Giants Hire Dennard Wilson as Defensive Coordinator

John Harbaugh spoke to former Ravens assistant Rex Ryan about the job before making the hire

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The New York Giants have hired Dennard Wilson as their new defensive coordinator, but he wasn't the only one of John Harbaugh's former Baltimore Ravens assistants in the mix for the job. Harbaugh revealed that he spoke "at length" with Rex Ryan, who served as the Ravens' defensive coordinator during Harbaugh's first season as head coach in 2008, about leaving his ESPN analyst role to join the Giants' coaching staff.

Why it matters

The Giants are looking to improve their defense after a disappointing 2025 season, and Harbaugh's connections to potential coordinator candidates like Wilson and Ryan could provide valuable insight. Ryan's name has been floated for various coaching jobs in recent years, but he has remained in the broadcasting world since last coaching with the Buffalo Bills in 2016.

The details

Dennard Wilson, who previously served as the defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, was ultimately hired as the Giants' new defensive coordinator. While Harbaugh spoke extensively with Ryan about the job, it's unclear if Ryan was ever a serious candidate or if those conversations were more exploratory in nature.

  • The Giants hired Dennard Wilson as their defensive coordinator in February 2026.

The players

John Harbaugh

The head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who previously worked with both Dennard Wilson and Rex Ryan as Ravens assistants.

Dennard Wilson

The new defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, previously the defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rex Ryan

A former defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens who later became the head coach of the New York Jets. He has been working as an ESPN analyst since last coaching with the Buffalo Bills in 2016.

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What they’re saying

“I talked to Rex about that job at length. Rex is a guy I love and have a lot of respect for.”

— John Harbaugh, Head Coach, Baltimore Ravens (The Athletic)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Rex Ryan will return to coaching in the future or if he will continue his media analyst role.

The takeaway

The Giants' defensive coordinator hire highlights the importance of NFL coaching connections, as Harbaugh's past relationships with potential candidates like Wilson and Ryan gave the team valuable insight as they looked to improve their defense.