Blog: Giants introduce John Harbaugh as new head coach

Watch the John Harbaugh Giants news conference

Watch the live stream of John Harbaugh's introductory news conference as the new head coach of the Giants.

First time vs. Long time

Credibility is the word that's popped up a lot today with John Harbaugh. Chris Mara said it. GM Joe Schoen just said it to us. That and leadership were the big selling points in hiring him and the players not taking long to be convinced by his vision.

It's the difference in hiring an experienced coach as opposed to a first-time head coach.

Qualities Harbaugh wants in his players

"We have to have guys that love football. This is a football team and we need guys that love everything about football... If you love football, you’re gonna want to be here. You’re gonna want to drive into that parking lot every single day."

"If there are guys who don't love football, Joe, we're probably going to let them go play somewhere else."

John Harbaugh's focus

John Harbaugh's opening remarks included what he wants to focus on with the Giants:

• Building a team that is physical and tough that is capable of overwhelming opponents from beginning to end, especially at the end.
• Do things the right way every single day. It was always be about the team, (the team, the team, the team, he said three times)
• "I like these players. I like their style."

Harbaugh on Dart and his coaching staff

On Jaxson Dart as his starting quarterback:

"You build your team around your quarterback. I loved his talent, his skill set. I like who he is, and what he's about. He's about football. He loves football, he wants to talk football all the time. And that's what I like to do too."

On hiring his coordinators and coaching staff:

"It starts with hiring coaches who are teachers. Coaches are teachers first. The ability to teach, take a vision that's well organized. Structured in a really good way. Present and train it where guys play with confidence."

John and Joe

Harbaugh on what he expects from his relationship with GM Joe Schoen: "I expect it to be phenomenally great... The idea is let's work together and build something great."

Harbaugh also said it doesn’t matter that he reports to president/CEO John Mara instead of Schoen.

"We all report to the boss. The boss is ownership. John Mara is running football operations here and I’m glad he is...We want our bosses to be happy. We want them to be smiling."

Some of John Harbaugh's funnier lines from his presser

"They say New York is a different kind of place. I would say that's pretty much true, man,"

"We're not in the AFC, Jim. You can breathe easy."

"Quarterback is kind of important. That's kind of a big deal."

Referencing playing against a current Giants QB: "That was a great game . . . for you."

When asked about his reaction to President Trump tweeting that he should take this job: "I also noticed that he said 'John, take the job,' so I thought maybe John Mara had something to do with that."

On the differences between coaching in Baltimore and New York/New Jersey: "The skyline is a lot different here."

John Mara has arrived

John Mara has arrived, escorted by his daughter. He is walking slowly. A reverent hush has taken over the fieldhouse and it is clear we are about to begin.

Mara was diagnosed with cancer, which he disclosed in the fall, and has been undergoing treatments but was a big player in this hire. His conversations with John Harbaugh throughout the process helped push things forward and Harbaugh has said his respect for Mara played a part in his decision to come here.

Mara is seated in the front row along with Chris Mara, Steve Tisch and Jonathan Tisch.

Here's Johnny!

The crowd applauded the arrival of John Harbaugh into the news conference area. He received a standing ovation as he chatted with players. 

Giants GM Joe Schoen introduced "the next football caoch of the New York Giants, John Harbaugh" after thanking the Mara, Tisch and Koch families.

John Harbaugh has spoken. He said he wanted this job. He understands it's one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports.

• "I wanted this job. I think I told you that, Mr. Mara. I wanted this job."
• "It's a profound honor to be entrusted with the responsibility of coaching the New York FOOTBALL Giants"
• "They say New York is a different kind of place. I would say that's pretty much true, man."

- Tom Rock and Evan Barnes

As we await John Harbaugh . . .

About 200 people have gathered at the Giants' facility with 10 minutes to go before the scheduled start of the presser, including Steve Tisch, Tim McDonnell, Brandon Brown and a lot of members of the Mara family.  Players are in the locker room right now and are expected to come out shortly.

Former players in attendance so far include , Chris Snee, Rich Seubert, Tiki Barber and Howard Cross.

Current players there include Jameis Winston, James Hudson, John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten and Marcus Mboe.

John Harbaugh doesn't have to win this press conference

Usually at these events, there is talk of “winning the press conference,” getting through the event without making a critical error (such as an oversized suit or darting eyes) while setting the tone for what is to come. The Giants, for the first time in decades, don’t have to worry about coming out ahead in such matters, though.

Win the presser? They already won the hire. 

Read more from Tom Rock here as we await the start of today's noon event.