John Harbaugh is not playing around, and as one of the most powerful people in the New York Giants organization, the new head coach is already making some huge internal changes. Including moving on from staff who have been with the franchise for decades.
The best thing that has happened to the NY Giants over the last few years is the Baltimore Ravens deciding to fire Harbaugh after 18 memorable seasons with the AFC franchise. Instead of selecting a coach from a solid group of candidates on the market to replace Brian Daboll, they had the opportunity to hire the perfect person to get the team back to consistent relevance.
That is why the team’s brass was so aggressive about persuading the 63-year-old to bring his talents to New York. While they were able to win the Harbaugh sweepstakes, it wasn’t easy. The franchise was willing to give the coach whatever he wanted when it came to compensation. However, he required key structural changes to the organization to match the situation he had in Baltimore.
It means that instead of working under general manager Joe Schoen, Harbaugh answers directly to the NY Giants ownership and works alongside Schoen. It gives him the sort of influence and power never before seen in the legendary franchise. Well, Harbaugh has started to swing that weight around as he looks to turn a badly struggling franchise around.
John Harbaugh ousts NY Giants trainer with team since 1980
On Wednesday night, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Kevin Abrams is out as Senior Vice President of Football Operations and Strategy. He worked under different regimes during a nearly 30-year career with the NY Giants. He “was on the negotiating end of lots of deals that resulted in two Super Bowl titles [and was a] highly regarded and respected” member of the organization, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
ESPN NY Giants reporter Jordan Raanan revealed on Thursday that Ronnie Barnes will no longer continue on as the team’s Head Athletic Director, and will be given a different role in the organization. It ends a run in that role that began all the way back in 1980.
Yet, that is not where the rumored changes end. Harbaugh is also busy building his coaching staff for 2026. According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, “John Harbaugh informed the vast majority of the Giants defensive coaches to clean out their offices over the weekend.”
However, one defensive coach who could return is interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen. Hughes reports that he has many supporters on the roster, including Brian Burns and Abdul Carter.
Harbaugh is expected to bring in a lot of his staff from the Ravens. Along with rumors that he is eyeing Todd Monken to be the NY Giants’ next offensive coordinator, the team has “requested to interview Ravens assistant head coach/RBs coach Willie Taggart” for the job incase they can’t secure Monken’s services.
