East Lansing, Michigan — Darien Harris, who most recently served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Business Development and NIL Strategy at Michigan State University, has made a significant move back into the professional sports world, accepting a position with the New York Giants as their new Director of Player Engagement.
Harris has a deep connection to MSU, where he played as a linebacker from 2011 to 2015 and was a captain on the 2015 team that won the Big Ten Championship and reached the College Football Playoffs. Under Harris, MSU’s football program thrived. He first joined the coaching staff in 2020 as the Director of Player Engagement, later advancing to Director of Player Relations and Program Advancement. Throughout his tenure, Harris focused heavily on educating student-athletes about their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, helping them navigate this new aspect of college athletics.
In 2023, Harris earned a promotion to Assistant AD, emphasizing his skills in business development and NIL strategies. His leadership and understanding of modern college football dynamics made him a valuable asset for MSU’s football program. Harris was about to be celebrated as part of a winning culture that led his graduating class to become the most successful in Spartan history with a total of 43 victories.
Harris graduated from Michigan State in 2015 with a degree in journalism and later obtained a master’s degree in marketing research in 2019. His journalism background also allowed him to make notable appearances on sports radio and television, including the Big Ten Network.
As of now, neither Harris nor the MSU Athletic Communications have commented on his departure. His new role with the Giants represents a fresh chapter in an already impressive career.
Fans and supporters of both Harris and MSU are encouraged to continue following his journey as he makes waves in the NFL.
