After a brief period of unemployment, John Harbaugh, the former head coach of the Baltimore Ravens and a Super Bowl champion, is reportedly nearing a deal with the New York Giants. As negotiations continue, it appears that only contract terms remain to be finalized before the announcement becomes official.
At 63 years old, Harbaugh will find himself under an even brighter spotlight in New York, where the Giants have struggled to achieve success, managing just one winning season since 2016. With John Mara selecting Harbaugh as the new leader, his wife, Ingrid Harbaugh, will also gain heightened visibility.
Harbaugh initially aspired to attend law school but discovered his passion for football coaching early in his career as a graduate assistant at Western Michigan. It was during this time that he met Ingrid, who was working in the baseball office as an undergraduate student. After several months of friendship, Harbaugh summoned the courage to ask her out, taking her to see “Rocky IV” for their first date. He recalls, “It”s freezing cold and there”s nothing open, so we go to Dairy Queen. We ate ice cream while walking back, and finally, I had the nerve to hold her hand. She had to put our hands in the pocket of my coat because it was cold, and that”s kind of one of those moments that we remember.” The couple tied the knot in 1991.
Ingrid has been a steadfast presence throughout Harbaugh”s coaching journey, often maintaining a low profile. They share a pregame ritual of blowing kisses to each other, and Ingrid acknowledges the stress that comes with being an NFL head coach. To support her husband, she watches film to better understand the challenges he faces. As Harbaugh prepares for the intense scrutiny of the New York media, he will undoubtedly rely on Ingrid”s support as the Giants work towards reclaiming their former glory.
In the wake of the pandemic, Harbaugh found himself spending more time with their daughter, Alison Harbaugh, as she navigated her senior year of high school, which was largely disrupted by Covid-19. This unexpected time together became a cherished opportunity for bonding, particularly as she trained for Division I lacrosse at Notre Dame. “I just remember looking over at him and he was just smiling,” Alison reflected during an interview. “I could just tell he was the happiest person ever in that moment.”
As John Harbaugh embarks on this new chapter with the Giants, both he and Ingrid are poised to face the challenges ahead, with their family bond and shared experiences guiding them through the journey.
