Ryan Mink
John Harbaugh started his next chapter as head coach of the New York Giants with the same message he had 18 years ago when he began in Baltimore.
It's going to be about the team, the team, the team, he said.
Harbaugh's introductory press conference Tuesday afternoon in front of a huge New York media contingent had many familiar messages.
But before Harbaugh's first day on the new job, he also took time to thank those in Baltimore who helped him build a resume that made him the hottest coach on the market this offseason.
"I'd like to extend a profound thank you to [Owner] Steve [Bisciotti] and [Executive Vice President] Ozzie [Newsome] for the opportunity, for the guidance that they provided every single day," Harbaugh said.
"To all the players and coaches who have been unrelenting brothers all along the way through the years. We did great things. Thanks, guys."
Harbaugh said the Giants' job was the one he wanted from the start after he and the Ravens parted ways two weeks ago.
"It's a profound honor to be entrusted with the responsibility of coaching the New York Football Giants," Harbaugh said.
"One of the most iconic franchises in all of sports. I wanted this job. To be on the biggest stage in the biggest sport. I know the challenges. I understand the expectations. I know the fans are hungry for a winner. We're here with one mission: to become, to earn the right, to be called the World Champions in New York. And that's what we plan to do."
Bisciotti urged Harbaugh to take a "very expensive paid vacation for a year" since Harbaugh was still under contract. The first question Harbaugh got from the New York media was whether he considered taking time off, as former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has.
"I figured I didn't have enough time to take time off," Harbaugh said. "There's no time for that. I just couldn't wait to get back to work. That was never a question, really.
"It had to be the right opportunity. This was kind of the obvious one from the beginning. This was the one I wanted. I wanted it because we have an opportunity to go win. I like these players, man."
The presence of second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart was a major factor for Harbaugh, who will go from coaching two-time MVP Lamar Jackson to overseeing the development of one of the league's most exciting young signal-callers.
"The quarterback's kind of important. I'm excited about Jaxson Dart," Harbaugh said. "It starts with the quarterback for sure. You build your team around your quarterback.
"I like the way he plays. I like his talent, his skillset, all the things he's accomplished. But more than that, I like who he is and what he's about. To me, he's about football. This young guy loves football. He wants to talk football all the time. That's what I like doing too, so I think we're going to have a lot of great conversations, and I can't wait to get started with him."
