The New York Giants officially announced the hiring of Joel Thomas as their next running backs coach on Tuesday.
Thomas will replace Jeff Nixon, who recently departed for Syracuse, where he’ll serve as their offensive coordinator and running backs coach.
Thomas will inherit a running back group rife with uncertainty. Saquon Barkley avoided exit interviews and all but demanded the Giants franchise him before March if they intend to. If not, Barkley says, it’s time to let him go.
If the Giants opt against franchising Barkley and fail to sign him to a long-term deal, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Needless to say, Thomas has a lot of work to do. But before that begins, here are five things to know about the Giants’ new running backs coach.