Tag: Patrick Graham

Raiders land former Giants DC Patrick Graham to same position

Josh McDaniels lures over Patrick Graham from the Giants to be his DC

Josh McDaniels has landed a big hire for the most important position on his staff. The Raiders’ new defensive coordinator will be former Giants DC Patrick Graham.

Graham was with the Patriots along with McDaniels from 2009-15, alternating from defensive line coach to linebackers coach.

The past three seasons Graham has been the DC and assistant head coach in New York under head coach Joe Judge, another former Patriots assistant.

The Giants hired former Bills OC Brian Daboll to be there new head coach this year, freeing up Graham to seek out employment elsewhere. On the same day reports had Raiders former DC Gus Bradley hired on with the Colts, the Raiders find his replacement.

The defense slipped a bit for the Giants last season, but was a top ten unit in 2020 under Graham. They were 12th in the league last season in interceptions (15), which is a step up from the Raiders which were dead last with just six interceptions on the season.

Report: Raiders to hire Giants DC Patrick Graham for same role

The Raiders are reportedly hiring Giants DC Patrick Graham for the same role.

The Las Vegas Raiders are hiring New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for the same role, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

While the Giants had hopes of Graham returning for another season as defensive coordinator under new head coach Brian Daboll, it appears he’d prefer to reunite with Josh McDaniels, who is the new head coach of the Raiders.

He had his interview with the Raiders on Friday.

The Raiders were in the market for a defensive coordinator when they learned the Indianapolis Colts would be hiring their defensive coordinator in Gus Bradley.

Graham’s defense has certainly had its up and down moments throughout his two-year tenure with Big Blue. But the team had hopes of retaining him even with a head coach.

But that won’t be the case it seems. The Giants will now be in the market for a new defensive coordinator.

[lawrence-related id=686485,686452,686441]

[listicle id=686294]

Raiders interviewing Giants’ Patrick Graham for defensive coordinator job

The Raiders are interviewing Giants DC Patrick Graham for the same position in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Raiders are showing interest in New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Raiders are interviewing Graham for their defensive coordinator position on Friday.

The Giants want to retain him, of course, but Graham’s options are growing after also interviewing with the Steelers.

Graham is currently in his second stint with the Giants. He was their defensive line coach in 2016-17 but was hired by the Packers in 2018 to be their LBs coach and run game coordinator, and then was the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator in 2019.

He re-joined the Giants in 2020 as their assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. New York ranked ninth in points allowed and 12th in yards in 2020, but there was a drop-off this past season with the Giants finishing 23rd and 21st in each category, respectively.

Report: Giants will retain assistants Jerome Henderson and Mike Treier

The New York Giants are expected to retain defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson and assistant defensive backs coach Mike Treier.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

As the New York Giants hustle to fill out their coaching staff under new head coach Brian Daboll on the offensive side of the football, the defensive staff is beginning to take shape as well.

The hiring process had slowed until the Giants knew the fate of coordinator Patrick Graham, who was a finalist for the Minnesota Vikings’ head coaching position.

On Wednesday evening, the Vikings informed Graham he was no longer being considered for the job, paving the way for his return to the Giants. And with him likely back in East Rutherford, a few assistants will also remain, reports Dan Duggan of The Athletic.

Veteran defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson will be retained, according to a source. Expect assistant defensive backs coach Mike Treier to return as well since he has a close relationship with Graham.

Assuming Graham does return — and there’s no reason to believe he won’t — you can expect the remainder of the staff to be rounded out quickly. Graham was also the assistant head coach under Joe Judge. There is no indication that he would be stripped of that title should be return.

In 2020, Graham’s unit was ranked 13th overall in the NFL in total defense. They fell to 21st last season under more trying conditions, including season-ending injuries to captains Blake Martinez and Jabrill Peppers, and an inept offense that left the defense on the field nearly 33 minutes per game.

[lawrence-related id=685861,685858,685845]

Patrick Graham passed over for Vikings job, likely to remain with Giants

The Vikings have informed Patrick Graham he’s out of the running for their head coaching job, paving the way for a New York Giants return.

The Minnesota Vikings are narrowing the scope of their head coaching search and Patrick Graham, who was among the finalists, has been informed he’s out of the running.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that Minnesota informed Graham and Raheem Morris that they are no longer under consideration. That reveal came just hours after Jim Harbaugh returned to Michigan.

With Graham being passed over for the Vikings’ job, that means he’ll likely return to the New York Giants as their defensive coordinator. And although the organization wanted him to land a head coaching gig, they’ll happily welcome him back with open arms.

“I’ve had a good relationship with Pat for some time in this league. He’s very diligent. He’s smart. I think the players respect him. He understands different defenses and I have a good working relationship with him. I did when I was back at New England,” head coach Brian Daboll said during his introductory press conference.

“Certainly, we hope that he has an opportunity to become a head coach. I think that’s everybody’s dream, but selfishly, I would love him to be here. He offers a lot to our program. I think he’d be a great support system for me and I’m hoping that that works out.”

There are still other head coach openings around the league but to date, none of those teams have expressed a public interest in Graham. And that’s unfortunate for them because they’re overlooking a well-respected and success coach.

[pickup_prop id=”19307″]

[lawrence-related id=685834,685829,685824]

Patrick Graham interview with Vikings reportedly lasted nine hours

Nine hours!? Yes, Patrick Graham is a serious candidate.

If anyone was wondering how much the Minnesota Vikings like Patrick Graham as a possible head coach, just look at the nine-hour interview the team conducted with the New Giants defensive coordinator on Tuesday.

It was a marathon interview that gives new meaning to being thorough.

According to NFL insider Albert Breer, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah actually named Graham as a candidate he liked when interviewing with the team. The two have formed a “strong relationship over the last year.”

It’s clear that Adofo-Mensah trusts him enough to potentially kick-start the new regime in Minnesota. He isn’t just giving out nine-hour interviews to everyone.

So there’s some genuine interest there.

But is there enough interest to trump the possibility of the Vikings landing Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh? That’s the biggest question working against Graham right now.

Harbaugh is expected to be in town for a visit on Wednesday with the intent to get a deal done with the Vikings if extended an offer. Even though there are actually four finalists for the job in Minnesota, it’s beginning to look more like two at this point.

Sure, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell remain in the mix, but all eyes are on Harbaugh and Graham right now.

[listicle id=59579]

Giants’ Patrick Graham earns second head coaching interview with Vikings

New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will interview with the Minnesota Vikings for the second time on Tuesday.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The New York Giants hope to retain Patrick Graham as their defensive coordinator but only if he doesn’t land a head coaching job elsewhere.

“I’ve had a good relationship with Pat for some time in this league. He’s very diligent. He’s smart. I think the players respect him. He understands different defenses and I have a good working relationship with him. I did when I was back at New England,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said on Monday.

“Certainly, we hope that he has an opportunity to become a head coach. I think that’s everybody’s dream, but selfishly, I would love him to be here. He offers a lot to our program. I think he’d be a great support system for me and I’m hoping that that works out.”

The only remaining variable that could pry Graham away from the Giants are the Minnesota Vikings, who remain entrenched in a head coaching search of their own.

Minnesota has already interviewed Graham once for their head coaching vacancy and now, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, will meet with him a second time on Tuesday.

Graham has long maintained that coaching the Giants’ defense is his “dream job” and even passed over several coaching opportunities last year to remain in East Rutherford. However, with his close friend, Joe Judge, having been fired earlier this year, Graham has gotten more serious about taking a lead role elsewhere.

If the Vikings do ultimately pass Graham over — and that would be a foolish decision by them — expect him to return to the Giants’ sideline in 2022.

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Giants will retain Kevin Abrams, Ed Triggs

New York Giants GM Joe Schoen says the team will retain assistant GM Kevin Abrams and director of football operations Ed Triggs.

The New York Giants may have a new general manager and a new head coach, but it’s beginning to look like little else will change.

Following Brian Daboll’s introductory press conference on Monday, GM Joe Schoen also briefly met with reporters. And during that time, revealed the Giants will retain assistant general manager Kevin Abrams and director of football operations Ed Triggs.

In addition to assistant GM, Abrams also holds the title of vice president of football operations. It’s unclear if he’ll surrender each or both of those titles, but his actual role with the organization is unlikely to change.

Eventually, Schoen will bring in some executives he’s familiar with to pair with some holdovers, but that means more of a restructure than a full rebuild. Abrams and Triggs are well-respected in the organization and around the league.

In addition to Abrams and Triggs, the Giants also intend to retain defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, assuming he is not hired as the next Minnesota Vikings head coach.

As many things change, so many stay the same.

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Giants expected to keep Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator

The New York Giants are planning to retain defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who has generated interest around the league.

New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has once again generated interest around the league. He’s been approached as both a DC candidate as well as a head coaching candidate for the second consecutive season.

Despite that interest however, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Graham is likely to remain with the Giants in 2022 and potentially beyond. Unless, of course, he lands a head coaching job that fits his liking.

Newly hired Giants head coach Brian Daboll is familiar with Graham, having worked alongside him with the New England Patriots from 2013 through 2015. They also travel in very similar circles.

For Graham, returning makes sense. He’s well-respected in the locker room and throughout the organization, and maintains that coaching the Giants defense is his “dream job.”

“To me, the Giants, this is my dream job to be here as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. So I’m just happy to be here,” Graham told reporters in June.

“Goes back to my days at Notre Dame with [Giants co-director of player personnel] Tim McDonnell when I knew him, a lot of my mentors, the people that I learned football from had connection with the New York Giants. That’s important to me.”

And now it appears Graham will get at least one more year — if not more after signing an extension last season — at his dream job.

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Report: Giants’ Patrick Graham to interview with Vikings for HC job

New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will interview with the Minnesota Vikings for their head coaching job.

New York Giants assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will interview for the Minnesota Vikings’ head cashing vacancy this weekend.

Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News was the first to report the news.

Graham, the Giants’ defensive coordinator the past two seasons under head coach Joe Judge, interviewed for the Giants’ open head coaching position this week. However, he is not considered a a strong candidate.

Graham also reportedly had also expressed interest staying on with the Giants as defensive coordinator.

Under Graham, the Giants finished 12th in total defense in 2020 but fell to 21st this year. Aside from his two stints with the Giants, Graham has been an assistant in New England, Green Bay and Miami.

The Vikings dismissed her coach Mike Zimmer after the 2021 season. Zimmer went 72-56-1 over eight seasons in Minnesota and 2-3 in the postseason.

[listicle id=685144]