The NY Giants’ offseason began on a positive note, as Patrick Graham re-signed as the team’s defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Tuesday
NY Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has re-signed to remain the team’s defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, foregoing interviewing for head coaching vacancies this hiring cycle, the Giants announced Tuesday.
In his first season with the Giants, joining head coach Joe Judge one year after serving as the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator under Brian Flores, Graham’s defense finished No. 12 in total defense and allowed just 22.3 points per game.
Graham’s unit overcame much adversity after edge rusher Lorenzo Carter was lost for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon and were forced to deploy a revolving door of cornerbacks opposite Pro Bowler James Bradberry.
Nevertheless, Graham became a coveted commodity as the head coaching carousel began to spin because of his ability to get his players to overachieve and his scheme kept the Giants competitive in games down the stretch, even powering upset victories over the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys.
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams produced a career-high 11.5 sacks in his first season playing for Graham, Blake Martinez finished with a team-high 103 tackles — the third most in the NFL, and Logan Ryan seamlessly made the transition from nickel cornerback to safety.
The New York Jets requested to interview Graham for their head coaching job, but Graham opted to return to his role with the Giants.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.