Ranking the New York Giants Coaching Staff: Ben McAdoo’s First Crew
By Mike Luca
5. Jeff Zgonina (Defensive Line Assistant)
The fact the Giants freshly instilled this position in the franchise’s coaching ranks shows they’re dedicated to sacking the opposing quarterback more than 23 times in any given season.
The fact the appointed man is former defensive lineman Zgonina further implies how serious McAdoo is in valuing and practicing player relations.
It’s a similar dynamic to Odell Beckham Jr. reuniting with Adam Henry (more on that soon) in the sense of reintroducing comfort and common ground to a struggling unit. From PR circus (albeit subdued) of Jason Pierre-Paul to the raw inexperience of Owamagbe Odighizuwa, the option to learn from and confide in someone who’s more recently been in your cleats is an invaluable tactic. It’s good to see New York give in to some of the NFL’s popularizing trends.
“Zgonina also believes lessons learned from working with Nook [in dog shows] such as patience and discipline will help him become an even better football coach because the same principles apply.” – Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez
Zgonina endured an admirably lengthy journeyman’s career—17 seasons as a defensive tackle. Suiting up for seven different teams may suggest instability and lack of productivity, but he earned his paychecks all the same. From 1999-2009 Zgonina only failed to play a full 16-game season twice, and the Super Bowl XXXIV ring doesn’t hurt his pedigree either.
His brief stint as coach (same title) rejoining the Houston Texans admittedly didn’t go smoothly. Consider it J.J. Watt’s off year (10.5 sacks, 4 FF, 7 PD) while the defense ranked No. 30 in sacks…just like the Giants in 2015.
Zgonina was a victim of the Gary Kubiak purge, but these familiar failures are things he and his players use to connect and build upon together.
As for his absence from football since…the added esteem from dog show competitions oddly enhances his case. Alex Marvez of Fox Sports noted earlier this month that the versatile switch in sports offered Zgonina a new perspective in patience and discipline.
He’ll surely dish those anecdotal treats throughout New York’s summer camps, and there’s nothing wrong with a pinch of pizzazz to round out the coaching staff hires. Zgonina and defensive line coach Patrick Graham call for the most excitement moving forward.
Next: Philly-ing a Void