The New York Giants have appointed Dennard Wilson as their new defensive coordinator, marking the first significant move by the team”s new head coach, John Harbaugh. This information was confirmed by a source familiar with the situation.
According to the source, who spoke anonymously due to the absence of an official announcement, Wilson is set to take on this role after spending the last two seasons leading the defensive unit for the Tennessee Titans. Although the Titans ranked 21st in overall defense during the past season, they managed to secure the second spot in 2024.
Wilson, who will turn 44 on March 31, began his coaching career as a college safety at Maryland. He previously worked as the defensive backs coach under Harbaugh when they were both with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. His coaching experience also includes tenures with the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets, and the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams.
Taking charge of a defensive lineup that includes prominent pass rushers such as Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter, along with nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, Wilson has a wealth of talent at his disposal. However, the Giants” defense struggled last season, ranking as the fifth-worst in the league, and they were at the bottom of the chart when Mike Kafka, the interim coach, dismissed the previous defensive coordinator, Shane Bowen.
It remains unclear whether Charlie Bullen, who concluded the season in the defensive coordinator position, will continue with the Giants.
During his introductory press conference, Harbaugh mentioned that several coaches from his former staff in Baltimore would likely join him in New York. However, he acknowledged that confirmations would only come once arrangements were finalized. Among those potential candidates is former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
General manager Joe Schoen emphasized the importance of securing strong offensive minds for the team, stating, “We need to interview candidates. There are many talented offensive minds available, and we will be engaging with several candidates specifically for that side of the ball.”
