Newly appointed New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh has made his first big hire as the man in charge. Earlier this offseason, Dennard Wilson, the now-former Titans defensive coordinator, was tapped to fulfill the same role for Big Blue. However, this has the fanbase split because the Tennessee Titans stunk up a storm last year.
What is Wilson going to do differently from what Shane Bowen did? One former Giant told Pat Leonard what all fans needed to hear about their new coach:
Former Giant Jihad Ward tells me Dennard Wilson, Ward’s Titans DC, will bring accountability, physicality & attitude to NYG.
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) January 27, 2026
"If you're soft and not physical or smart, you will not play," @JIHADWARD17 said Monday. “Great coach. He just wants you to ball!” https://t.co/OUMf00bhTq pic.twitter.com/WPcT5RhBbV
Those three words should be music to every Giants fan's ears. Accountability, physicality, and attitude. Three things the Giants defense hasn't seen in years. Under Shane Bowen, even someone not familiar with football could tell you it was a poorly coached group. Missed tackles, lack of hustle, and no real will to punish opponents seemed to be the group's MO.
Jihad Ward hopefully put an (at least temporary end) to the skeptics view. Finally, it seems like the team has someone who won't let poor play go with a simple reprimand or half-hearted benching. If you aren't playing well, then you aren't playing. Period.
Don't let the Titans' record fool you, WIlson can coach a defense
We might as well chalk down 2025 as a lost year on Wilson's resume because he's had success everywhere he's been. In 2024, he coached the Titans' defense to second best in overall defense, allowing 311 yards per game.
They also finished second-best in pass defense with just more than 177 yards per game. Not to mention, the 2024 Titans were top five in fewest first downs allowed and fewest yards per play.
Add that in with the fact Wilson has experience on Harbaugh's staff, and it's a no-brainer why Harbaugh decided to bring him along. When Wilson was with the Ravens in 2023 as defensive backs coach, the team was sixth in pass defense and third in interceptions. Given the team's struggles with the secondary in the past, this screams improvement is on the horizon.
Related: Giants’ new DC may already be eyeing a familiar face for his defense
Fans knew what they were getting once Harbaugh was hired: an adult in the room. With the Wilson hire, it's clear he wants that theme a constant on his staff. Someone who won't be afraid to let the guys know when they're slacking and can coach them out of it.
There's no way of knowing for sure how this staff will play out, but it already feels like a breath of fresh air.