Jan. 20 (UPI) — John Harbaugh is excited to coach quarterback Jaxson Dart and aims to lead the New York Giants to Kansas City Chiefs-like success, he said Tuesday.
Harbaugh made the comments at his introductory news conference at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants hired the former Baltimore Ravens coach, who was fired Jan. 6, on Saturday.
“Our focus is simple,” Harbaugh said. “It starts with building a team that is physical and tough, that’s capable of overwhelming their opponent from beginning to end, especially at the end and understands how to finish, that is smart and discipline and plays the game the way it should be played and that everybody watching it, including those playing it, will be proud of.”
Harbaugh led the Ravens to a 180-113 record over 18 seasons, including an 8-9 mark in 2025. His Ravens made the playoffs in 12 of his 18 seasons, including their 2012-13 Super Bowl title-winning run.
He thanked the Ravens, including players and coaches, during Tuesday’s news conference. Harbaugh also said he did not consider taking time off after his split with the AFC North franchise.
He was targeted by several teams, but called the Giants vacancy the “obvious” opportunity that he wanted from the beginning. Harbaugh said he liked the Giants’ roster, including Dart, and praised their physicality, toughness and talent.
“The quarterback is kind of important,” Harbaugh said. “That’s kind of a big deal. I’m excited about Jaxson Dart. I’ve seen your backup quarterback too, Jameis Winston. … It starts with the quarterback. You build your team around your quarterback. You build your team around your players and what they do well.
“I like the way he plays. I like his talent, skillset and all the things he’s accomplished. But, more than that, I like who he is and what he’s about. To me, he is about football.”
Dart, the No. 25 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, completed 63.7% of his passes for 2,272 yards, 15 scores and five interceptions over his first 14 appearances. He also ran for 487 yards and nine scores, but dealt with injuries throughout his rookie season.
Harbaugh also said he spoke to Chiefs coach Andy Reid about his move to the Giants. Reid experienced a similar split when the Philadelphia Eagles fired him after 14 seasons. He went on to lead the Chiefs to a 149-64 record over the next 13 years, including three Super Bowl titles.
“We’ll sign up for that deal right now,” Harbaugh said, referencing the Chiefs’ success. “What he did in Kansas City? Let’s do that.”
Harbaugh plans to build a winning culture with the Giants on Day 1, but admitted it’s “impossible to say” how long the process could take. The Giants, who fired Brian Daboll in November, went 20-40-1 under their former coach.
They’ve logged just one winning season since 2016 and two above .500 campaigns over the last 13 years. The Giants also made the playoffs just twice since their 2011-12 Super Bowl winning campaign.
Daboll was among eight coaches to lead the Giants since 2008, Harbaugh’s first season with the Ravens. The Giants won 122 games from 2008 through 2025, but 67 of those wins were under two-time Super Bowl winning coach Tom Coughlin.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.