The Giants are considering hiring a new defensive coordinator following the resignation of head coach Wink Martindale. Here are some highly regarded candidates.
antonio pierce
Will he be hired as the Raiders' full-time head coach after posting a 5-4 record as interim head coach? That's the general desire in Las Vegas, but it's up to mercurial owner Mark Davis. Pierce, 45, is Giants royalty as a smart, energetic middle linebacker on the team that won Super Bowl XLII. He has never been a defensive coordinator at any level, but he is a natural leader. In his debut as interim head coach in Week 9, Pierce's team defeated the Giants 30-6.
leslie frazier
Frazier was the defensive coordinator in Buffalo when Brian Daboll was running the Bills' offense, so there's a familiarity and mutual respect here. Frazier, 64, spent the 2023 season away from football, but he now hopes to return, preferably as a head coach. He has a 21-32-1 record over three seasons as the Vikings' head coach and is considered a calm presence on the team.
Jerome Henderson
The 54-year-old Henderson, a popular figure in the building, has been called “the best defensive backs coach in the league” by Martindale and is considered a top candidate in the company, perhaps along with defensive line coach Andre Patterson. . Although Henderson was a defensive back in the NFL, he has never served as a coordinator at any level during his NFL coaching career, which began with the Jets in 2007.
matt patricia
Here's another veteran coordinator with strong ties to Daboll from their time working together under Bill Belichick with the Patriots. Patricia, 49, failed as the Lions' head coach and has had a rough time as the Eagles' defensive play-caller.
Jesse Minter
Minter's defense at Michigan was the backbone of the Wolverines' undefeated regular season and playoff records. The 40-year-old has NFL experience as the Ravens' defensive backs coach.
Jim Leonhardt
This is a wildcard entry. Leonhardt, 41, spent 10 years in the NFL as a smart, capable defensive back and punt returner who was a favorite of Jets forward Rex Ryan. The former Wisconsin player, defensive coordinator and Badgers interim head coach reportedly turned down the Packers' defensive coordinator job last year after serving as a senior analyst at Illinois last season.
Patrick Graham
Remember, Daboll wanted to hire Graham in 2022 – they worked together in New England – but Graham chose to leave to run the Raiders' defense. Graham, 44, was Joe Judge's defensive coordinator with the Giants.
