John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen sure look like two men ready to get to work turning around the Giants.
There were points during the Giants’ search for a new head coach when speculation rose that someone with Harbaugh’s cachet could request to work with his own GM and not the retained Schoen, but that was never the case.
Schoen proved to be a critical asset to bringing the Super Bowl-winner to Big Blue and the two looked like they could be at the start of a budding bromance as Harbaugh and his wife Ingrid arrived at the Giants facilities for the first time as coach on Monday night.
The Giants posted video and photos of Schoen greeting the couple at 1925 Giants Drive. Two in particular focused on Harbaugh and Schoen.
One shows the pair smiling as they go in for a strong handshake and likely bro-hug. The other shows the pair laughing as Schoen gives the former Ravens coach an enthusiastic double-point.
Their relationship in the team’s hierarchy will be different from that Giants coaches in the past, as both Harbaugh and Schoen will both report directly to co-owner John Mara.
Harbaugh was also shown walking into his new office ahead of his introductory press conference on Tuesday at noon.
The Giants put the full-court press on to land Harbaugh, who was fired after 18 seasons with the Ravens. Baltimore missed out on the playoffs and the AFC North title thanks to a heartbreaking loss to the rival Steelers on a late missed field goal in the regular season final.
The 63-year-old, who owns a .614 winning percentage in the regular season, met with the Giants extensively on Wednesday and had agreed to move toward a team later that night. His five-year, $100 million contract became finalized Saturday afternoon.
Schoen was brought back by the Giants, who fired coach Brian Daboll midseason, despite the team going 22-45-1 in his five-year tenure with one playoff appearance. The team believed Schoen built a talented roster that underperformed with Daboll, going 4-13 and blowing numerous fourth-quarter leads this season.
But a core of quarterback Jaxson Dart, receiver Malik Nabers, running back Cam Skattabo, left tackle Andrew Thomas and pass rushers Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter has the Giants hopeful about Schoen and their future.
Harbaugh told noti.group’s Paul Schwartz on Sunday that he is “fired up” to coach for the loyal Big Blue fanbase.
It was enough to entice Harbaugh to come north to chase his second Super Bowl ring and Giants’ fifth as his and Schoen’s relationship appears off to a chummy start.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
