To absolutely no one's surprise, John Harbaugh and his reported $100 million contract are hard at work filling out the rest of the New York Giants' coaching staff. While most of the early news has focused on who’s leaving rather than who’s coming in, Big Blue Nation may have just gotten its clearest hint yet at who the 63-year-old is targeting.
It's long been rumored that Todd Monken -- Harby's offensive coordinator in Baltimore -- will take the open OC role in New York if his head coaching candidacy with the Cleveland Browns falls through, but at this point, it's still pretty up in the air. Monken would be the perfect offensive mind for Jaxson Dart and Co., but it's actually another Baltimore-based coach who appears to be the more sure thing.
Ian O’Connor, writer for NFL Insider and John Harbaugh confidant, broke the news (semi) wide open: assistant head coach/running backs coach Willie Taggart is all but a mortal lock to head up I-95 for a taste of the Big Apple:
I'm told Willie Taggart will indeed be on the Giants staff. Very good addition. https://t.co/nnuiEwLIzs
— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) January 23, 2026
Nothing is official, and it's still unclear what the 49-year-old's role will be, but he's known as a strong assistant with a strong background in building out the run game.
Willie Taggart expected to join John Harbaugh on Giants coaching staff
This won't be Taggart's first rodeo. He's been around the block. He's seen this movie before. It's not his first beer. Insert any cliché you want about his 26-year coaching career here, but one thing is for certain: he'd be a very good addition to Big Blue's staff.
Related: Cam Skattebo might be shaping John Harbaugh’s next major coaching decision
The former Western Kentucky quarterback began his career at WKU in 2000, where he had his hands in a bunch of areas on the offensive side of the ball. He eventually became head coach at his alma mater in 2010, beginning a 13-year stretch leading programs such as WKU (2010-12), South Florida (2013-16), Oregon (2017), Florida State (2018-19), and Florida Atlantic (2020-22).
Funny enough, Taggart played under John's dad, Jack Harbaugh, at WKU, and even coached alongside John's brother, Jim, at Stanford before beginning his career on the headset.
His head coaching career never really took off, going 71-80, but he eventually found his calling as the running backs coach in Baltimore in 2023. It's amazing what working with Derrick Henry can do for a much-maligned college head coach.
With Taggart in tow, Harbaugh's staff now sits at three: Taggart, Tim Kelly, and Charlie Bullen. Who knows what other Ravens coaches the 63-year-old will poach, but don't be surprised if and when he does.