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NFL Team Hires New Head Coach The President Demanded

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John Harbaugh
Photo Credit: Maryland National Guard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The New York Giants are closing in on a deal to make longtime Ravens coach John Harbaugh the 23rd head coach in franchise history, after President Trump’s enthusiastic encouragement.

Multiple reports indicated the deal was being finalized after a rapid-fire recruitment that unfolded just days after Harbaugh’s departure from Baltimore, ending an 18-year run that included a Super Bowl title and sustained playoff success.

Harbaugh’s exit came on the heels of a crushing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, when rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a field goal as time expired, sealing an 8-9 finish and closing the book on his Ravens tenure.

Despite expectations that Harbaugh would weigh several openings around the league, momentum quickly swung toward New York, where the Giants aggressively moved to secure one of the most established coaches on the market.

The urgency stemmed from a disastrous 4-13 season that led to Brian Daboll’s dismissal just 10 weeks into the year, a sharp fall for a coach once celebrated as the league’s top newcomer.

Daboll finished his tenure with a 20-40-1 record, a far cry from his Coach of the Year debut when the Giants reached the playoffs at 9-7-1 before steadily regressing.

Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka took over on an interim basis but managed only a 2-5 mark, reinforcing the sense that the franchise needed a decisive, long-term solution.

The Giants’ struggles have been prolonged, with the team owning the second-worst record in the NFL over the past decade at 55-109-1, ahead of only the New York Jets.

Against that backdrop, the courtship of Harbaugh was swift and lavish, underscoring how badly ownership wanted to change direction.

Harbaugh was flown into the area on the private jet of part-owner Steve Tisch, a trip that drew intense flight-tracking scrutiny from fans and media as speculation surged.

Once on the ground, Harbaugh met with Tisch, majority owner John Mara, and general manager Joe Schoen, signaling that all levels of leadership were aligned on the hire.

The visit included dinner at a local restaurant and a full tour of the Giants’ practice facility in East Rutherford, where Harbaugh reportedly crossed paths with quarterback prospect Dart.

According to reports, Harbaugh privately remarked that there was “a lot to be excited about” regarding the Ole Miss product, fueling optimism about the roster’s direction.

Harbaugh’s departure flight from the Tri-State Area around 7:30 p.m. appeared later than scheduled, adding to the belief that talks had progressed deeper than initially planned.

His reported five-year contract is expected to be worth $20 million a year for a total of $100 million.

The Giants’ pursuit also carried high-profile political backing, with President Donald Trump openly urging the franchise to land Harbaugh.

“The New York Football Giants should hire, without question, John Harbaugh – And John, a great guy, should TAKE THE JOB!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump doubled down days later, calling on teams across the league to act quickly.

“HIRE JOHN HARBAUGH, FAST. HE, AND HIS BROTHER, ARE TOTAL WINNERS!!!” he wrote.

Harbaugh’s résumé in Baltimore includes six AFC North titles, four trips to the AFC Championship Game, and a Super Bowl victory in 2013.

Last summer, Harbaugh and several family members, including his brother Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers, visited the White House, an experience Harbaugh later described as “amazing.”

Trump has remained vocal on NFL matters, from criticizing the league’s kickoff rule to attending a regular season game in Washington, D.C., marking a rare presidential appearance.

As Harbaugh’s move to New York gained steam, upheaval struck elsewhere in the AFC North.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stepped down hours after Pittsburgh’s Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, ending a long tenure defined by consistency but mounting frustration.

Tomlin never posted a losing season and won eight division titles, including a Super Bowl in his second year, yet he also endured a nine-year playoff win drought.

Fans grew restless late last season as Pittsburgh again finished 10-7 only to exit early, despite navigating injuries and roster challenges.

Former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger publicly floated the idea of change, remarking, “Maybe it’s a clean-house time. Maybe it’s time.”

“Maybe a fresh start for him is what’s best. Whether that’s in the pros, maybe go be Penn State’s head coach. You know what he would do in Penn State? He would probably go win national championships, because he’s a great recruiter,” Roethlisberger added.

Tomlin confirmed his decision in a statement that opened with, “After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

He thanked ownership, players, and fans, calling his time in Pittsburgh an honor and pledging that his respect for the franchise would never fade.

Speculation quickly followed about Tomlin’s future, including the possibility of coaching a division rival.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti learned of Tomlin’s resignation live during a news conference and reacted with surprise and humor.

“Holy s—, Mike, wouldn’t that be awesome? Only if John takes the Pittsburgh job,” Bisciotti joked before adding, “I love Mike. I’ve admired Mike for 18 years.”

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