The New York Giants officially welcomed John Harbaugh as their new head coach during an introductory press conference at the team’s training facility on Tuesday, marking a fresh chapter for the storied NFL franchise following a period of transition.
And by ‘period of transition,’ we mean they’ve been, for about a decade, just about the worst team in the league. Harbaugh may change all that.
Harbaugh, who spent 18 successful seasons leading the Baltimore Ravens—where he guided the team to 12 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl victory in 2012—was released earlier this month. The Giants quickly moved to secure the veteran coach.
The hiring drew unexpected attention from the highest office in the land. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Harbaugh for the Giants’ job via a post on Truth Social shortly after his release from the Ravens.
“The New York Football Giants should hire, without question, John Harbaugh – And John, a great guy, should TAKE THE JOB!!!” he wrote earlier this month.
Harbaugh Calls Trump’s Giants Coaching Endorsement “Really Great”
Following news that the Giants had hired John Harbaugh to be their head coach, Trump continued the praise.
“I like the coach. I like his brother,” he told reporters. “They came up to see me about three months ago. They came up to see me in the White House with their mother and father because the mother likes me, and the father likes me, and I think they like me.”
“And he’s a great coach, and he’s gonna do well with the Giants, just like his brother does so well. They got something very special in their blood. And I’m happy for the Giants. They got a great coach.”
During the Tuesday press conference, when asked by a Fox News reporter about the presidential endorsement, Harbaugh responded with enthusiasm and a big ol’ smile.
“It feels really great,” Harbaugh said, beaming with pride. “I also noticed on that post he said, ‘And John, take the job!’ So, I thought John Mara might have had something to do with that. I don’t know. But, it’s cool.”
“It’s sports. Everybody’s excited. Everybody follows it. At every level, people follow football. They follow the Giants. They follow the National Football League. Like we said, it’s the biggest sport,” he added. “It’s the most iconic franchise in the biggest sport. So, here we are.”
Alright, calm down a bit. The Giants are not THEE most iconic franchise in the NFL. Just stahp.
READ MORE: Miami’s Cavinder Twins Show Off ‘Glute Growth’ to Fans in Viral Images
The connection between Harbaugh and Trump runs deeper than the recent endorsement. Approximately three months ago, John and Jim Harbaugh, along with their families—including their parents—visited the White House.
The new Giants coach adamantly defended going to the White House at the time.
“It was amazing. It was awesome. And I promise you I root for our president. I want our president to be successful just like I want my quarterback to be successful, and I want my team to be successful, and it was an amazing experience,” he told a reporter who questioned him. “It’s not often you get invited, and you get a chance to do something like that as a family.”
John and Jim are both open about their Christian faith.
Giants fans and observers alike will now watch to see if the veteran coach can translate his proven track record into success in New York.