John Harbaugh’s Giants era opens with energy, intensity at training camp

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Brian Burns was talking about the way John Harbaugh comports himself in team meetings and came up with “intensity” as a way to describe his new head coach.

When and how does Burns see that intensity in Harbaugh?

“Every time he opens his mouth,” Burns said, breaking into a smile and laugh. “That’s who he is, he can’t help it. He’s got that intensity regardless. Enthusiasm I should say, not intensity.”

Both are apt characterizations when it comes to Harbaugh.

The 63-year-old has been at this for nearly two decades, taking a team into training camp, but what transpired Wednesday was a new twist. Harbaugh, after 18 years as the Ravens head coach, is now running a different team after the Giants gave him a five-year, $100 million contract to turn losing into winning.

His new job arrived with an added wrinkle, as ongoing renovations at the Giants facility meant they had to hit the road for camp this summer. These renovations and expansions were planned well before Harbaugh got the job.

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh looks on during camp at the Greenbrier, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in White Sulphur Springs, W.VA. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

As the Giants pulled up to The Greenbrier resort Tuesday night, Harbaugh noticed all the blue, red and white signs, placards and billboards around the Sports Performance Center. That got to him as he readied himself for his first camp practice running the show for the Giants.

“I mean, it’s cool seeing the colors and the logo,” Harbaugh said. “Once you’re out there at practice, you’re just working, right? But driving in on the buses, maybe. When you drive up to the facility off the plane and you see all the signage and all that. It’s Giants. That was a pretty cool moment.’’

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh speaks during a news conference after an NFL football training camp, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. AP Photo/Chris Carlson

Harbaugh put his team through a high-energy, 90-minute session. There are NFL Players Association guidelines for what a head coach can and cannot do this time of year, meaning the first few days are non-padded practices, and the duration of each practice can increase in small increments each day.

Day 1 is in the books.

“I was really happy with it,” Harbaugh said. “I thought we were on point. There was determination. Nobody was happy-go-lucky coming in. Everybody was in good spirits. But more than that, they were focused and determined to get off to a good start. I saw that from when they reported over there at the facility, did the conditioning test and all that back at our place in East Rutherford, and then here when we got here, and then today. So, I expect that to continue.”

The first team meeting of camp opened up with the song “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” the John Denver anthem for West Virginia. 

“A lot of the guys knew the words,” Harbaugh said. “I knew the words.’’

There will be less singing and more running and grinding as camp gets cooking.

“He makes it very clear what he expects,” Burns said. “He expects you to work. He expects you to be a pro, show up on time, prepared. He’s not a man for excuses. He understands stuff happens, but he ain’t trying to give too much of that.”