By Owen HillmanShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberNew York Giants head coach John Harbaugh has found his defensive coordinator. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafalo, the Giants are hiring Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.
Wilson has worked under Harbaugh before. He was the defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, and the Ravens had the best scoring defense in the league, allowing just 16.5 points per game. Strong safety Kyle Hamilton made an All-Pro team after earning three sacks and four interceptions.
After defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald became head coach of the Seattle Seahawks in 2024, Wilson left as well. He became the defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, and while his scoring defenses were bottom five in the league both years, he allowed the second lowest number of yards per game (311.2) in 2024.
Advanced stats paint his tenure in a much better light: he was fifth in yards allowed per drive (28.8), although his defense went down to 18th (31.9) in 2025.
Before his time with the Ravens, he had jobs as a pro scout for the Chicago Bears (2009-11), def. quality control and DBs coach for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2012-16), DBs coach for the New York Jets (2017-20) and DBs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22). He’s developed guys like Jamal Adams, Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson, and Marcus Maye.
The Giants have the recipe for a great defense, with All-Pros Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence alongside rookies Abdul Carter and Darius Alexander, along with quality players such as Bobby Okereke, Paulson Adebo, and Jevon Holland. However, they ranked just 26th in points allowed per game (25.8), resulting in former Titans defensive coordinator Shane Bowen being fired midseason.
Read More: Major Update Emerges on Ex-Bills Coach Sean McDermott’s NFL Future
...Read More: Seahawks Coach is ‘Prime Candidate’ for Raiders Head Coach Job: Report
They’re desperately looking for a cultural reset. Since their Super Bowl win at the end of the 2011 season, the Giants have only made the playoffs twice in 14 years, including just one playoff win. Harbaugh is bringing Wilson to revitalize the defense, and it remains to be seen whom he’ll hire on the offensive side of the ball.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Related Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsAvalanches Close Pennsylvania Roadway as Storm Grips US3 min read
PoliticsTrump Issues Immigration Demands to Walz, Democratic Leaders7 min read
NRA Makes Rare Statement Against Trump Admin Over Alex Pretti Shooting8 min read
PoliticsTim Walz Responds to ‘Falsehoods’ Raised in Pam Bondi Letter4 min read
NewsAlex Pretti ‘Wasn’t Looking for Trouble,’ Says Colleague Who Hired Him4 min read
NewsPam Bondi Offers to Pull ICE Out of Minneapolis if Voter Files Handed Over4 min readTrending
MinneapolisNRA Makes Rare Statement Against Trump Admin Over Alex Pretti Shooting8 min readPam BondiPam Bondi Offers To Pull ICE out of Minneapolis if Voter Files Handed Over4 min read
Breaking NewsDonald Trump Reacts to Fatal Minneapolis Shooting5 min read
Breaking NewsObamas Release Statement on Alex Pretti Shooting1 min read
DogsFamily Surrenders Dog After 2 Years—His Reaction in Shelter Breaks Hearts3 min readOpinion
OpinionIs Government Accountability in Free Fall? | Opinion5 min read
OpinionFour AI Risk Trends To Watch For in 2026 | Opinion6 min read
OpinionWho’s Afraid of the Ten Commandments?6 min read
For MembersOpinionConventional Wisdom: Davos 2026 Edition3 min read
OpinionRemoving Trump Via the 25th Amendment Is Virtually Impossible. Should Dems Push for It Anyway? | Opinion5 min read