John Harbaugh has already begun reshaping the New York Giants organization as he made two coaching hires on Sunday. It was reported by ESPN’s Dan Graziano that the Giants are hiring former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, and Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported that the team will hire Ravens special teams coach Chris Horton.
Both coaches have ties to Harbaugh, as Horton served under him from 2014-2018 as Baltimore’s assistant special teams coach, then served as the coordinator from 2019-2025. Wilson was the Ravens defensive backs coach in 2023, before serving as the Titans defensive coordinator the last two seasons.
The Wilson hire comes on the heels of Tennessee having the 21st-ranked defense in 2025. But they were second in total defense in 2024, and the belief around the league is that the defense’s decline this year was due to personnel and not Wilson’s scheme.
Now the 43-year coordinator has the task of turning around a Giants defense that finished 28th this year. Big Blue has a plethora of talent in the front seven, which includes All-Pro Brian Burns, along with Dexter Lawrence and Abdul Carter. Harbaugh and New York’s brass are hopeful Wilson can press the right buttons to maximize the unit’s potential.
Horton will take over a special teams unit that averaged 27.7 yards per kickoff return, which was fifth best in the league. They also averaged 8.7 yards per punt return, which was 22nd in the league. His input will be needed on whether or not the team will bring back free agent kick returner Gunner Olszewski.
It was also reported by Zenitz that the team is expected to hire Ravens assistant linebackers coach Matt Pees, along with running backs quality control coach Adam Schrack, and defensive backs quality control coach Brendan Clark.
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