The Giants are in the market for the fifth running back coach in five years.
Joel Thomas is making a lateral move to reunite with the Saint after spending a season with the Giants under Brian Dabor.
Thomas is a saint who ran saints from 2015 to 23, and is a rare long life in one of the NFL position coaches.
It appeared that the Giants were about to pass the offseason with minimal coaching changes. Defensive back manager Jerome Henderson and Safetys Mike Trier were fired and replaced by Marcand Manuel (secondary coach/pass game coordinator) and Jeff Barris (cornerback coach). – But the Saints are late to bringing in staff as they couldn't hire new head coach Kellen Moore until the Eagles win the Super Bowl.
On the offensive side, the Giants lost assistant quarterback coach Christian Jones to the Browns (tight end coach) and replaced them with Chad Hall.
The final running back coach was Burton Burns (2020-21), who was let go when the Joe Judge staff were fired.
Daboll employs Deandrew Smith (who became Colts running back coach), Jeff Nixon (who left to become Syracuse offensive coordinator) and Thomas.
Thomas helped the Giants identify and develop surprise rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Thomas and Tracy share Purdue's roots.
Thomas recently served as the offensive coordinator at the Senior Bowl. The Giants finish near the bottom of the NFL and are the opportunity given to him to get a face-to-face feel for prospects, just as his assistant is part of the college All-Star Game.
