The New York Giants knew what they wanted in their next head coach, but they had no idea which of the candidates they were set interview had what they were looking for.
On Monday, in walked New England Patriots assistant Joe Judge and their prayers were answered. Judge won the Giants over with a confidence and frankness they have not seen in some time.
Judge has a little bit of every coach he’s been around in him and he’s been around the best.
“I think the road to how we got here was uncharted,” said Giants chairman Steve Tisch. “It was different than what we thought it was going to be. That saying ‘everything happens for a reason,’ I believe Joe Judge is our coach for a reason. Matt Rhule is the Panthers head coach for a reason. Mike (McCarthy) is the Cowboys head coach for a reason.
“It just worked out, (you) can’t plan for it. I don’t really make plans, if you want to make plans, you’re going to make God laugh. It worked out extremely well and I could not be more thrilled with Joe Judge as the New York Giants head coach.”
Judge had been flying under-the-radar in NFL coaching circles. His name hadn’t been uttered in tones more than whispers. Then, things picked up speed early this week when Judge at down in front of the Giants’ brass who are at wit’s end when it comes to righting their listing ship.
Tisch was not present at the interview on Monday, but flew up to Providence, R.I. to have sit-down with Judge afterward. He, too, was lifted off his feet.
“I felt a tremendous amount of leadership, discipline,” said Tisch. “He is a tremendous communicator, he’s a student and a teacher at the same time. As a student, he has this voracious appetite to learn more and more. As a teacher, I think he is so committed and so passionate about working with every player on the roster, every coach on the staff. His commitment to this game and to the New York Giants is fantastic.”
Tisch acknowledged the fact that Judge studied at the feet of both Nick Saban at Alabama and Bill Belichick up in Foxborough went a long way in selling him.
“When the conversation started, and my questions were answered, and the dialogue became more organic than just plain questions,” said Tisch. “I clearly got the impression that this is a very dynamic, passionate human being. His knowledge of the game, I think what he learned at Alabama under coach (Nick) Saban and clearly what he learned at the Patriots under Bill, he had two fantastic mentors. Not all students take great things from great teachers, I think Joe really has learned the best from the best. I think that is part of who he is and what his character is.”
Here’s an example of Judge on the sidelines working on an official:
