The expected changes to the New York Giants coaching staff under new head coach John Harbaugh have reportedly begun. The New York Post is reporting that with the exception of Charlie Bullen all of the team’s 2025 defensive coaches have been let go.
According to the Post, assistant coaches Andre Patterson (defensive line), John Egorugwu (inside linebackers), Marquand Manuel (secondary coach/pass game coordinator) and Jeff Burris (cornerbacks) will not be retained. Assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox had previously been fired by interim head coach Mike Kafka.
Bullen, the outside linebackers coach, did an excellent job as interim defensive coordinator after taking over for the fired Shane Bowen. Bullen has a previous relationship with GM Joe Schoen, and has also been getting interviews for vacant defensive coordinator positions. Bullen, per the Post, is not yet guaranteed to remain on Harbaugh’s staff.
The defense massively underperformed in 2025 under Bowen. When Brian Daboll was fired as head coach in the middle of the 2025 season and GM Joe Schoen was retained, ownership made it clear that it felt the Giants’ biggest issue had been coaching.
The fate of offensive and special teams coaches is not yet known.
In what might be a sign of changes yet to come, though, Harbaugh is the only coach currently listed on the team’s website.
Offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo might have an inside track on returning, especially since Harbaugh’s father, Jack, has apparently recommended he be kept. Jack Harbaugh was head coach at Western Michigan from 1982-1986 and Western Kentucky from 1989-2002.
Todd Monken, John Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens the past three seasons, is considered the favorite to become the Giants’ offensive coordinator. He is, though, still under consideration for the Cleveland Browns’ head-coaching vacancy.
Jim Leonhard, defensive pass game coordinator for the Denver Broncos, is a possibility for defensive coordinator.
Harbaugh had said after his introductory press conference on Tuesday that he hoped to speak to a number of his former Baltimore assistant coaches about coming to the Giants. One who will not be coming to New Jersey is Baltimore special teams coordinator Charlie Horton. The Ravens have blocked him from interviewing for lateral jobs, and may also do the same with other coaches Harbaugh may want to poach. They cannot prevent coaches from interviewing for promotions.
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