John Harbaugh says Giants’ power structure being ‘overblown’

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants named John Harbaugh on Tuesday as the 21st head coach in their rich history. With 12 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl victory to his name, he arrives with more credentials and authority than most, if not all, of his predecessors.

Harbaugh, who dedicated 18 seasons to the Baltimore Ravens, inked a five-year contract with the Giants that various league sources informed ESPN is around $100 million. With such a significant salary comes added duties and influence over personnel decisions.

He will have a direct line to ownership instead of going through general manager Joe Schoen. Traditionally, the Giants have had their head coach report to the general manager, who in turn would communicate with ownership.

He intends to cultivate a new culture from Day 1, starting with recruiting the right players.

«For me, the paramount aspect is we need to have individuals who are passionate about football. It’s essential,» Harbaugh stated. «This is football. What is our purpose? What are we doing? What is this facility for? It’s for football. This is a football organization. We require individuals who cherish every facet of football. They adore the games, they relish the practices, they appreciate the weight training, they enjoy the meetings, they savor the dining hall. They embrace every element of football. If you are passionate about football, you’ll want to be here.»

This was the environment Harbaugh fostered during his 18 years in Baltimore. It’s the principle he observed his mentor Andy Reid employ as the cornerstone of his achievements in Philadelphia.

Harbaugh consulted with Reid about potentially swapping locations. Reid is experiencing a tremendously prosperous second chapter in Kansas City. Harbaugh mentioned he would agree to the same level of success Reid has attained with the Chiefs, including three Super Bowl victories.

Reid’s counsel to Harbaugh suggested that leaving Baltimore for New York could be a beneficial move.

«Change,» Reid remarked, «can be advantageous.»