Kayvon Thibodeaux embracing John Harbaugh’s ‘old-school’ approach to help fix Giants

SAN FRANCISCO — Of course Giants players are eager to learn all they can about their new head coach. As such, Kayvon Thibodeaux, as he made the rounds during Super Bowl week, asked around about John Harbaugh. 

Thibodeaux found “a few older guys” who played for Harbaugh and the reports he got back all confirmed that he is an “old-school” coach and “he’s strict but he knows football and he loves football.’’ 

After four seasons, the 25-year-old outside linebacker’s Giants journey rolls on, as they picked up his fifth-year option for $14.75 million. He has experienced initial winning in 2022, and ever since, far too much losing. He sounds extremely intrigued by the no-nonsense reputation Harbaugh cultivated during his 18 years in Baltimore. 

“I always like when you pass a certain age you don’t have to sugarcoat what you say, you’re just kinda straightforward, white and black,’’ Thibodeaux said Friday before a Blue Square Alliance Against Hate Unity Summit. “You see a lot of different cultures, different people that want to sometimes change their ways for the new generation or they want to fit in or whatever the case may be. 

“For me, specifically, I like old-school coaches because they just take no bulls–t, black and white, you know what you’re gonna get every day. I think with a lot of young guys that we have, I think it’s gonna be good for him to really get it in order.’’ 

Harbaugh is tasked with getting the Giants in order. Thibodeaux has not yet spoken with his new head coach, but he has been in contact with Dennard Wilson, the new defensive coordinator. 

Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrates after a fumble recovery during the fourth quarter of the Giants’ win over the Eagles on Oct. 9, 2025 at MetLife Stadium. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

“I think we have a great opportunity on defense,’’ Thibodeaux said. “We got a lot of pieces so I’m excited about the brief conversation we did have, how he’s gonna utilize his assets and we’re gonna mix things up and play aggressive.’’ 

Thibodeaux is relieved that his position coach, Charlie Bullen, was retained by Harbaugh, saying “Love that, man, I was sweating.’’ 

Told that the Cardinals requested an interview with Bullen for their defensive coordinator job, Thibodeaux winced and blurted out an obscenity. 

“I got to sabotage that,’’ he said. “Keep him with the Giants.’’ 

New Giants head coach John Harbaugh smiles and gestures while speaking during his introductory press conference at the team’s training facility. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Thibodeaux went through a rough 2025 season. He started the first 10 games, contributed 25 tackles, 2.5 sacks and nine quarterback hits and then was shelved with a shoulder injury, missing the final seven games. He did not need surgery and said he is medically cleared and will be completely ready to take the field in the spring. 

As much as Thibodeaux tried to find out about Harbaugh, he also needs to, at some point, convey to his new boss what he is all about as a player. 

“Me? I’m a hard worker,’’ Thibodeaux said. “I feel like I’m a Swiss Army knife, a guy that’s always gonna show up and do whatever the team needs to succeed I’m here, I’m a vessel, that’s kinda what I tell all my coaches, from just conversations, navigating the team to what I think about football. I think I got a pretty good football IQ and also just life, getting wisdom, getting information, letting him know I’m a sponge when it comes to the game and experiences in life.’’ 

Patriots owner Robert Kraft in 2019 founded the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and launched Blue Square Alliance Against Hate in 2025 to inspire Americans to stand up to Jewish hate and all hate. Thibodeaux participated in a fireside discussion as part of a Unity Summit Against Hate. 

“For me, I’m a part of a marginalized race, a marginalized community, being from the inner city of Los Angeles and then when you tie in the religious pieces of how the world has marginalized each other, I think it’s really important to try to find peace in that and try to find happiness in that,’’ he said. “For me it not only feels like a privilege but an honor to be here and to speak on behalf of the Blue Square Alliance.’’