The New York Giants hired 38-year-old New England Patriots wide receivers/special teams coordinator Joe Judge on Tuesday.
While Judge has been described as a “no nonsense” type of guy and is a disciple of the Bill Belichick and Nick Saban coaching tree, he has zero head coaching experience at any level.
It was reported that Judge will be allowed to select his own coaching staff and picking the right guys will be critical in the early stages of his young coaching career
Let’s take a look at nine possible candidates, who could help Judge on Big Blue’s staff.
Jason Garrett, Offensive Coordinator
Jason Garrett was originally linked to the Giants’ head coaching position after being let go in bizarre fashion by the Dallas Cowboys. Although Garrett was recently let go as a head coach, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t give the Giants offense a boost as their play caller.
The Cowboys’ offense was certainly not the problem last year ranking No. 1 in total offense with 431 total yards per game. They also ranked sixth in the NFL scoring 27.1 points per week.
Garrett went 85-67 as head coach of the Cowboys with a 2-3 postseason record, but did not get the most out of a star-studded roster that failed to reach an NFC Championship game in nine seasons.
Prior to becoming lead man, Garrett’s had a high reputation as an offensive mind dating back to first year as coordinator in 2007, where the Cowboys earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC and had the second best offense in the league.
Garrett has experience developing young quarterbacks, as well including Tony Romo and Dak Prescott and if he is brought in by Judge, he could help Daniel Jones take the next step in year two.
Jay Gruden, Offensive Coordinator
Jay Gruden is another head coach recently let go who would also be an intriguing hire for the Giants.
After a Hall of Fame playing career as a quarterback in the Arena league, Gruden spent seven years as an offensive assistant to his brother, Jon Gruden, with the Buccaneers and a few more seasons coaching in the Arena league. This led to his hiring as offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, who made the postseason in all three years he was their play caller and captured the AFC North in 2013.
Gruden also has experience working with young quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Kirk Cousins, who blossomed under his guidance.
Gruden went 35-50 with one playoff appearance in five-and-a-half seasons coaching the Redskins. While things didn’t workout in D.C., Gruden would be an A+ hire with premium offensive experience, which could also benefit the Giants young quarterback in Jones.
Norv Turner, Offensive Coordinator
Norv Turner is another intriguing candidate as he will likely leave the Carolina Panthers after the hiring of Giants original head coaching favorite Matt Rhule.
Turner spent 15 seasons as a head coach for three different teams (Redskins, Raiders, Chargers), going 118-126 and 4-4 in the postseason. He also has 13 years experience as an offensive coordinator and spent the last two seasons in that role for the Panthers with super star running back Christian McCaffrey.
Unlike Pat Shurmur, who often misused Saquon Barkley, Turner was able to get the most out of McCaffrey, who had the fourth-most rushing yards in the league (1,387) with 15 touchdowns. He also led all tailbacks for the second straight year with 116 catches for 1,005 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Turner helped Phillip Rivers become one of the NFL’s best passers over the course of his time with the Chargers from 2007-2012. Not only could Turner help Jones, he would ultimately utilize Barkley in comparison to the astounding numbers McCaffrey has put up in the past two seasons.
Joe Brady, Offensive Coordinator
Joe Brady was originally linked to Giants head coaching candidate Don “Wink” Martindale as someone he planned on bringing with him to run the offense if he was hired to run a team.
Brady spent two years (2017-2018) as an offensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints. He is also currently the passing game coordinator/receivers coach for LSU, who are playing in the National Championship on Monday, January 13th.
While Brady has potential and helped Joe Burrow have a breakout year this season throwing 55 touchdown passes, he is still just 30-years-old and has minimal coaching experience overall. My prediction is that Brady would be a long-shot to get the Giants offensive coordinator job, but could possibly get a look as a quarterback coach.
Bill Callahan, Offensive Line Coach
Bill Callahan took over as the Redskins interim head coach after Jay Gruden was let go this season. He also has a tremendous reputation around the league as an offensive line coach
Callahan has 16 years of experience as an offensive line coach in the pros, seven as an offensive coordinator, and two as a head coach (four in college). Callahan would be a home run hire for a Giants offensive line that has historically struggled since 2013.
The Giants also had one of the worst line coaches in football the past two seasons in Hal Hunter, so Callahan would be a major upgrade over him, as well.
He also got a solid season out of Giants draft bust Ereck Flowers, who played this past season at guard for the skins.
Callahan could possibly get some consideration for offensive coordinator, which is a role he served with the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, but ultimately he would be better suited to coach the line.
Wade Phillips, Defensive Coordinator
Wade Phillips comes along with 43-plus years of NFL coaching experience as a head coach and defensive coordinator. In the past two years, he commanded the Los Angeles Rams defense under Sean McVay and helped this unit reach Super Bowl LIII.
He also coached the Denver Broncos’ historically dominant defense in 2015 led by Von Miller and Demarcus Ware, which won Super Bowl 50.
Phillips could be the answer for a Giants defense that has ranked among the league’s worst over the past three years.
Rod Marinelli, Defensive Coordinator
With the Dallas Cowboys eyeing Mike Nolan as their defensive coordinator, all signs point to Rod Marinelli seeking a new opportunity. This job could be with the New York Giants after Marinelli helped transform the Cowboys defense into one of the NFL’s best units over the past six seasons.
Unfortunately, the Cowboys defense took a step back this year allowing 327 total yards per week, which was ranked 24th. However, Marinelli helped develop a young and talented front seven that included Demarcus Lawrence, Jaylon Smith, and Leighton Vander Esch.
Marinelli’s scheme could prove to be beneficial to a Giants defense that started several inexperienced rookies or second year players.
Kris Richard, Defensive Coordinator
Kris Richard interviewed for the Giants’ head coaching job last week and the team reportedly came away “very impressed.”
Richard was the defensive backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2010-2014, where his hard hitting secondary earned the nickname “the legion of boom.” He took over as defensive coordinator for the team from 2015-2017 after the departure of Dan Quinn.
Unfortunately, his defense gave up the most points in the NFL in 2015. The following year they ranked 28th and then only marginally improved to 22nd in 2017.
Richard was hired as defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator for the Cowboys in 2018, where he spent the previous to seasons in this role.
He is still just 40 years old and is certainly a candidate to takeover the Giants defense and their very “green” secondary.
Thomas McGaughey, Special Teams Coordinator
Thomas McGaughey took over a struggling special teams unit on the Giants back in 2018 and has transformed them into one of the league’s best since his arrival.
Judge served as the special teams coordinator for the Patriots over the past five years and may consider retaining McGaughey, who has done a great job with the Giants in the last two seasons.
While it would be understandable if Judge chooses to bring in his own guy, McGaughey has 18 years of special teams experience and has earned the right to stay given his track record.
