 63-year-old former Ravens coach reportedly agreed to be their next head coach.

The impending arrival of Harbaugh has brought hope to fans that desperately have craved it in recent years.

“We still have four playoff games this weekend, and everybody's talking about the Giants right now,” said Caleb Vasquez, 36, of Farmingdale. “The excitement is through the roof. I haven't felt like this, especially as a Giants fan, in a long time.”

Said Joe Cardio, 32, of Centereach: “To lock up a coach like that is something the Giants have needed since Tom Coughlin.”

Harbaugh comes to the Meadowlands with championship pedigree (winning Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens over the 49ers, then coached by his brother Jim Harbaugh) and a track record of consistent success (a 180-113 record in 18 seasons in Baltimore, including 15 seasons with at least a .500 record and six AFC North titles).

Three of the Giants’ previous four non-interim head coaches – Ben McAdoo, Joe Judge and Brian Daboll – were first-timers.

“I was ecstatic because we've gone through so many different offensive coordinators, special teams coordinators like Joe Judge, and it's finally nice to get somebody who has not only had head coaching experience, but has succeeded at it,” said Aaron Cotumaccio, 25, of Port Washington. “Harbaugh has proven to be a winner year over year. Although he only has one Super Bowl win, his teams are always competitive. He always has a great running game. Defense is always pretty sharp, and he knows how to win ballgames.”

Though the Giants went 4-13 this past season, Harbaugh will inherit a promising core that includes Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, Andrew Thomas, Abdul Carter, Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and others. How soon do fans expect them to compete under his tutelage?

“I don't want to say they'll be great right away, but I know there's potential there,” said Danielle Cummings, 39, a Brooklyn native who recently moved to Orlando. “So I think they'll all have to feel him out first and get used to the dynamics. So I don't know if they'll be fantastic or great right away, but I think we'll get there toward the end of next season.”

Vasquez could see the Giants doubling their win total from this past season – which he called “rock bottom” – in 2026, with hopes of making the playoffs in 2027. Cardio said “you can't expect too much” in Year 1 of Harbaugh, adding that he expects a playoff run in Year 2 or 3. Cotumaccio said the expectation is to be a playoff team next season, mentioning a 10-7 record with a wild-card spot, but they are still a “couple years away” from competing for a Super Bowl.

Regardless, each Giants fan agreed: they got the right man for the job.

Said Vasquez: “Someone like him, well-respected, Super Bowl champion, how can you not just want to have him locked in?”